"The team at Stewarts are pleased to have secured for our client a judgment which fairly reflects the fact that the majority of the wealth in this case was non-marital, having been generated almost entirely by our client’s work prior to the marriage. The Court confirmed that title alone is no determiner of how assets should be divided upon divorce; such an approach risks discrimination and is contrary to fairness which underpins the ‘sharing’ principle. Title alone is insufficient evidence to permit a party to share in a non-marital asset. What is required is an intention to share and treatment of the asset as shared; on the proper analysis of the facts of this case there was neither. Divorcing couples across England and Wales now have clearer guidance on how their assets will be categorised upon divorce."

Lucy Stewart-Gould (Second Partner for Mr Standish)

Divorce and Family

"We are very grateful for the speed at which the Supreme Court reached this unanimous decision to reject the appeal of Mrs Standish against the largest ever reduction by the Court of Appeal to a divorce award. In 2021, Mr Standish offered to settle this case for £25m. The Court of Appeal in 2024 acceded to his appeal of the order of £45m made in 2022, whilst rejecting Mrs Standish’s attempts to achieve an even greater award at that time. The Supreme Court have now upheld the Court of Appeal’s determination of £25m, whilst accepting our arguments that the sharing principle should only apply to marital (as opposed to non-marital) assets. The Supreme Court has also provided essential guidance as to when assets which do not have an originating connection to the marriage partnership should be considered marital. This guidance will give the courts a clear framework to ensure individuals cannot benefit from running false arguments as to whether they had or had not agreed to share certain assets during the currency of their relationship. "

Sam Longworth (Lead Partner for Mr Standish)

Divorce and Family

"In White [2000] the House of Lords confirmed that the work of the ‘breadwinner’ and the ‘homemaker’ during a marriage should be treated equally upon divorce; reliance on which spouse owns an asset risks discrimination. In Miller/McFarlane [2006] the ‘sharing’ principle was established. "

Lucy Stewart-Gould (Second Partner for Mr Standish)

Divorce and Family

"For those who have amassed high levels of wealth, an understanding as to when their assets will be shared on divorce, and when they will not, is a priority. It is an area which regularly results in divorce disputes running into the tens of millions and beyond. Standish represents the critical next phase in the development of the law relating to asset division on divorce, a subject that impacts couples across England and Wales where around 40% of marriages end in divorce. "

Sam Longworth (Lead Partner for Mr Standish)

Divorce and Family

"The team are highly sought after by ultra-high net worth individuals to advise on complex financial and children matters."

Chambers

Divorce and Family

"This impressive team handles a broad range of work, including international divorces, marital wealth disputes and private law matters concerning children."

Chambers

Divorce and Family

"This is undoubtedly the premier family law team in the country"

The Legal 500

Divorce and Family

"Quick to grasp issues arising from complex trust issues in divorce proceedings and incisive and robust advice resulting in satisfactory outcome with full protection of trust assets. Immediate attention and access on all occasions with very thorough and methodical approach to disclosure requirements and presentation of information."

The Legal 500

Divorce and Family

"I found the firm to be, in a word, brilliant. Their case management was superb, their legal analysis first rate, and the overall service that they provided to the client absolutely impeccable."

The Legal 500

Divorce and Family