[2025] EWHC 2997 (Fam)

The applicant wife is represented by Max Lewis and Rosie Vorri. The respondent husband is represented by Edward Boydell KC.

Before me are the parties’ cross-applications for financial relief upon their divorce.

I have heard oral evidence from both parties and two forensic accountants, Jon Dodge, instructed as a single joint expert, and Andrew Strickland, instructed by the husband pursuant to a Daniels v Walker application.

The wife has incurred costs of £336,075.

The husband has incurred costs of £587,841. He has paid the wife’s costs and has paid all the experts’ costs and makes complaint that notwithstanding his payment the wife has failed to meet court directions in the preparation of this case. This costs expenditure is compounded by the fact that the parties are also involved in Children Act proceedings. There was a 4-day hearing in November 2024. The total legal costs, largely met by the husband, are approximately £1.3 million.

At the PTR, which I heard, these proceedings were held up by an application from the wife’s previous solicitors, Lawrence Stephens, to join these proceedings because she had not paid their bill. A resolution was reached such that they did not join, but I did on that occasion make a limited costs order against the wife.