Financial Remedy – Plain English Guide

This guide explains financial remedy in plain English, including how judges apply the principles of needs, sharing and (rarely) compensation. It also covers what factors courts weigh, what changes in high-value cases, and the main orders a court can make.

The financial settlement — known as “financial remedy” — determines how property,
income, pensions and other assets are shared.
This guide explains the legal principles and how judges approach fairness.

The three principles are:

Needs

Primary focus — housing, income, security.

Sharing

Assets built during marriage are shared equally unless there is good reason otherwise.

Compensation

For lost career opportunities (rare).

WHAT JUDGES LOOK AT

Income & earning capacity
Property and assets
Standard of living
Children’s needs
Contributions
Age & health

HIGH-VALUE CASES

Judges consider:

Non-matrimonial property
Pre/post-nups
Offshore assets
Businesses
Inheritance

ORDERS AVAILABLE

Lump sum
Property adjustment
Pension sharing
Spousal maintenance
Clean break

KEY QUESTIONS

What are my needs?
Which assets are matrimonial?
Do I need expert valuations?

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