Sharp proves exception to the equal sharing principle

A former wife has successfully challenged a ruling that her ex-husband should get half of the fortune she built up during their marriage.

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In Sharp v Sharp [2017] EWCA Civ 408  [2017] All ER (D) 74 (Jun) the Court of Appeal heard that both parties earned around £100 000 during their 6-year relationship but the wife a trader received bonuses worth £10.5m. The couple in their early 40s with no children had matrimonial assets of £5.45m at the time of the divorce.

The High Court awarded the husband capital worth £2.75m. Ms Sharp appealed. Lord Justice McFarlane giving the lead ruling noted that the principle that the matrimonial assets of a divorcing couple should normally be shared between them on an equal basis...