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In other words, it was felt that Mr Cowan’s contribution was greater than his wife’s.So what can an individual do to protect his or her position before entering into a marriage? Pre-nuptial agreements are common in both the US and Europe but should only be undertaken with legal advice. The law may change in the future, but at present such an agreement is not binding, although it could be influential in some circumstances. At least a pre-nuptial agreement can enable both parties to separate inherited assets and those acquired before a marriage.Alternatively, inherited or pre-nuptial assets could be ring-fenced by the use of trusts so they can be readily identified in divorce proceedings. But it would be hard for a couple to agree in advance about assets (either business or private) that may be built up during their marriage.Howard Paskins is a partner specialising in tax at Smith & Williamson..

Airbus is planning to launch the world’s biggest passenger airliner without running internationally recognised evacuation tests because it fears they are too dangerous and could lead to serious injuries. Airbus is planning to launch the world’s biggest passenger airliner without running internationally recognised evacuation tests because it fears they are too dangerous and could lead to serious injuries.The Independent has learnt that Airbus wants instead to do partial, simulated exercises on its giant A380 jet, which will carry almost 1,000 people. About 200 are likely to be on the upper deck and will drop 30ft to the ground in an emergency.The company is concerned that a full-scale evacuation test could lead to panic and casualties. But the decision will allow its biggest commercial rival, Boeing, to claim that the plane’s safety is unproven.The A380 has been long heralded by Airbus and has gained widespread publicity.

The multinational consortium has invested £7.5bn and much of its prestige and credibility in the project. BAE Systems, which owns 20 per cent of the company, has the hugely valuable contract to build the wings.Airbus is involved in a fierce struggle with Boeing for domination of the world aircraft making business. At a press conference yesterday at Le Bourget in Paris, Noel Forgeard, the Airbus vice-chairman, spent most of his time attacking the company’s American rival.The A380 will dwarf Boeing’s 747, at present the world’s biggest passenger plane, which carries more than 400 passengers. Even the basic A380 will have a greater capacity, with the top-of-the-range capable of reaching the figure of nearly 1,000 Boeing did a full evacuation of the 747 before launch. But Derek Davies, Airbus’s marketing director for the A380, stressed the hazards presented by more passengers. He said: “This is a very sensitive topic [but] if you put 860 people through a real evacuation test some will come off the slide at the bottom and others will land on them. “When a group of people are trying to get out of somewhere, there is an elemental momentum There is the danger of serious injuries.

“Questions will be asked of us, why should we put people in a situation where they may become paraplegic? “The A380 has very good chance of beating the flagship of the number one aircraft company in the US. We feel Boeing might find out about any injuries and publicise the results for their own gain. Boeing may also capitalise on us not carrying out full evacuations. But the simulated tests we are considering would be extremely carefully done and highly accurate.”The A380 will come into production in 2006. The company’s safety experts have been studying various forms of partial testing, and talks have been held with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Civil Aviation Authority.Airbus believes the organisations will understand its position..

Eurostar has recruited the minimalist designer Phillipe Starck to shed its colour co-ordinated train interiors and gaudy staff uniforms in a £35m makeover. Eurostar has recruited the minimalist designer Phillipe Starck to shed its colour co-ordinated train interiors and gaudy staff uniforms in a £35m makeover.
Executives are concerned that since it was launched in 1994 the image of the service has become faded and frayed and they have appointed Starck as “artistic director”. They have asked him to bring his distinctive style to the entire system ­ including train interiors, ticket offices, lounges, staff uniforms and even the food and cutlery.With his experience in providing the finishing touches to some of the world’s finest hotels ­ including the Paramount in New York and the Sanderson in London ­ Starck was considered to be best in tune with the aesthetic requirements of the Anglo-French passengers.Although Eurostar, which operates between London, Brussels and Paris, says it cannot yet preview the designs, it says it favours Starck’s trademark elegant, minimalist and bold creations. Starck has agreed to convert the increasingly drab and worn interiors of Eurostar’s 36 trains to nothing less than the modern equivalent of the Orient Express in time for the completion of the Channel Tunnel rail link in 2003 when the journey time from London to Paris will be reduced by 40 minutes to two hours and 20 minutes He said: “It is about making the traveller feel valued. They must feel good in both mind and body.” Some seats in the first and premier compartments will be fitted with small film screens. Departure lounges at Eurostar stations will be enlarged and bars on the trains will be modernised An extra kitchen will also be fitted on each train.. Peter Mandelson has warned Tony Blair not to destroy Labour’s character by severing links with the trade unions and seeking to create a “big-tent party of the centre left”.