Applications for pension sharing orders have increased by 17 percent in the past year from 7.500 to 8,800. The rise comes as pensions are becoming more commonly contested in UK divorces, says Bowmore Wealth Group.

With global stock markets performing strongly over the last decade, pension pots in the UK have become more valuable.

The rise in value means that pensions are now more central to divorce proceedings, says Bowmore.

Jill Ellicott, financial planner at Bowmore Fin...