Financial provision on divorce, etc.

10 Sharing of value of matrimonial property.

(1)

In applying the principle set out in section 9(1)(a) of this Act, the net value of the matrimonial property F1or partnership property shall be taken to be shared fairly between F2persons when it is shared equally or in such other proportions as are justified by special circumstances.

(2)

F3Subject to subsection (3A) below, the net value of the F4... property shall be the value of the property at the relevant date after deduction of any debts incurred by F5one or both of the parties to the marriage or as the case may be of the partners —

(a)

before the marriage so far as they relate to the matrimonial property F6or before the registration of the partnership so far as they relate to the partnership property, and

(b)

during the marriage F7or partnership,

which are outstanding at that date.

(3)

In this section “the relevant date” means whichever is the earlier of—

(a)

subject to subsection (7) below, the date on which the F8persons ceased to cohabit;

(b)

the date of service of the summons in the action for divorce F9or for dissolution of the civil partnership.

F10(3A)

In its application to property transferred by virtue of an order under section 8(1)(aa) of this Act this section shall have effect as if—

(a)

in subsection (2) above, for “relevant date” there were substituted “ appropriate valuation date ”;

(b)

after that subsection there were inserted—

“(2A)

Subject to subsection (2B), in this section the “appropriate valuation date” means—

(a)

where the parties to the marriage or, as the case may be, the partners agree on a date, that date;

(b)

where there is no such agreement, the date of the making of the order under section 8(1)(aa).

(2B)

If the court considers that, because of the exceptional circumstances of the case, subsection (2A)(b) should not apply, the appropriate valuation date shall be such other date (being a date as near as may be to the date referred to in subsection (2A)(b)) as the court may determine.”; and

(c)

subsection (3) did not apply.

(4)

Subject to F11subsections (5) and (5A) below, in this section and in section 11 of this Act “the matrimonial property” means all the property belonging to the parties or either of them at the relevant date which was acquired by them or him (otherwise than by way of gift or succession from a third party)—

(a)

before the marriage for use by them as a family home or as furniture or plenishings for such home; or

(b)

during the marriage but before the relevant date.

F12(4A)

Subject to F13subsections (5) and (5A) below, in this section and in section 11 of this Act “the partnership property” means all the property belonging to the partners or either of them at the relevant date which was acquired by them or by one of them (otherwise than by way of gift or succession from a third party)—

(a)

before the registration of the partnership for use by them as a family home or as furniture or plenishings for such a home, or

(b)

during the partnership but before the relevant date.

(5)

The proportion of any rights or interests of either F14person

F15(a)

under a life policy F16or similar arrangement; and

(b)

in any benefits under a pension F17arrangement which either F14person has or may have (including such benefits payable in respect of the death of either party),

which is referable to the period to which subsection (4)(b) F18or (4A)(b) above refers shall be taken to form part of the matrimonial property F19or partnership property.

F20(5A)

Where either person is entitled to F21PPF compensation, the proportion of the compensation which is referable to the period to which subsection (4)(b) or (4A)(b) above refers shall be taken to form part of the matrimonial property or partnership property.

(6)

In subsection (1) above “special circumstances”, without prejudice to the generality of the words, may include—

(a)

the terms of any agreement between the F22persons on the ownership or division of any of the matrimonial property F23or partnership property;

(b)

the source of the funds or assets used to acquire any of the matrimonial property F24or partnership property where those funds or assets were not derived from the income or efforts of the F25persons during the marriage F24or partnership;

(c)

any destruction, dissipation or alienation of property by either F26person;

(d)

the nature of the matrimonial property F27or partnership property, the use made of it (including use for business purposes or as a F28family home) and the extent to which it is reasonable to expect it to be realised or divided or used as security;

(e)

the actual or prospective liability for any expenses of valuation or transfer of property in connection with the divorce F29or the dissolution of the civil partnership.

(7)

For the purposes of subsection (3) above no account shall be taken of any cessation of cohabitation where the F30persons thereafter resumed cohabitation, except where the F30persons ceased to cohabit for a continuous period of 90 days or more before resuming cohabitation for a period or periods of less than 90 days in all.

F31F32(8)

The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about calculation and verification in relation to the valuation for the purposes of this Act of benefits under a pension arrangement or relevant state scheme rights.

F33(8A)

Regulations under subsection (8) above may include—

(a)

provision for calculation or verification in accordance with guidance from time to time prepared by a prescribed person; and

(b)

provision by reference to regulations under section 30 or 49(4) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

F34(8B)

The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision for the purposes of this Act about—

(a)

calculation and verification of PPF compensation,

(b)

apportionment of PPF compensation.

(8C)

Regulations under subsection (8B) may include provision—

(a)

for calculation or verification in a manner approved by a prescribed person,

(b)

by reference to regulations under section 112 of the Pensions Act 2008.

(9)

Regulations under subsection (8) F35or (8B) above F36may make different provision for different purposes and shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

F37(10)

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F37(11)

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