What the Standish Divorce Case could mean for your money in a marriage

A high-profile divorce case, Standish v Standish, is currently being reviewed by the UK Supreme Court—and it could change how courts decide who gets what when a marriage ends.

What’s the Case about?

Clive Standish, a wealthy former banker, and his wife Anna were married for over a decade. In 2017, Clive transferred £77 million worth of assets to Anna, saying it was part of a plan to set up a trust for their children. But the trust was never created. When they divorced in 2020, the big question was: Did that transfer make the money part of their shared marital assets—or was it still Clive’s?

Why it matters

In divorce cases, UK courts usually divide marital assets—things like the family home, joint savings, or anything built up during the marriage. But non-marital assets, like money or property one person had before the marriage, are often treated differently.

The original judge said the £77 million had become part of the marital pot, and Anna was awarded £45 million. But in 2024, the Court of Appeal disagreed. They said just transferring the money didn’t mean Clive intended to share it as part of the marriage. Anna’s award was cut to £25 million.

Now, the Case is in the hands of the Supreme Court, and their decision could set a new standard for how these situations are handled.

What could change?

The Supreme Court is looking at two big questions:

1. If you give your spouse a large gift, does that automatically become shared marital property?
2. Should courts focus more on where the money came from, or how it was used during the marriage?

What this means for you

Even if you’re not a millionaire, the outcome of this Case could affect:

- Prenuptial agreements: These might become more important for protecting personal assets.
- Gifts between spouses: The ruling could clarify whether big gifts are truly “shared” or not.
- Estate planning: If you’re thinking about setting up trusts or transferring assets, this Case shows how important it is to follow through with legal steps.

What’s next?

The Supreme Court heard the Case in April and May 2025, and a decision is expected later this year. Whatever the outcome, it will likely shape how courts across the UK handle financial disputes in divorce for years to come.