Short marriage

Fallon v Fallon [2008] CA (Civ Div) 20 November. LSG 4 December p 16; SJ 2 December p 29

Following their marriage, the parties had occupied the husband’s local authority flat of which the husband acquired the right to buy shortly afterwards. The parties lived together and had two children, but separated four years later. The husband remained in the property and exercised his right to buy. He then sold it at an advantageous figure which, with a family loan, he used to buy another property. The wife was rehoused in local authority accommodation. In due course, the wife issued an application for ancillary relief. She was awarded a lump sum of £75,000, nominal periodical payments and an endowment policy was transferred to her.