Abstract:
This article reviews the past ten years of matrimonial asset division cases, examining what comprises a matrimonial asset, and the two main approaches for dividing matrimonial assets in ANJ v ANK [2015] 4 SLR 1043 and TNL v TNK [2017] 1 SLR 609. It discusses the various factors used in these two approaches, eg, marriage length, whether it is single or double-income, and the extent of parties’ contributions. It concludes that the guiding principle is that of rewarding parties’ efforts, tempered by the notion of “connection to the family”, ie, the extent to which an asset has been intended, and used, to benefit the family.