Hartnell Chanot: Divorce/Family Law Solicitors Exeter, Devon

Pre-nuptial victory for heiress could open floodgates for local courts

Friday, 03 July 2009 10:00

A landmark ruling over a pre-nuptial agreement could pave the way for them to become commonplace in the UK.

One of Germany's richest women claimed victory yesterday in her bid to get a pre-nuptial agreement recognised in the English Courts, overturning an earlier decision which awarded her ex-husband £5.6m of her £100m fortune despite their agreement.

Norman Hartnell, Family Solicitor at Hartnell Chanot & Partners commented "This case could have wide ranging implications on the use of pre-nuptial agreements by couples when entering into marriage, and we could see them becoming more routine ."

"In many other countries, pre-nuptial agreements are regularly enforced by the courts but in England and Wales, pre-nuptial agreements are only one of many factors that the courts take into account and are subject to the court's wide ranging discretion. Now, in a landmark judgment, three of the most highly-respected judges in the land have ruled that pre-nuptial agreements can be decisive in determining the financial division on divorce. This is a significant decision that could pave the way for them to become more popular in England and Wales".

Anyone wishing to find out more about Pre-nuptial agreements should contact Norman Hartnell on 01392 421777

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