Five Supreme Courts ruled that the divorce cash battle between Dale Vince and his ex-wife, Kathleen Wyatt, will be heard in a court of family law.
Despite the divorce being filed 23 years ago, Wyatt has put in a claim of £1.9million in finical settlement. Vince, founder of wind-power firm Ecotricity, called the proceedings “mad” and “extremely prejudicial” as there is no paperwork in existence to defend himself with.
The relationship broke down thirty years ago, with the divorce reaching a formal end in 1992. Although both parties moved on and started families of their own, Vince also went on to make his millions after the launch of his green energy firm in 1995.
Wyatt’s initial £1.9 million claim has been seen as too high, with an expectation of receiving a “comparatively modest award, perhaps of a size which would enable her to purchase a somewhat more comfortable, mortgage free home” more likely. The claim may still be dismissed, as another recent case between a millionaire horse surgeon and his ex-wife also falling short of expectations. The ex-wife was warned that she had no right to expect “an income for life” at her former husband’s expense.
When asked his opinion on the matter, Vince, founder of Ecotricity said “I feel that we all have a right to move on, and not be looking over our shoulders. This could signal open season for people who had brief relationships over a quarter of a century ago.”
“In this case there are no joint assets, the separation was 30 years ago, and there’s no incentive to be sensible on costs – because I’m paying both sides. It’s one thing to face a reckless claim, but another entirely to have to fund it to court.”
Source: Woman could win cash payout 20 years after divorce
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