<p><br /> Pre-nuptial agreements have been given new status after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of heiress Katrin Radmacher.<br /> </p><p><br /> Her husband Nicolas Granatino, took his case to the highest court in the land, after appeal judges slashed his divorce settlement from more than £5m to £1m.<br /> </p><p><br /> The German heiress is said to be worth more than £100 million.<br /> </p><p><br /> Appeal judges had ruled that "decisive weight" should be given to the agreement signed before he married that he would make no claims on Katrin Radmacher's fortune.<br /> </p><p><br /> The justices dismissed the appeal by a majority of eight to one, saying " it will be natural to infer that parties entering into agreements will intend that effect be given to them."<br /> </p><p><br /> But they still agreed that in the right case a pre-nup agreement can have weight.<br /> </p><p><br /> Lord Phillips, president of the Supreme Court, said the courts would still have the discretion to waive any deal, especially when it was unfair to any children of the marriage.<br /> </p><p><br /> The case is seen by lawyers as the ultimate test of whether the agreements are applicable in English law.<br /> </p><p><br /> Katrin Radmacher, who was present for the ruling, said afterwards: "I am really pleased with the ruling but saddened at the four-year process that brought us to this point. I am delighted that Britain has upheld fairness. It is important to me that no-one else should have to go through this."<br /> </p>
