大成研究 | 赵海晏等：涉外离婚后的经济救济应用：英国和中国的比较法律视角

本文以英国和中国为重点，探讨涉外离婚后经济救济的复杂性和法律框架。在英国，根据《1984年婚姻与家庭诉讼法》，当事人在涉外离婚后可寻求赡养费、付款或财产分割，但必须满足某些司法标准。相比之下，在类似情况下，中国法院并不会直接在涉外离婚中支持当事人提出的赡养费主张，而是会通过离婚经济补偿、经济帮助和损害赔偿等制度给予符合法律规定的当事人一定的经济救济，这也反映出两国在法律规定和法律文化上的差异。

This article explores the complexities and legal frameworks governing financial relief following a foreign divorce, focusing on England and China. In England, under the Matrimonial & Family Proceedings Act 1984, parties can seek maintenance, payments, or property division after a foreign divorce, provided certain jurisdictional criteria are met. In contrast, Chinese courts do not directly support the parties' claims of alimony in a foreign divorce under similar circumstances, but grant certain financial relief to the parties qualified with financial compensation, financial assistance and damage compensation, reflecting differences in legal provisions and legal cultures between the two countries.

文章强调了在跨境离婚情况下寻求经济救济的当事人进行战略性法律规划的必要性，并强调了了解两个司法管辖区的法律和惯例的重要性。在专业的法律指导下，当事人可以通过应用这些法律环境，从而在离婚后获得公平的经济权益。

The article highlights the need for strategic legal planning for parties seeking financial relief in cross-border divorce scenarios, emphasizing the importance of understanding both jurisdictions' laws and practices. Through careful navigation of these legal landscapes, with professional legal guidance, parties can achieve equitable financial outcomes post-divorce.

在英国：

In the United Kingdom:

在外国解除（或废除）婚姻后，英国法院给予经济救济的权力受《1984年婚姻和家庭诉讼法》管辖。根据该法，一方可以确定赡养费、获得付款或分割财产。

The power of English courts to grant financial relief is governed under the Matrimonial & Family Proceedings Act 1984 after a marriage has been dissolved (or annulled) in a foreign country. Under this law, a party can establish maintenance, obtain payments or divide property. 

在Agbaje v Agbaje (2010) 1 FLR 1813一案中，一对夫妇在尼日利亚度过了他们大部分的婚姻生活并且也在那里离婚，但他们在英格兰有一套房屋，离婚时Agbaje夫人还在该处居住。尼日利亚法院将双方在尼日利亚拥有的一处房产的终身权益判给了Agbaje夫人，还有相当于21 000英镑的一次性付款。Agbaje夫人根据《婚姻和家庭诉讼法》第三部分申请经济救济，英国高等法院裁决她应获得相当于出售英格兰房屋所得65%的一次性款项。这笔赔偿金占这对夫妇总资产的39%。上诉法院推翻了这一裁决，但最高法院最终予以维持。最高法院认为，第三部分的目的是在当事人与英格兰有实质性联系的情况下，减轻因外国法院未提供或未提供足够经济救济而造成的不利后果。

In Agbaje v Agbaje (2010) 1 FLR 1813, a couple had spent most of their married life in Nigeria and had divorced there, but they had a house in England that Mrs Agbaje was in living when the divorce was granted. The Nigerian court awarded Mrs Agbaje a life interest in a property the couple owned in Nigeria and a lump sum equivalent to £21,000. Mrs Agbaje applied to financial relief under Part III of the Matrimonial & Family Proceedings Act and the English High Court ordered that she should receive a lump sum equal to 65% of the proceeds of the sale of the house in England. This award represented 39% of the couple's total assets. This decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal but ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court, which held that the whole purpose of Part III is to alleviate adverse consequences of no, or no adequate, financial provision being made by a foreign court in a situation where the parties have substantial connections with England.

婚姻的任何一方都可以向英国家事法庭申请第三部分救济，如果他们已经离婚或者他们的婚姻已经通过正当法律程序被宣告无效，这意味着离婚有权得到英国法律的承认。

Either party to the marriage may apply to the English family court for Part III relief if they are divorced or their marriage has been annulled using the due process of law, which means that the divorce is entitled to be recognised under English law.

申请人必须能够证明，在离婚生效之日或申请第三部分命令之日：

The applicant must be able to show that on the effective date of the divorce or on the date of application for a Part III order:

（1）任何一方的住所在英格兰和威尔士；

a)either party was domiciled in England and Wales;

（2）任何一方在英格兰和威尔士常住一年；或

b)either party was habitually resident for one year in England and Wales; or

（3）一方或双方在申请第三部分之日拥有英格兰和威尔士一处房屋的权益，该房屋在婚姻存续期间曾是婚姻住所。

c)one or both parties had at the date of the Part III application an interest in a house in England and Wales which was the matrimonial home at some point during their marriage.

要获得第三部分救济，申请人必须准备一份声明并提交一份宣誓书，详细说明申请人认为英国法院应下达命令的原因。首先，申请人必须向法院申请以获得申请命令的许可。这称为"许可申请"，也必须在不通知另一方的情况下提交。一旦获得许可，案件的处理方式与普通的经济救济申请相同，双方都要准备一份财务声明（表格E），并将该事项列入听证清单。

To obtain Part III relief the applicant must prepare a statement and submit an affidavit detailing why the applicant believes it is appropriate for the English court to make an order. First, the applicant must apply to the court for permission to apply for an order. This is called an "Application for Permission" and must be filed without notice to the other party. Once permission is granted, the case can be treated the same as a normal application for financial relief, with both parties preparing a financial statement (Form E) and the matter being listed for a hearing.

（1）必须首先考虑婚生子女的福利。如果子女由外籍一方抚养，这可能意味着根据第III部分提出的申请不太可能成功。

a)Primary consideration must be given to the welfare of any children of the marriage. If children are being supported by a foreign party, this may mean an application under Part III is less likely to succeed.

（2）如果离婚和经济补偿诉讼是在英国司法管辖区进行的，那么下达的判决给予申请人的补偿决不应超过他们本应获得的补偿。

b)It is never appropriate to make an order that gives the applicant more than they would have been awarded had the divorce and financial remedy proceedings taken place in this jurisdiction.

（3）在可能的情况下，判决应能满足每一方的合理需求。

c)Where possible, the order should have the result that provision is made for the reasonable needs of each party.

在遵守这些原则的前提下，法院拥有广泛的自由裁量权。

Subject to these principles, the court has a broad discretion.

涉及巨额资产的离婚通常以公平分割为目标，会考虑收入、需求和生活水平等因素。如果资产隐藏在公司内部，法院也可以如Prest v Petrodel Resources [2013] UKSC 34一案揭开公司面纱（lift the corporate veil）。

Divorces involving substantial assets often aim for an equitable division, considering factors like income, needs, and standard of living. The court may also pierce the corporate veil in cases where assets are hidden within companies, as seen in Prest v Petrodel Resources [2013] UKSC 34.

要成功获得《1984年婚姻和家庭诉讼法》第三部分规定的经济救济，申请人必须仔细考虑司法管辖要求。在申请海外离婚之前，潜在申请人可能会决定移居英国或在英国购买房产。如果做法正确，这样的行动可能意味着他们能够成功地向英国法院申请大量的经济救济。

To successfully obtain financial relief under Part III of the Matrimonial & Family Proceedings Act 1984, it is important for an applicant to consider the jurisdictional requirements carefully. It may be that a prospective applicant will decide to move to the UK or buy property in England before filing for an overseas divorce. Such an action, if done correctly, could mean that they are able to apply successfully to the English courts for substantial financial relief. 

对于在海外离婚并能够满足本文所讨论的特殊要求的当事人来说，这种裁决可能比他们在离婚所在国获得的裁决更有优势。

For parties who have divorced overseas and who are able to satisfy the particular requirements that I have discussed, such awards can provide a significant advantage over what they may be able to obtain in the country where they divorced.

了解并应用外国离婚后在英国获得经济救济的复杂性会对离婚结果产生重大影响。对于那些与英国有实质性联系的人来说，英国法院为离婚后实现公平的经济补偿提供了一个强有力的框架。

Understanding and navigating the complexities of securing financial relief in England post-foreign divorce can significantly impact the outcome. For those with substantial connections to England, the English courts offer a robust framework for achieving fair financial settlements post-divorce.

在中国：

In China:

根据中国的法律规定，如果有以下涉外因素，一起离婚诉讼案件就很可能会被认定为涉外离婚案件：一是案件主体涉外，一方或者双方是外国人，以及一方或者双方的经常居所地在中国领域外；二是系争标的物涉外，主要是涉及离婚分割的财产位于中国领域外；三是案件涉及法律关系涉外，产生、变更或消灭民事法律关系的法律事实发生在中国领域外。但与英格兰不同的是，在外国婚姻关系解除后，中国法院并不会给予英格兰《1984年婚姻和家庭诉讼法》下经济救济的权力。原因之一是因为根据中国婚姻方面的相关法律规定（主要是《中华人民共和国民法典》婚姻家庭编及有关的司法解释），中国对离婚经济补偿、离婚经济帮助和离婚损害赔偿作出了相应的法律规定。如果当事人一方希望在中国能够认可他（她）在英格兰的离婚判决效力，那么他（她）首先需要就英格兰的离婚判决在中国申请承认与执行。

According to Chinese law, a divorce case is likely to be recognized as a foreign divorce case if the following factors applies: i.First, if the subject of the case is foreign-related, where one or both parties are foreigners, and the habitual residence of one or both parties is outside the territory of China; ii.Second, if the subject matter of the dispute is foreign-related, and the division of property in divorce is located outside the Chinese territory; andiii.Third, if the case involves foreign legal relations, and the legal facts that give rise to, change or extinguish civil legal relations occur outside the Chinese territory. 

However, unlike in England, Chinese courts do not grant financial relief such as maintenance under the Matrimonial & Family Proceedings Act 1984 after a marriage has been dissolved (or annulled) in a foreign country. 

One of the reasons is that according to the relevant laws and regulations on marriage in China (mainly the Marriage and Family Section of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China and relevant judicial interpretations), China has made corresponding legal provisions for financial compensation, financial assistance and damage compensation related to divorce. Accordingly, if a party wishes to have his/her divorce judgment in England recognized in China, then he/she will first need to apply for recognition and enforcement of the English divorce judgment in China.

关于离婚经济补偿，更多的是对夫妻一方的家务劳动补偿，具体体现在《中华人民共和国民法典》第一千零八十八条之规定，夫妻一方因抚育子女、照料老年人、协助另一方工作等负担较多义务的，离婚时有权向另一方请求补偿，另一方应当给予补偿。具体办法由双方协议；协议不成的，由人民法院判决。在司法实践中，中国法院通常会综合考虑个案中原、被告结婚时间长短、抚育子女等家务工作的劳动强度，以及对婚姻关系的信赖程度等因素，来确定经济补偿金的具体数额。需要特别提醒的是，离婚经济补偿只能在“离婚时”提出，如提出请求的一方并不主张离婚，只单纯地要求对方支付经济补偿，或者是在双方离婚之后单独提出经济补偿要求的，将不会获得中国法院的支持。

In relation to financial compensation, Courts will turn more towards the housework compensation for one of the spouses (as stipulated in Article 1088 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (Civil Code)). It states that where one of the spouses has more obligations due to the raising of children, caring for the elderly, assisting the other party in work etc.; then in the event of a divorce, the party has the right to request compensation from the other spouse. The parties can negotiate and reach an agreement on specific compensation; and if the agreement fails, the Chinese courts shall make a judgment. In judicial practice, Chinese courts usually consider factors such as the specifics of the case, the length of the marriage, the intensity of housework, and the degree of trust in the marital relationship to determine the specific amount of financial compensation. In particular, it is important to note that this compensation can only be proposed "at the time of divorce". If the requesting party does not advocate for divorce, and simply requests for the other party for financial compensation, or if the party files a separate claim for financial compensation after the divorce, it will not be supported by the Chinese court.

关于离婚经济帮助，更多的是对离婚时生活困难一方基本生存权益的救济，具体体现在《中华人民共和国民法典》第一千零九十条之规定，离婚时，如果一方生活困难，有负担能力的另一方应当给予适当帮助。具体办法由双方协议；协议不成的，由人民法院判决。在司法实践中，中国法院通常会根据个案的实际情况，确定是否需要提供离婚经济帮助、以及离婚经济帮助的期限或条件。需要特别提醒的是，离婚经济帮助并非无条件和无期限的，如果一方本身有房或依靠个人收入、离婚分割所得的财产在离婚后有房居住（包括能够租房居住）、能够维持基本生活水平，则不符合“生活困难”的认定标准。同时，当期限届满或条件达成时，提供经济帮助的一方即不再承担离婚经济帮助义务。因此，当事人如果希望通过离婚经济帮助，来取得高额的赡养费、生活费，将不会获得法院的支持。

With regard to financial assistance, it is more of a relief for the basic survival rights of the party who is in difficulty during the divorce, which is reflected in Article 1090 of the Civil Code. If one party has difficulties in life during divorce, the other party who can afford it should provide appropriate help. The parties can negotiate and reach an agreement on specific compensation; similarly if the agreement fails, the Chinese court shall make a judgment. In judicial practice, Chinese courts usually determine whether it is necessary to provide financial assistance and the period or conditions of financial assistance for divorce based on the actual circumstances of the case. 

It is necessary to note that the divorce financial assistance is not unconditional and unlimited. For example, if one party has his own house or personal income; the property obtained by divorce division is enough to live with after divorce (including being able to rent and to live in); and the basic standard of living can be maintained - it does not meet the standard of "difficult life". At the same time, when the time limit expires or if certain conditions are met, the relevant party is no longer obligated to provide financial assistance for divorce. Therefore, if a party wishes to obtain high alimony and living expenses through divorce financial assistance, they will not get support from the court.

关于离婚损害赔偿，更多的是为了保护无过错方的利益，法律规定用列举式规定和概括式相结合的方式明确了可以提出离婚损害赔偿请求的事由。具体体现在《中华人民共和国民法典》第一千零九十一条之规定，有下列情形之一，导致离婚的，无过错方有权请求损害赔偿：（一）重婚；（二）与他人同居；（三）实施家庭暴力；（四）虐待、遗弃家庭成员；（五）有其他重大过错。对于离婚损害赔偿的具体金额，在司法实践中，中国法院通常会根据个案的实际情况，综合考虑到过错方行为的过错程度、损害后果和经济条件等酌定。需要特别提醒的是，无过错方作为原告基于上述法律规定向中国法院提起损害赔偿请求的，必须在离婚诉讼的同时提出，如果作为被告，且被告不同意离婚也不基于该条规定提起损害赔偿请求的，才可以就此单独提起诉讼。

As for divorce damages, it is provided to protect the interests of the innocent party. The law defines the reasons for divorce damages claims by combining enumerated and generalised provisions to specify the grounds on which a claim for divorce damages can be made. In accordance with Article 1091 of the Civil Code, where divorce occurs under any of the following circumstances, the party without fault shall have the right to claim damages for: (1) bigamy; (2) cohabitation with others; (3) committing domestic violence; (4) maltreatment or abandonment of family members; and (5) committing other major faults. As for the specific amount of damages, Chinese courts usually decide according to the actual merits of the case, taking into account the degree of fault, the consequences of damage and financial conditions. It should be noted in particular that if the party not at fault, as the plaintiff, files a claim for damages in a Chinese court, it must be filed at the same time as the divorce proceedings; and if, as the defendant, the defendant does not consent to the divorce or file a claim for damages on the basis of the provisions of the article, then only then can a separate lawsuit be filed in this regard.

在外国法院作出的发生法律效力的判决、裁定，需要中国法院承认和执行的，可以由当事人直接向有管辖权的中级人民法院（被执行人住所地或者其财产所在地的中级人民法院）申请承认和执行，也可以由外国法院依照该国与中国缔结或者参加的国际条约的规定，或者按照互惠原则，请求中国法院承认和执行。中国法院依法进行审查后，认为不违反中国法律的基本原则且不损害中国国家主权、安全、社会公共利益的，裁定承认其效力；需要执行的，发出执行令，依照法律有关规定执行。一般而言，对于英国法院做出的涉外离婚判决，如果一方当事人希望中国法院也认可该离婚判决的效力，则也需要依照前述的流程向有管辖权的法院申请承认与执行。需要特别提醒的是，目前的司法实践中，中国法院一般只承认外国法院关于解除婚姻关系的判决效力，而并不涵盖关于离婚财产处理和子女抚养的判决效力。

If a legally effective judgment or order made by a foreign court needs to be recognized and enforced by a Chinese court, the concerned party may apply directly to an intermediate people's court with jurisdiction (the intermediate people's court at the place of domicile of the person against whom the execution is to be effected or at the place where the person's property is situated) for recognition and enforcement. The foreign court may also request the Chinese Court to recognise the judgment in accordance with the provisions of the international treaties concluded or acceded to by that country with China or in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.

If, after examination in accordance with law, the Chinese court finds that it does not violate the basic principles of Chinese law and does not harm China's national sovereignty, security or social and public interests, it shall order to recognize its validity. If execution is necessary, an execution order shall be issued and executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law. 

Generally speaking, if a party wishes for the Chinese court to recognize the validity of the divorce judgment made by the English court, it is also necessary to apply to a court with competent jurisdiction for recognition and enforcement in accordance with the aforementioned procedure. It should be noted in particular that in current judicial practice, Chinese courts generally only recognize the effect of foreign courts' judgments on dissolution of marriage, and not the effect of judgments on divorce property settlement and child support.

目前中国和英国尚未就婚姻家事案件的承认与执行缔结有关的双边司法协定，也没有缔结或共同参加有关的国际公约，因此对于英国法院做出的涉外离婚判决，当事人只能依据互惠关系原则向中国法院申请承认和执行。司法实践中，中国法院主要根据《最高人民法院关于中国公民申请承认外国法院离婚判决程序问题的规定》对当事人申请承认和执行的英国法院的离婚判决进行个案审查并最终做出承认与否的裁定，从实务看，近几年中国法院就此做出的有关裁定并不多。不同于中国和英国法院之间，虽然香港特别行政区的法律制度有别于中国内地，也以普通法辅以成文法为基础，但围绕中国内地与香港特别行政区法院婚姻家庭案件判决的相互承认及强制执行问题已经迈出了重要而坚实的一步。2021年5月5日，中国香港特别行政区立法会通过《内地婚姻家庭案件判决（相互承认及强制执行）条例》，为过去两地在婚姻家庭案件判决的承认与执行司法实践中的不统一及时按下了暂停键，带来了曙光一片；2022年2月15日中国最高人民法院正式公布了《关于内地与香港特别行政区法院相互认可和执行婚姻家庭民事案件判决的安排》，明确该安排自2022年2月15日起施行。这也意味着此后绝大部分的两地跨境婚姻家庭案件判决都能在两地得到相互认可和执行，极大减少了重复起诉的诉累，也开启了两地婚姻家庭领域司法交流与合作的新征程。

China and England have not concluded bilateral judicial agreements on the recognition and enforcement of marriage and family cases, nor have they concluded or jointly participated in relevant international conventions to date. Therefore, for foreign divorce judgments made by British courts, the parties can only apply to the Chinese court for recognition and enforcement based on the principle of reciprocity. In judicial practice, Chinese courts mainly conduct case-by-case review of those divorce judgments of British courts in accordance with the Provisions of the Supreme People's Court on Procedures for the Recognition and Enforcement of Divorce judgments of Foreign Courts, and finally make a decision on recognition or not. Chinese courts have made few relevant decisions in this regard for the past few years. Yet, the practice between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is more optimistic instead, although the legal system of HKSAR is different from that of the Mainland of China, which is based on common law supplemented by statute law. Significant progress has already been made in the mutual recognition and enforcement of judgments in marriage and family cases between the courts of the Mainland of China and HKSAR. 

On 5 May 2021, the Legislative Council of the HKSAR passed the "Regulation on Mutual Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Marriage and Family Cases from the Mainland of China", effectively putting a temporary halt to the inconsistencies in the recognition and enforcement of such judgments in the past practices of the two places, bringing a glimmer of hope. 

Similarly on 15 February 2022, the Supreme People's Court of China officially announced the "Arrangement on Mutual Recognition and Enforcement of Marriage and Family Civil Cases Judgments between Courts of the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". This means that the vast majority of cross-border matrimonial and family cases judgments between the two places can be mutually recognized and enforced, greatly reducing the burden of repeated litigation and opening a new journey of judicial exchange and cooperation in the field of marriage and family in the two places.

综上，涉外离婚案件是个非常疑难和复杂的问题，不仅会涉及到中国和英格兰不同国家的法律适用冲突、不同国家的法院管辖，还会涉及到外国法院判决在他国的承认与执行问题。因此对于涉及到中国和英格兰的跨国涉外离婚案件，了解两国婚姻家庭相关法律对涉及离婚问题的不同规定及不同的利益保障制度，知悉中国法院对外国离婚判决的承认与执行的司法实践，了解外国离婚后在英国获得经济救济的复杂性会对离婚结果产生重大影响，在中、英两国经验丰富的执业律师的协助下，最终依靠两国的专业律师充分研判个案具体情况，确定诉讼的方向和策略，通过平行诉讼、外国法院离婚判决的承认与执行等方式，运用离婚经济救济来最大程度地实现公平的经济补偿，也不失为为当事人谋求合法利益的最大化、争取离婚财产公平分割的一条有效路径探索。

In summary, foreign divorce cases are a very difficult and complex issue, involving not only the conflict of laws between China and England and the jurisdiction of the courts of different countries, but also the recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments in other countries. Therefore, for cross-border divorce cases involving China and England, it is important to understand the different provisions of marriage and family related laws of the two countries and the different systems of protection of interests involved in the divorce. There is also a need to familiarise with the judicial practice of recognition and enforcement of foreign divorce judgments by the Chinese courts, and to understand that the complexity of obtaining financial relief in the United Kingdom after a foreign divorce will have a significant impact on the outcome of the divorce. 

With the assistance of experienced lawyers in both China and the UK, the specific circumstances of the case can be studied, and the direction and strategy of the litigation be determined. Parties can utilise divorce-related financial relief to maximise the fairness of the financial compensation through the parallel litigation and the recognition and enforcement of the foreign court's divorce judgment, which is also an effective path to explore for the parties to maximise their legitimate interests and strive for the fair division of the divorced property.

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特别感谢贝尔格莱维亚律师事务所创始合伙人本杰明·威尔斯以及贝尔格莱维亚律师事务所蔡文玮对本文的特殊贡献。