It is with great pleasure that, in collaboration with the London-based law firm Osbornes Law, I assisted in the drafting of a prenuptial agreement for a Greek-Cypriot couple, residents of the United Kingdom, with the corresponding arrangement of their property relations through the choice of applicable law and jurisdiction based on Greek law and Council Regulation 2016/1103 on the property relations of spouses.

A very common concern among Greek couples living in the United Kingdom who are planning to marry is the financial consequences that an “English-style” divorce may have for them and their families. In contrast, the system of separate property under Greek law, which excludes from claims to participation in the property acquired during the marriage, any property acquired by gifts, inheritances, etc., is usually the one that serves the financial planning of the parties as a family. This can be achieved by drawing up an agreement on applicable law and jurisdiction based on the above Regulation.

Given the UK’s exit from the EU, the best way to protect the couple from the possibility, despite the provisions of the agreement, of property claims being brought before an English court in the event of divorce, is to draw up a corresponding contract in England, in the form of a prenuptial agreement (known as a “prenup”), which will essentially reflect the provisions of Greek law. We achieved this in close cooperation with the law firm Osbornes Law, and in particular with partner Andrew Watson, whom I would like to thank personally.