Judgment on AF v GF [2024] EWHC 3478 (Fam) is now available on BAILII with both parties represented by members of 1 Hare Court Chambers.
Deborah Bangay KC and Georgina Howitt instructed by Natalie Simone Lemonides of RWK Goodman were for the applicant.
Richard Sear KC instructed by Sarah Hoskinson of Burges Salmon LLP was for the respondent.
The court considered whether H’s interests in three investment advisory companies, one of which was founded prior to the marriage, had been matrimonialised by way of W’s role as Managing Director.
Geoffrey Kingscote KC, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge, was faced with competing expert business valuations.
Considering the principles set down in Standish v Standish [2024] EWCA Civ 567 in relation to matrimonialisation, the judge found that the pre-marital company should be included within the sharing principle, notwithstanding that W had excluded it entirely in her first open proposal, and was divided 75:25 in favour of H.
The second and third companies, founded during the relationship, were found to have been fully matrimonialised.
Judgment can be found here.
