Lawrence v Gallagher [2012] EWCA Civ 394 – playing a straight bat in civil partnership appeals?

Abstract

The Court of Appeal judgment in Lawrence v Gallagher is the first consideration of financial orders on the breakdown of a civil partnership. The case suggests that there is no difference between marriage and civil partnership in this respect, both as to the exercise of the judicial discretion and as to the willingness of the Court of Appeal to interfere with that discretion.

Keywords:

• civil partnership
• dissolution
• financial orders
• appeals

Acknowledgements

The title of this article was inspired by Joanna Miles, with whom I have had a number of instructive discussions about Lawrence, but she bears no responsibility for the views expressed here, which are mine alone.