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Standish v Standish: Supreme Court Hears Landmark Divorce Case on Pre-Marital Wealth
April 30, 2025
Today, the Supreme Court is hearing the high-profile case of Standish v Standish, a pivotal moment in family law that could redefine how pre-marital wealth and transfers between spouses are treated during divorce settlements.
Clive Standish, a retired UBS banker, and his former wife, Anna Standish, married in 2005 and initiated divorce proceedings in 2020. Central to their dispute is a £77 million transfer Clive made to Anna in 2017 as part of a tax planning strategy intended for their children. The plan to settle these assets into a trust was never finalised, leading to legal contention over their classification.
Initially, the High Court deemed the transferred assets as matrimonial property, awarding Anna £45 million. However, the Court of Appeal reversed this decision in May 2024, ruling that the assets remained Clive’s non-matrimonial property and reducing Anna’s award to £25 million. This significant reduction has led Anna to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Implications
This case is the most significant examination of marital asset division by the Supreme Court in nearly two decades, following landmark cases like White v White (2000) and Miller v McFarlane (2006). The outcome could influence how pre-marital wealth and spousal gifts are treated in divorces, potentially affecting estate planning and asset protection strategies for high-net-worth individuals.
The Supreme Court’s decision will be closely watched for its potential to reshape the landscape of family law.
Written by
Ana-Maria Munteanu