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Dividing Wealth on Divorce: Why Standish v Standish Matters to You

May 29, 2025

On 30th April and 1st May 2025, the Supreme Court heard the case of Standish v Standish – a high-profile divorce case that could change how wealth is divided in future divorces across England and Wales.

The Issue of Non-Matrimonial Property

The appeal case arises from proceedings brought under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 for the division of assets upon divorce. The couple married in 2005 and have two children. The husband made his fortune before they married and retired in 2007. During the marriage, the wife stayed at home to raise the children. In 2017, the husband transferred around £80 million to her (from assets that had originally been part of the husband’s non-matrimonial property), expecting it to be placed in a trust. However, when the couple divorced in 2020, the money was still in her name.

Here is where the issue begins. The wife argued that the assets should be considered part of the marital pot and split equally. The husband disagreed, insisting the money was his and was only transferred for tax purposes.

The High Court originally agreed with the wife, but the Court of Appeal later sided with the husband, slashing her award from £66 million to £20 million, marking the biggest ever reduction of a divorce award in English legal history.

Now, the Supreme Court will decide: should pre-marital or gifted wealth be shared on divorce? Or should it remain with the original owner?

Why Does This Matter to You?

The updated decision from the Supreme Court could change how courts treat pre-marriage assets, inheritances, and gifts in divorce cases. If you’ve built up wealth before marriage or want to protect your assets, a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement might soon become more important than ever.

No matter the outcome, this case highlights one key message, if you want to protect what’s yours, planning ahead is essential.

Our family law solicitors can provide guidance and support in navigating the complexities of Family and Child Law.

 

Related Articles:

How are Complex Assets or Businesses Handled in a High-net-worth Divorce?

Why a Prenuptial Agreement Could Be a Smart Choice for Your Marriage

 

This blog post is not intended to be taken as advice or acted upon. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our team of solicitors.

Written by: Gowsigan Gnanakumaran

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