Ex-Wife Awarded £54 Million Payout

A High Court judge has awarded a woman the biggest ever payout in a contested divorce case in the UK. Mrs Justice King ruled on Friday that the ex-wife – in a case known only as M v M – is to receive £54 million after the latest high-profile divorce case.

New record payout for family dispute case

The sum is six million pounds higher than the previous record of £48 million, which was awarded to Beverley Charman in 2006 after her insurance magnate ex-husband only offered £6 million out of their total £131 million assets. But a woman living in Hertfordshire could soon be awarded an even higher payout. Pauline Chai, 66, a former Miss Malaysia, is seeking £500 million from her husband Khoo Kay Peng, one of the wealthiest men in Malaysia. The case has been heard at the High Court since July. If Mrs Chai wins her case it would confirm London’s reputation as the ‘divorce capital of the world’ because of the large number of multimillion-pound payouts awarded to the poorer partner, often the wife. Far bigger payouts have been made around the globe in uncontested divorces, including Tiger Woods and Rupert Murdoch.

IBB Solicitors commented:

“It is little wonder that wealthy husbands with connections abroad will try and have matters decided in other jurisdictions. Nor is it surprising the increasing level of pre and post-nuptial agreements being entered into.”

Our Family and Matrimonial team helps families across West London and Bucks. For advice, contact a member of the team: call us on 01494 790000 or email familylaw@ibblaw.co.uk.