NLJ this week: 40% penalty for coercive control

In a striking financial remedies ruling, the High Court cut a wife’s award by 40% for coercive and controlling behaviour. Writing in NLJ this week, Chris Bryden and Nicole Wallace of 4 King’s Bench Walk analyse LP v MP [2025] EWFC 473

Mr Justice Cusworth held that even where loss is not ‘easily measurable’, it may still be unfair to ignore the financial impact of abuse.

The decision challenges the traditionally strict requirement for clearly quantifiable loss and blurs the line between emotional harm and economic consequence. Whether this marks a ‘new era’ or a fork in the road for conduct arguments remains to be seen.

Issue: 8152 / Categories: Legal News , Family , Divorce , Abuse

The cost of conduct

NLJ this week: 40% penalty for coercive control

Mr Justice Cusworth held that even where loss is not ‘easily measurable’, it may still be unfair to ignore the financial impact of abuse.

Issue: 8152 / Categories: Legal News , Family , Divorce , Abuse

The cost of conduct

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NLJ this week: 40% penalty for coercive control

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: John McElroy, London Solicitors Litigation Association

Clarke Willmott—Elaine Field

Birketts—Barbara Hamilton-Bruce

NLJ Career Profile: John McElroy, London Solicitors Litigation Association