header-logo header-logo

Fair shares?

21 June 2007 / Nicholas E Starks
Issue: 7278 / Categories: Features , Divorce , Family
printer mail-detail

Does Charman v Charman mean farewell to the yardstick of equality? asks Nicholas Starks

Charman v Charman [2006] EWHC 1879 (Fam), [2006] All ER (D) 32 (Aug), a decision of Mr Justice Coleridge, was the first reported case to consider the ramifications of the House of Lords’ decision in Miller v Miller; McFarlane v McFarlane [2006] UKHL 24, [2006] 3 All ER 1. It also involved the largest reported award (£48m) in an ancillary relief case. Central to the case was the issue of “stellar contributions”: given a 27-year marriage—to which the wife had fully contributed—and huge assets—£131m, generated by the singular talent of the husband—should the court depart from equality of division to reflect the husband’s wealth generation and, if so, how far?

The appeal of Coleridge J’s decision was handed down on 24 May 2007 ([2007] EWCA Civ 503, [2007] All ER (D) 425 (May)), on the anniversary of the Lords’ decision in Miller; McFarlane. The Court of Appeal has abandoned the pretence of a yardstick of equality and heralded in a

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll