Hi, need to submit a 2000 words paper on the topic The wife’s needs (generously interpreted) were not simply one of the factors in the case, but a factor of magnetic importance. Thus, the court’s determination in McCartney v Mills3 that the wife’s needs were the dominant factor in awarding ancillary relief in a manner that was fair. To begin with ancillary relief awards commence with the application of Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. Section 25(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 directs the courts to “have regard to all the circumstances of the case”.4 Section 25(2) goes on to provide a list of all the factors that are relevant to the court in the exercise of its discretion on determining ancillary relief awards. These factors include the parties’ income, property, assets, earning capacity, financial needs and resources, “obligations and responsibilities” of the parties, the “standard of living enjoyed” prior to the marriage breakdown, age, marriage duration, physical/mental disabilities, contributions made and conduct of the parties if the court finds that it would “be inequitable to” to ignore the conduct.5 The standard of living enjoyed appeared to be the primary needs’ factor considered by the court in McCartney v Mills.