Divorce defeat is lawyers' victory

FAMILY lawyers have welcomed last week's Government defeat in the Lords over pension splitting in divorce settlements.

The measure, withdrawn from committee stage and deferred to a consultation paper, would offer both parties a guaranteed income on their retirement to the end of their lives.

Ministers opposed pension splitting, claiming it could cost the taxpayer £1.3 billion but after being defeated they promised to take another look at the opposition amendment.

Baroness Young's attempt to remove no fault was also defeated and her attempt to increase the waiting period to 18 months was withdrawn.

Solicitors Family Law Association chair Nigel Shepherd said: "We are delighted that the Lords have voted the SFLA way on all counts."

Robin ap Cynan, vice-chair of the Law Society's family law committee, said: "The Law Society has been campaigning for the introduction of pension splitting for many years. We are glad last week's vote brings us one step nearer to this goal."