Just how binding are Pre-nuptial Agreements in the British Courts? Well a recent ruling of the High Court on a French ‘pre-nuptial agreement’ pretty much spells it out. The case involved a wealthy French couple who married in France in 1994, having entered into a pre-nuptial agreement. The couple moved to London and sometime later got divorced, during which the split of the family assets (which amounted to £15 million) needed to be decided, and that’s where the arguing started, according to Nick Bell a Partner at Winchester based solicitors Shentons: ” The wife claimed that the pre-nup should be ignored and the assets should be shared equally, with a maintenance agreement for £40,000 per year for each of their three children. The husband argued that the assets should be split according to the terms of the pre-nuptial agreement, with a smaller maintenance payment.” Continue reading →
From last week’s budget the Government began its effort to crush stamp duty land tax (SDLT) avoidance. Those buying residential properties worth £2m plus under the cover of a company in an attempt to avoid SDLT will face a wincingly high charge of 15 per cent. That’s £300k for a £2m property.
The Government appears to be serious; according to Robert Kerr a Partner at Winchester based solicitors Shentons: “The Government has said it has doubled the number of staff working on tax avoidance at HMRC and I can see why. Any transactions claiming exemption from SDLT will now have to be much more carefully scrutinised”. Continue reading →
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Shentons are delighted to welcome Jonathan Whettingsteel, who has joined the Family Department as a Solicitor. We wish him all the best with his career at the firm.
We were pleased to lend our support to a Quiz & Curry Night organised by local charity Simon Says on 27th March. Shentons sent along 3 teams, with the ‘Vindaloo’ team being the most highly placed of the three. Congratulations to Simon Says and the Concorde Club for organising such a successful event; everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
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