A party to a marriage in the England and Wales, on divorce, nullity or judicial separation , may present claims to a court in England and Wales for ancillary relief, for resolution of financial issues.

The principal source is section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 , which sets out the main factors to be taken into account. The law has moved significantly since the House of Lords gave judgment in the case of 'White v White'. Since then, the Court of Appeal has developed case law on the meaning of 'fairness' and where an equal division is appropriate.