British court ruling boosts validity of pre-nuptial deals

BRITAIN’S Supreme Court yesterday ruled in favour of a German heiress seeking to protect her considerable fortune from her ex-husband – a decision that gives new strength to pre-nuptial agreements in England.

The ruling marks a potential turning point in the legal battle over pre-nuptial agreements in England, where courts have generally refused to recognise them as valid, binding agreements.

Nicholas Phillips, president of the Supreme Court, said the judges decided by an 8-1 margin to let stand an earlier Appeals Court ruling that the pre-nuptial agreement in this case was fair and should be applied.