Parra v Parra - Big money cases, judicial discretion and equality of division [2003] CFLQ 205

In Parra v Parra the Court of Appeal examines the extent of the court's discretion under section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 in big money cases following earlier decisions in White, Cowan and Lambert among others. The Court of Appeal places greater emphasis in this case on formal equality of division, based on the couple's past agreement, rather than on undertaking a full section 25 exercise. The implications of this decision are discussed with reference to different models of equality and stereotypes of gender roles.