Services
Matrimonial Finance Expert Reports
Formal written expert reports for financial remedy proceedings, Section 25 analyses, Form E review, schedule of assets, income assessments, and needs-based analyses.
Overview
Production of formal written expert reports for financial remedy proceedings, Section 25 analyses, Form E review, schedule of assets, income assessments, and needs-based analyses. Reports are prepared to FPR Part 25 and Practice Direction 25B standards.
Prepared to FPR Part 25 and Practice Direction 25B (England & Wales). Equivalent compliance with Scottish and Northern Ireland court rules where proceedings are outside England and Wales.
When to instruct
Any financial remedy hearing where independent expert evidence on financial matters is required.
What a Matrimonial Finance Expert Report Covers
A matrimonial finance expert report provides independent analysis on the financial issues in dispute between parties to a divorce or civil partnership dissolution. In England and Wales, the court determines financial remedy applications under Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, having regard to all the circumstances of the case including the needs, resources, and conduct of each party.
Our reports address the specific questions set out in the letter of instruction, commonly including asset schedules, income assessment, needs analysis, business valuation summaries, and pension comparisons.
Form E and Disclosure Review
Form E is the standard financial statement in England and Wales financial remedy proceedings. Each party must provide full and frank disclosure of their financial position, supported by documents including bank statements, pension CETVs, property valuations, and business accounts.
- Review of Form E for internal consistency and completeness
- Comparison of declared assets against supporting documentation
- Identification of discrepancies between tax returns and disclosure
- Schedule of assets with matrimonial and non-matrimonial classification
- Analysis of trust interests, loans, and contingent liabilities
Section 25 Analysis
Where instructed, the expert report may address how the Section 25 factors apply to the financial evidence. This may include needs-based analysis, sharing arguments, special contribution claims, and post-separation accrual under cases such as Miller v Miller; McFarlane v McFarlane and Wachtel v Wachtel.
- Income, earning capacity, and property resources of each party
- Financial needs, obligations, and responsibilities
- Standard of living during the marriage
- Age, duration of marriage, and physical or mental disability
- Contributions to the welfare of the family, including homemaking
- Conduct where it would be inequitable to disregard it
Report Standards
All matrimonial finance expert reports are prepared to FPR Part 25 and Practice Direction 25B where proceedings are in England and Wales. Reports include a statement of truth, disclosed methodology, and a clear summary of conclusions. The expert remains available for questions, joint discussions, and cross-examination if directed by the court.