GO v YA

GO v YA

Given the long marriage, equal sharing is the starting point, but the husband's business is illiquid and difficult to value precisely. The court accepts the SJE's valuation methodology (due to lack of challenge) but applies a cautious approach, setting the business value at £13,000,000 (with a 7-year staggered sale assumption), applies a 30% tax discount, and awards the wife a discounted lump sum (£3,100,000 total) to reflect risk and liquidity, with a fallback order for sale if payment is not made. Periodical payments are ordered until capital division is complete, after which a clean break will apply.

Parties
Applicant: GO; Respondent: YA
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
02 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Financial Remedies (matrimonial) / Final Judgment After Contested Hearing
Outcome
Final financial remedy order: lump sum payments, periodical payments, and fallback order for sale of business shares.
Legal Topics
Financial Remedies, Asset Valuation, Division of Matrimonial Property, Clean Break, Periodical Payments, Business Valuation, Section 25 Matrimonial Causes Act 1973
Family Law Financial Remedies Asset Valuation Division of Matrimonial Property Clean Break Periodical Payments Business Valuation Section 25 Matrimonial Causes Act 1973

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Parties

GO

Applicant

YA

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Financial Remedies (matrimonial) / Final Judgment After Contested Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 How to fairly value and divide the husband's art business and other assets between the parties after a long marriage
  2. 2 Whether to order lump sum payments, periodical payments, or a sale of the business to achieve fairness
  3. 3 How to account for liquidity, risk, and tax in the division of assets

Ratio Decidendi

Given the long marriage, equal sharing is the starting point, but the husband's business is illiquid and difficult to value precisely. The court accepts the SJE's valuation methodology (due to lack of challenge) but applies a cautious approach, setting the business value at £13,000,000 (with a 7-year staggered sale assumption), applies a 30% tax discount, and awards the wife a discounted lump sum (£3,100,000 total) to reflect risk and liquidity, with a fallback order for sale if payment is not made. Periodical payments are ordered until capital division is complete, after which a clean break will apply.

Court Disposition

Final financial remedy order: lump sum payments, periodical payments, and fallback order for sale of business shares.

Orders

  • Husband to pay wife £100,000 within 14 days and £3,000,000 by 1 December 2025 as lump sums.
  • If the second lump sum is not paid, all shares in the business to be sold and net proceeds divided equally.