Cristiano Ronaldo has just gifted his girlfriend a ring so dazzling it could probably be seen from space. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s fans are in a frenzy over her engagement news. But behind the sparkle and social media buzz lies a surprisingly common legal question: what happens to the ring if the engagement doesn’t lead to a wedding?
Whether your ring is a modest token of love or a celebrity-sized stunner, English law has a clear - if slightly nuanced - approach to ownership when engagements end.
The ring as a gift
Under Section 3(3) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1970, an engagement ring is presumed to be an absolute gift. That means once it’s given, it legally belongs to the recipient - regardless of who ends the engagement
So, if Ronaldo were to call things off, under English law anyway, his girlfriend would be entitled to keep the ring. The law doesn’t concern itself with who broke the engagement off or why. The ring would be hers.
The exception!
There is, however, an important exception. If the ring was given on the condition - either stated or implied - that it must be returned if the marriage doesn’t happen, then the giver may have a legal right to reclaim it
The most obvious example is if the ring is a family heirloom. Courts may infer that such a ring was given with the expectation it would be returned if the engagement ended. But proving this can be tricky unless there’s clear evidence, like a written agreement or a clause in a prenuptial agreement.
Interestingly, even a verbal agreement made before the engagement ends can be binding in court, though it’s harder to prove. Ultimately, many couples resolve these matters privately, without lawyers getting involved. But when emotions run high, and the ring is valuable (financially or sentimentally), disputes can arise.
The break-up of Maya Jamal and Ben Simmons hit the headlines when Simmons sent a legal letter demanding the return of the $1million engagement ring he had given her. In the end, it looks like she simply returned the ring but for those embroiled in these disagreements, it all comes down to a question of fact – was there a conversation about what would happen if the marriage didn’t take place or not? Was there an agreement and was it put into writing?
What about prenups?
While prenuptial agreements aren’t automatically enforceable in England and Wales, they can influence court decisions if they meet certain criteria.
A prenup could specify what happens to the ring in the event of a breakup, but it would need to be properly drafted and signed by both parties
On a very practical level, many rings are purchased on credit and, long after the engagement has broken down, the buyer can still be paying off the debt. This situation can give rise to some very disgruntled disputes. So, the lesson is, if there is an expensive or sentimental ring involved, agree at the outset what will happen to it and put that agreement into writing.
Do disputes over engagement rings ever get to court?
Yes, they can do. Very recently, the Family Court was asked to decide whether a woman should return a diamond engagement ring and other jewellery worth nearly £68,000 after calling off her engagement just two weeks before the wedding. There had been a whirlwind romance which Mr RI said had led to an engagement. When the relationship broke down, Ms NG said that there had been no engagement, there was no upcoming wedding (at least, not one she had agreed to) and the ring had been given to her as a gift.
Mr RI produced evidence of social media posts showing Ms NG wearing the engagement ring and referring to Mr RI as her “future husband”, an email where she referred to Mr RI as her fiancé, and an email from Chelsea Old Town Hall confirming the wedding date.
Ultimately, the court found Mr RI to be a more credible witness and concluded that the couple had been engaged and that the ring should be returned. My colleague Sue Brookes looks at the practical implications of this case in this blog.
While Ronaldo and Taylor Swift’s engagements have been celebrated with heartfelt moments and grandeur, the rest of us might want to think a little more practically. If you’re giving or receiving an engagement ring, consider the implications. Is it a gift with no strings attached? Or is there an understanding - spoken or unspoken - that it should be returned if things don’t work out? In most cases, the ring stays with the recipient. But if you want to avoid future drama, a clear agreement can go a long way.
And if you’re ever unsure, speak to one of our family lawyers. Even if your engagement isn’t making headlines like Ronaldo’s, the legal implications are just as real - and we’re here to help you navigate them with care and confidence.
Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.