The ruling by Mr Justice Mostyn supported the husband’s argument that divorcing partners are obliged to share only their UK-based pensions with former spouses. In contrast, said the judge, UK law could not extend to including QROPS pensions in divorce financial settlements.
The case sought to address whether the Family Court had the power to order the transfer, sharing or assignment of a pension in jurisdictions outside of the UK; in the end it decided that QROPS pensions fell outside the strictures provided by the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.
The judge said that even if the overseas jurisdiction could enforce an order of the UK courts, the court actually had no real power to make such an order and to do so would conflict with the “presumption against extra-territoriality”. However, he further commented that if the money in the pension comes back into the UK, the wife would be able to make a claim on it; as such he decided not to dismiss Ms Goyal’s claim on her husband’s fund.
The ruling serves to affirm the existing law as it extends to QROPS pensions in relation to financial remedy orders in divorce cases.
However, it is important to remember that in some jurisdictions spouses may be able to make sharing applications in order to try and gain access to funds.
More information about QROPS pensions with Blacktower can be found here .
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.
That is the question concerning many expatriates at the moment. What a difference a few days can make to the whole issue, before Cameron went to the EU to try to negotiate with a group of people that dislike anything that could disrupt the status quo or threaten their position (no matter how valid the argument), it looked like the in vote had the upper hand. 
When relocating to Spain, finding and buying your new home is sure to be at the top of your list of priorities. And there’s a wealth of great areas and regions to choose from.