Lawrence v Gallagher Analysis: Roopa Ahluwalia, Senior Solicitor, IBB Solicitors

On the 29 of March 2012 the Court of Appeal handed down its first judgment in an appeal concerning a financial settlement in a civil partnership (see Lawrence v Gallagher [2012] EWCA Civ 394).

The two parties were a 47 year old city analyst (Mr Lawrence) earning a significant income and a 54 year old actor (Mr Gallagher). The couple commenced cohabitation in 1997 for 11 years prior to entering into the civil partnership at the end of 2007. The civil partnership lasted less than a year.

At the time this matter was heard in court Mr Gallagher was appearing in a West End show earning an income of £100 000 pa. Mr Lawrence earned a high income and owned a flat (Clink Wharf) valued at roughly £650 000 at the time the parties entered into cohabitation. This was mortgaged to a level of just over £180 000. There were also some savings and a pension. Whilst the parties lived rather separate financial lives there was an element of lending from Mr Lawrence to Mr Gallagher as...

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