’With some of my worldly goods I thee endow’

Following the decisions in Parlour and McFarlane (23/LL p90) interest has been revived in pre-nuptial settlements. According to the Solicitor’s Journal of 1 October research undertaken by Dawsons show that the UK is one of the few members of the EU in which pre-marital contracts are not enforceable. With the exception of Ireland, most major EU countries allow pre-nuptial agreements in some measure, subject to restrictions and limitations. They are particularly attractive to those who are remarrying after a painfully expensive divorce and those whose wealth substantially exceeds that of their betrothed. A topical example was the pre-nuptial agreement between golfer Tiger Woods and his nanny bride.