The Importance of Full and Frank Disclosure in Divorce Settlements

 

The Supreme Court has handed down judgments in the cases of Sharland v Sharland [2015] UKSC 60 and Gohil v Gohil [2015] UKSC 61.

 

The rulings highlight the importance of spouses providing full and frank financial disclosure to ensure a fair financial settlement.  It sends out a firm message to everyone going through  divorce that they cannot mislead or lie in the family courts and expect to get away with it. Dishonesty or fraud involving failure to disclose financial assets are grounds for renegotiating previously resolved disagreements.  The rulings are likely to prompt some aggrieved ex-spouses to reconsider final orders and to start legal actions.

 

Both women in the above cases took their claims to the Supreme Court in London to establish that non-disclosure in divorce settlements requires a case to be re-examined. Their ex-husbands disagreed.

 

For details of the cases and full text of the Supreme Court’s judgments, please click here.

 

 

To discuss the impact the above decisions may have upon you if you are already divorced, or in the process of divorce, contact Katie Ward or Hardip Lall-Jones in our Family Department via enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk  or 0121 449 5050.

 

 

We offer a free, no obligation, half hour appointment to discuss whatever family issues you have and also to consider the most appropriate cost package available.