‘A Practical Guide to Short Marriages for Family Lawyers – Second Edition’ by Sadie Glover, Philip Perrins, Beth Hibbert

Description

This second edition of the book offers comprehensive guidance on calculating the duration of a marriage, the application of the needs, sharing and compensation principles in short marriage cases, and how the issues of housing, maintenance, pensions, and agreements may be considered following the breakdown of a short marriage.

There is a comprehensive analysis of the updating authorities since the first edition, as well as further consideration of the more historical cases. The following topics are covered:

• How to assess the length of a marriage
• Needs
• Sharing
• Compensation
• Housing
• Income Needs / Maintenance
• Pensions
• Agreements

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Sadie Glover is a Family Law Partner and Mediator based in South Buckinghamshire. Her practice encompasses all aspects of family law, with a particular emphasis on complex financial remedy and children matters. She recently acted in the published decisions of M v F [2024] EWFC 393 and M v F [2024] EWFC 393 (No 2) (costs), instructing Beth.

Sadie regularly delivers training for MBL Ltd, one of the country’s leading CPD providers. She is also a committed and active member of Resolution, sitting as Secretary to the Buckinghamshire and Berkshire Regional Committee.

Philip Perrins is a specialist matrimonial finance barrister at 1GC | Family Law with expertise in international cases, including disputed divorce jurisdiction, forum disputes, Part III applications, and marital status cases. He recently acted in Boughajdim v Hayoukane (Validity of Foreign Marriage) [2022] EWHC 2673 (Fam), J v A [2023] EWFC 132 (jurisdiction and forum dispute), Mahtani v Mahtani (Validity of Foreign Divorce) [2023] EWHC 2988 (Fam) and, with Beth, in Mahtani v Mahtani (No. 2) (Adverse Inferences) [2025] EWFC 35 (Fam). He is often instructed in cases involving third party claims, having appeared in the leading case of Fisher Meredith v JH and PH [2012] 2 FLR 536.

Philip is also qualified arbitrator and conducts arbitrations under the IFLA Scheme, as well as sitting as pFDR evaluator.

Beth Hibbert is a specialist family barrister at 1GC | Family Law, instructed on cases across the full spectrum of family law, with a growing reputation in financial remedies work. She was recently instructed by Sadie in the published cases of M v F [2024] EWFC 393 and M v F [2024] EWFC 393 (No 2) (costs) and appeared with Philip in Mahtani v Mahtani (No. 2) (Adverse Inferences) [2025] EWFC 35 (Fam), in which court made a lump sum order in favour of the wife of £13.9m having drawn adverse inferences as to the likely extent of the husband’s wealth due to his non-engagement and non-disclosure.

CONTENTS

Chapter One – Introduction: What Is a Short Marriage and Why Is It Relevant?
Chapter Two – How to Assess the Length of a Marriage
Chapter Three – Needs in a Short Marriage Case
Chapter Four – Sharing in a Short Marriage Case
Chapter Five – Compensation in a Short Marriage Case
Chapter Six – Housing in a Short Marriage Case
Chapter Seven – Income Needs / Spousal Maintenance in a Short Marriage Case
Chapter Eight – Pensions in a Short Marriage Case
Chapter Nine – Agreements in a Short Marriage Case
Chapter Ten – Conclusion