An update to the case below appeared in the press today...the case will be heard in London.
According to recent press reports, two of the most expensive family lawyers in Londond, Baroness Shackleton and Ayesha Vardag, are going toe to toe on behalf of Khoo Kay Peng and Pauline Chai. Between them have spent a quite "...eye-watering £1.6 million" fighting their divorce in London...and they haven't even reached the most expensive bit, the final hearing...and they haven't (apparently) tried to negotiate...and they might not even be able to finish the case in London if the Malaysian courts decide the case should be dealt with there.
The fact that the couple seem to have more than enough money to pay these sums in legal fees does not detract from the lessons that should always be learned and re-learned when reading stories like this. A good family lawyer will always try to keep as much of your money in your pocket as possible and will strategise to negotiate, but ultimately it is the clients who make the decision to either fight or talk. If there is no talk, there cannot be compromise and the only people who will become richer are the lawyers.
At Cripps our policy is to be open and transparent about the cost of divorce to our clients and, more importantly, how they are going to be afforded.
Contact me if you want to know more.
Alex Davies