ZZ21D58773 - [2025] EWHC 1659 (Fam)

There appeared to be some dispute about the standard of living enjoyed by the family during the marriage. It was not entirely clear to me what relevance this had to the case.

It is clear that the parties enjoyed a high standard of living throughout the marriage. The children were educated privately from the age of 3. They were all born at a private hospital. The family home purchased in 2009 was, even before its renovation, a prestigious property. The family went on luxurious and long holidays. H plainly worked very hard to pay for all of this.

In cross examination, H was taken to various bank statements and loan accounts which demonstrated that since separation he has enjoyed a very high standard of living, dining at high end Mayfair establishments and taking many very expensive holidays. It was suggested by Mr Thorpe KC on W’s behalf that H had failed to comply with the court’s order that all bank statements and credit cards should be supplied from 1 July 2019. H failed to supply those which were held in the name of GHI on the basis that they would have to be obtained from the administrators. It would appear that H made no effort to obtain these. I’m not sure how much they would have helped me. I have no reason to disbelieve the account W gave of the standard living, including regular parties at home entertaining 100-200 people at a cost of £15-20,000, regular visits to high end restaurants where the parties enjoyed wine at £400-£500 a bottle, regular holidays at 5 star resorts and the use of expensive cars throughout the marriage.

It was quite clear from H’s own expenditure since separation that this was how he expected to live. He is a man with a view as to which table one should sit on at Scott’s and a man who clearly cherished his relationship with the proprietors of Le Gavroche. These were clearly not newly acquired attributes.

I have no difficulty in finding that this family enjoyed a very high standard of living.