Date of Case: 25 February 2020
Case Reference: [2020] EWHC 466

Marina Faggionato acted on behalf of the applicant, and Lucy Stone QC led Joe Rainer for the respondent, in cross-applications for financial provision following the breakdown of a marriage. The parties met when they were both working as solicitors in the same law firm. Subsequently, the wife left legal practice to enable her to look after the parties’ children. Upon the breakdown of the marriage, she made a claim for compensation for relationship generated disadvantage. Moor J awarded her £400,000 as compensation for the fact that she had had a ‘very good chance’ of becoming a partner at the firm and had lost the chance of high remuneration.

The Judge emphasised that a finding of relationship-generated disadvantage is exceptional, saying “I continue to be of the view that such cases will be very much the exception rather than the rule. It is rare to be able to make the findings of fact that I have made in this case.” By the standards of the case, it was only a relatively modest additional award that was awarded as compensation.

Bailii report: https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2020/466.html

Judgment in Family Law Week: https://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed211270