In this week's issue of NLJ, Emma Brunning and Dharshica Thanarajasingham of Birketts unpack the high-conflict financial remedy case TF v SF [2025] EWHC 1659 (Fam). The husband’s conduct—described by the judge as a ‘masterclass in gaslighting’—included hiding a £9.5m deferred payment from the sale of a port acquired post-separation. Despite his claims that the port was non-matrimonial, the court found its value rooted in marital assets and efforts
The wife was awarded 43% of total assets, including 40% of the port proceeds. The judge penalised the husband’s obstructive behaviour with cost orders and asset valuation adjustments.
Notably, the trial embraced tech-savvy management, using tablets for bundles to streamline proceedings. The judgment offers a cautionary tale on disclosure failures and a pragmatic view on litigation costs, which reached £1.44m—deemed proportionate given the case’s complexity.
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