£5m in Legal Fees and 2 years of Litigation over Jurisdiction for Laura Ashley Chairman and his Wife

Khoo Kay Peng and his estranged Wife Pauline Chai have been fighting for 2 years and spent over £5m between them to argue over the jurisdiction of their divorce. They cannot agree whether it should proceed in England or Malaysia. Ms Chai lives in England now and wishes to proceed in this jurisdiction as it is famously generous to wives. Is £5m proportionate? This sum represents around just 1% of the matrimonial assets so, arguably, yes! The matter was heard in the High Court on Tuesday and judgment was reserved.

Timothy Scott QC told a hearing in London that Chai had run up bills totalling about £3.5m and Khoo bills totalling about £1.5m.

The couple cannot agree on whether decisions about who should get what in the divorce settlement ought to be made in English or Malaysian courts.”