The law applying at the end of adult relationships

Author: Sarah Harvie-Clark

PDF Published: Tuesday 17 Dec 2024 (SB 24-58)

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Overview
Report

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Overview
Report
- Executive Summary
- Introduction and overview
  - The choice between marriage, civil partnership or living together - and its legal consequences
- Divorce and dissolution
  - Key sources of law
  - The role of private negotiations
  - Key features of the court process
  - Types of court procedure used in divorce or dissolution
    
    The simplified procedure
  - Grounds for divorce or dissolution
    
    Interim gender recognition certificate
    
    Irretrievable breakdown
  - The couple's property and finances
    
    Legally binding agreements
    
    Separation agreements
    
    Prenuptial agreements
    
    The court's power to set aside legally binding agreements
    
    The Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985
    
    Matrimonial or partnership property
    
    The two-stage test
    
    The principles applied by the court
    
    Principle 1: fair sharing of matrimonial or partnership property
    
    Net value
    
    Fair sharing
    
    Principle 2: economic advantages and disadvantages
    
    Principle 3: caring for children under 16
    
    Principle 4: period of adjustment
    
    Principle 5: avoiding serious financial hardship
    
    The conduct of the spouses or civil partners
    
    Possible court orders under the 1985 Act
    
    Orders for transfer of property and orders for payment of a capital sum
    
    Order for the payment of a periodical allowance
    
    Orders relating to pensions
    
    Pension sharing orders
    
    Pension capital sums: earmarking orders
    
    Pension compensation
    
    Incidental orders
- The end of a cohabiting relationship
  - Key sources of law
  - Legally binding agreements
  - Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006
    
    A financial claim for cohabitants
    
    Who may make a financial claim?
    
    Time limit for making a financial claim
    
    Types of court order
    
    Economic advantages and disadvantages
    
    Household goods
    
    Certain savings and property
  - The couple's home and other land and buildings - the role of property law
  - Unjustified enrichment
- Resolving disputes without going to court
  - Family mediation
  - Collaborative law
  - Arbitration
- Advice and support for constituents
  - Legal advice
  - Alternative dispute resolution
Sources

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Last Updated: 14/3 6:20am

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