Costs warning in expensive divorce

A judge has executed a costs deterrent after “deceptive” presentations in a divorce case.

The couple had spent an estimated combined £2m in costs in the UK as well as legal fees in France and Switzerland.

In Joy v Joy-Morancho & Others [2015] EWHC 2507 (Fam), the wife sought £27m but the husband claimed he faced “financial ruin”. The couple had spent an estimated combined £2m in costs in the UK as well as legal fees in France and Switzerland.

Ordering the husband to pay the wife’s costs since May 2013—about £334,000—Sir Peter Singer said: “Where one party hatches a wholly deceptive presentation, pursues it persistently to the conclusion, and is found to have done precisely all of that, then he or she should expect no quarter from the court when it comes to costs. Such conduct unravels all and can and should in an extreme case where the conclusions are clear have clear costs condemnation meted out as the court’s response.”