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The application of the 'sharing principle' to big money divorces is more than a matter of simple mathematics, and what family judges aim to achieve is a broadly fair outcome for both sides. That was certainly so in one case in which the Court of Appeal refused to increase an ex-wife's £73 million award. The former couple had two children who had grown to adulthood during their 26-year marriage and, by the time of their divorce, their overall wealth was valued at £182 million. By far their largest asset was...

Many people employ carers or cleaners to assist them with daily living. Quite often, such arrangements are informal and can last many years. However, failing to put them on a proper footing can prove to be an expensive mistake. Where an agency is used and different people come to do the work, there is normally no problem. The worker is either employed by the agency or is self-employed. However, in some situations, a daily help who works regularly for an agreed salary can be deemed to be an employee – i.e....

With significant losses being reported in 'pension transfer scams', it is no surprise that when the administrators of a pension scheme receive a request to transfer a pension to a new scheme, they are expected to conduct an appropriate due diligence process. However, the trustees are also under a duty not to procrastinate over the transfer. The combination of obligations recently led to a decision by the Pensions Ombudsman in favour of a man whose transfer of his self-invested personal pension was delayed several months when the scheme administrators engaged...

You may have good reasons for writing close relatives out of your will but, as any lawyer will tell you, the consequence of doing so can be family discord after you are gone. That was certainly so in one case concerning a father who disinherited his daughter by his first marriage. The man's will left the whole of his estate to his second wife and appointed her and one of his nieces as his executors. In a statement attached to the will he explained that he was leaving nothing to...