Claire Chipperfield, 52 and Andrew Horn 58, had lived together for 17 years, from 1999 to 2016 and had two children who were born in 2002 and 2005. They were not married. A conventional arrangement in today’s society.

In 2006 they sold their own properties and purchased a property together in joint names for £740,000. Mr Horn provided £231,741 and Ms Chipperfield £23,741 and the balance was funded by way of a mortgage in joint names. Mr Horn subsequently provided another £29,600 towards the stamp duty and Ms Chipperfield a further £39,000 which assisted with the property.

At the heart of the case was whether the ...