Woman wins payout for stymied career in landmark divorce case

February 28: A London woman who “sacrificed” her career as a solicitor so she could look after her children has won compensation on top of an equal share of the family’s wealth after her divorce.

The ruling of the High Court of England and Wales could have implications for other divorce cases in which one partner has stepped back from their career for the good of the family, a lawyer said.

The Cambridge graduate was embroiled in a fight over cash with her millionaire husband, who is also a solicitor, after the breakdown of their marriage.

A judge has decided that the pair, who were married for about a decade and have two children, should split assets of nearly £10 million equally but that the woman should get another £400,000 in compensation for curtailing her legal career.

Justice Philip Drury Moor said there had been “relationship-generated disadvantage” as the husband was still able to enjoy a “stellar” career.

Details of the case emerged in a ruling produced by Moor after a recent private family court trial in London. He said the couple, who live in London and are both in their 40s, could not be identified in media reports.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/feb/28/woman-wins-compensation-for-stymied-career-in-landmark-divorce-case