Big money/short marriage

Miller v Miller [2005] EWCA Civ 984

The husband was an exceptionally successful fund manager and a high earner, whereas the wife had worked during the first couple of years of the marriage, but later devoted her attention to refurbishing a holiday home in their joint names. At the outset of the divorce proceedings the wife had declared that she would not rely on s25(2)(g) of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (behaviour) in her claim for ancillary relief, yet the trial judge had investigated the circumstances of the marriage and its breakdown and had indicated in his judgment that he accepted the wife’s account that the husband was to blame for the breakdown. The judge had resolved that a fair outcome was for the wife’s half-share of the villa to go to the husband, but that she should have the London home valued at £2.3m together with a lump sum of £2.7m.