Court battle questions discrimination on mums whose careers have suffered
The region’s leading law firm has said a Court of Appeal battle brought by the ex-wife of a wealthy accountant, could lead to more women battling over the money of their ex-husbands.
Kathryn Hicklin, head of family law at QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank said that the case of Julia Hammans, who is battling millionaire Nicholas Hammans is being eagerly watched by family lawyers throughout the land.
When the couple married in the 1980s Mrs Hammans, then a financial director of a company, earned a comparable salary to her then husband.
However, in the years whilst she gave up work to raise a family, her husband’s career flourished and he now earns almost £1m a year, whilst her income is less than a tenth of his and now she says she is being forced to sell the family home, which she has lived in since they split a decade ago.
In her legal challenge she claims the settlement was an unfair divide of the family wealth.
Earlier this year a judge ordered she sell her £1.75m London home to help part fund her future after she had fought for another £2.6m from her ex-husband and was given just £400,000.
“This is a classic case of a bright high flying woman giving up a career to raise a family, relying on her husband and then the marriage going wrong and her being left starting a new life with her spending power less than what she was used to,” said Ms Hicklin, whose firm have offices in both Coalville and Hinckley.
“It’s generally the way that the woman suffers financially, but regardless of how the judges rule, this whole subject is a difficult one, as each individual situation is different but it raises questions about mums whose careers have suffered to bring up a family,” she added.
“The division of finances following divorce is a contentious issue, and I’m sure we will be hearing a lot more about this.
The judges will give their ruling on the case at a future date not yet decided.
If you want to discuss family law issues or any other legal matter contact QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank on 01530 510666.
