Family Law

London Divorce Courts Becoming Famous for Settlement Amounts

By ckramer

London has been labeled as the “divorce payout capital” of the world, according to a Reuters article. The courts there have been known to award large settlements in divorce cases.

These courts have handled high profile divorce settlements such as Heather Mills, who was awarded £24.3 million after her divorce from former Beatle Paul McCartney in 2008.

Now, foreign couples who are unhappy with their divorce settlements in their parts of the world are requesting the British courts to review their cases.

Recently, a woman with dual citizenship in Nigeria and England requested that the British courts review her divorce case. Under British divorce laws, financial relief can be granted to people whose divorce takes place in foreign country.

Sikirat Agbaje was not happy with her divorce settlement that she received from courts in Nigeria.

She had separated from her husband Olusola Agbaje in 1999 after 38 years of marriage. She then left Nigeria and traveled to London with her five children to make a new life. Her husband remained in Nigeria.

In her Nigerian divorce court settlement, Sikirat Agbaje was awarded money equaling £7,000. She also received some Lagos property that the couple had owned together during their marriage.

Since the couple was granted British citizenship in 1972, the British courts agreed to review her case.

A High Court British Judge awarded her £275,000. However, this ruling was overturned in an appeal case.

But the Supreme High Court decided that the ruling was fair and reinstated the award. They said that she should receive the monies because of the connection the couple had with England over the years.

Supreme Court Judge Collins said that the British high court awarded her the settlement because her ex-husband received much more under the Nigerian divorce court.

Collins further said that is was an injustice and hardship for Sikirat to survive while supporting the children on such a small settlement.

Some say this might open up opportunities for many more divorce settlements brought before the British courts for those that were unhappy with prior settlements they received.

Attorney Meredith Thompson said the ruling could likely result in an increase in the number of overseas claimants bringing their cases to London.

Full post as published by The Divorce Blog on March 18, 2010 (boomark / email).