City banker wins landmark civil partnership appeal

An equity analyst has won an appeal after challenging the way a High Court judge divided assets between his former civil partner and himself. Peter Lawrence, who had separated from his partner Don Gallagher, felt that the joint assets – estimated to be worth more than £4 million – were not handed out equally. He took his legal argument to the Court of Appeal where three judges considered his challenge following a hearing in London earlier this month. It is believed to be the first time that judges from this court have adjudicated following a separation between a couple in a civil partnership. In 2011 after the initial hearing in the family division of the High Court, Mrs Justice Parker decided that West End actor Mr Gallagher should receive approximately £1.7 million. However, Lord Justice Thorpe, Lord Justice Moses and Mr Justice Ryder said the award given to Mr Gallagher’s should be reduced by more than £200,000. Mrs Justice Parker also said that the pair, who were in a civil partnership for just seven months, should receive one house each – although one property had a higher value than the other. As a result Mr Gallagher was also given a lump sum of £577,778 to “reflect the disparity” in the house prices. The appeal judges considered the lump sum award to be too much and advised that it should be brought down to £350,000. Our Family and Matrimonial team helps clients across West London and Bucks, and can advise on dissolving civil partnerships. For advice, contact a member of the team: call us on 01494 790000 or email familylaw@ibblaw.co.uk.