Location

divorce

Protecting what’s yours: The Supreme Court reviews Standish

For high-net-worth individuals, one of the most pressing questions in a divorce is ‘what part of my wealth is mine to keep?’. This is the central issue in the case of Standish v Standish, currently awaiting a decision from the UK Supreme Court.

At the heart of the matter is how the courts treat non-matrimonial property, wealth brought into the marriage or acquired independently, such as inherited family money, pre-marital business interests, or trusts. The question is ‘when, if ever, does this become subject to sharing?’

The Standish background

The husband in Standish had brought considerable wealth into the marriage. This included interests in a longstanding family business, which had grown significantly during the marriage. The wife argued that, because of the marriage’s duration and the way their lives had become financially entwined, this non-matrimonial wealth should be shared.

The Court of Appeal found largely in the husband’s favour. They held that non-matrimonial property doesn’t automatically become subject to the sharing principle,a legal concept that says matrimonial assets should usually be divided equally, just because a marriage is long or the couple has a shared lifestyle.

The wife has now appealed to the Supreme Court.

Why this matters

The Standish case could redefine how wealth protection is approached in English divorce law, particularly for business owners, entrepreneurs, or anyone with inherited or pre-marital assets.

Right now, the law distinguishes between:

  • Matrimonial property: Typically built up during the marriage and usually shared equally.
  • Non-matrimonial property: Brought into the marriage or received independently, and not always shared.

The question the Supreme Court must now address is ‘how and when does non-matrimonial property lose its protected status?’.  Is mere passage of time enough? Or must there be some clear act of integration, such as using the wealth for family homes, joint investments, or lifestyle?

What you should know

While we await the final judgment, the Standish appeal is a reminder that ring-fencing wealth in divorce is possible, but not automatic.

If you have pre-marital or inherited wealth:

  • Keep clear records of the source and use of your assets.
  • Take legal advice early, especially if you’re contemplating marriage or going through divorce.
  • Consider tools like pre or post nuptial agreements.

Whether you are going through a divorce or getting married and have significant personal or family wealth, seeking advice early on can make all the difference. Please contact Naim Qureshi, Senior Associate in our Family and Divorce team for a confidential conversation about how we can help protect what matters to you. Call 01494 781356 or email naim.qureshi@blasermills.co.uk.

Sadie Glover joins as Partner and Head of Family and Divorce

Blaser Mills is delighted to announce that Sadie Glover, a highly regarded family lawyer with over 20 years of practice, has joined the firm as Partner and Head of Family and Divorce.

With experience in both London and regional law firms, Sadie advises in relation to all aspects of family law, with a particular emphasis on complex financial and private law children’s cases. She is known for being practical, approachable, and genuinely supportive, guiding clients through their legal journey with compassion and care.

Sadie is also a qualified family Mediator, committed to helping clients find long term solutions following, separation with a view to avoiding the emotional and financial cost of litigation.

Sadie is a published author. Her book, A Practical Guide to Short Marriages for Family Lawyers, was published in 2022. The second edition was published in April 2025, co-authored with Philip Perrins and Beth Hibbert. Sadie is also a strong advocate for the legal recognition of pets in divorce and separation, regularly handling cases where their welfare is a key issue. As a member of the Working Group for Pets on Divorce and Separation she campaigns for changes in the law to reflect the growing recognition that pets are more than mere possessions.

Sadie will be based in our Marlow office, providing support to clients across all our locations. She is looking forward to working closely with the team and building on the firm’s strong connections within the local communities.

She takes over the role as Head of Family and Divorce from Lucinda Holliday. Lucinda, who led the department with care and commitment, remains an important part of the firm in a consultancy role and will continue to offer her expertise through her mediation practice.

Alexandra Kirk, Partner and Head of People services commented: ‘We are excited to welcome Sadie to Blaser Mills. Her wealth of experience and empathetic approach makes her an excellent fit to lead our Family and Divorce team. We are confident she will bring tremendous value to our clients and colleagues, and we look forward to supporting her in this exciting new chapter.’

Sadie Glover added: ‘I am delighted to be joining Blaser Mills as Partner and Head of Family and Divorce. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a dynamic and growing team, within a progressive firm that shares my commitment to delivering strategic, compassionate, and results-driven advice to clients. I look forward to building on the strong reputation of Blaser Mills and working with my colleagues to achieve the best possible outcomes for all our clients.’