Vince v Vince: what it means for Business Owners in Divorce

If you own a business and are facing divorce, Vince v Vince ([2024] EWFC 389, 20 December 2024) is a case you need to know about. This high-stakes financial remedy case highlights how contributions made before separation can impact what’s shared after divorce.

Dale Vince, founder of green energy giant Ecotricity, divorced his wife in the 1990s when he had little to his name. But years later, when his fortune skyrocketed, his ex-wife made a claim for a share. The Court’s had to consider : Did his pre-separation work in the business matter?

The answer: Yes, it did. Vince successfully argued that his hard work before the marriage began had set the foundation for his later success. The court ruled that his contributions before their relationship, meant his ex-wife wasn’t entitled to as much as she might have hoped.

Why does this matter? If you’re a business owner, your efforts before the relationship—whether grinding through long hours or taking financial risks—could lead to you getting a larger share of the family’s wealth on divorce. The case reinforces that not all post-separation success is automatically up for grabs.

Divorcing couples, take note: if a business is involved, timing and contributions can matter. Get expert advice early! #Divorce #BusinessOwners #FinancialRemedy

For advice on your situation please contact David Winnett:

dwinnett@hopkins-solicitors.co.uk

0115 9105555

https://www.hopkins-solicitors.co.uk/about/team/david-winnett/