S v S

MISS S. HILLAS QC for the Applicant MR P. MARSHALL QC for the Respondent ____________________

i) The analysis must be gender neutral and non-discriminatory -- White v White [2001] AC 596 HL;

ii) The starting point in every inquiry is a two-stage process. First, computation, then distribution -- Charman v Charman (No 4) [2007] 1 FLR 1246 CA;

iii) In considering section 25, there are three main distributive principles: needs; compensation; and sharing, shaped by the overarching requirement of fairness -- Miller v Miller; McFarlane v McFarlane [2006] 1 FLR 1186 HL;

iv) The objective of financial orders is to meet the needs of the parties to enable a transition to independence to the extent that that is possible;