header-logo header-logo

07 August 2015 / Henrietta Mason , Paola Fudakowska
Issue: 7664 / Categories: Features , Wills & Probate
printer mail-detail

Setting things straight

nlj_7664_masonfudakowska

Henrietta Mason & Paola Fudakowska return with a wills & probate update

The tabloids picked up on the case of Dellal v Dellal [2015] EWHC 907 (Fam), [2015] All ER (D) 43 (Apr), involving the estate of high rolling gambler Jack Dellal and his former beauty queen wife. The case deals with procedural questions and is a useful reminder of the differences between, and principles of, applications for summary judgment and strike out. So what can practitioners learn from it?

Lessons from Dellal

In Dellal , the court refused to strike out or determine by summary judgment the claimant widow’s claim for provision from the deemed net estate of her husband under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (the 1975 Act).

Mr Dellal was a very wealthy property tycoon, listed in The Sunday Times Rich List as worth around £445m in the year he died and (tabloid reports would have it) prone to gambling away £1m in a single night in the casinos of Mayfair and Monaco.

He died in 2012,

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Winckworth Sherwood—David Fendt

Winckworth Sherwood—David Fendt

Restructuring and insolvency practice strengthened by partner hire

Gateley Legal—Billy Poulter & Shay Moore

Gateley Legal—Billy Poulter & Shay Moore

North West residential development team welcomes partner and associate

Burgess Mee—Victoria Sterritt

Burgess Mee—Victoria Sterritt

Family law boutique expands London team with legal director hire

NEWS
The Supreme Court’s decision in Dillon highlights a central tension in modern public law: rights may be recognised without being fully realised
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming legal practice, but its successful adoption depends as much on culture as technology
Non-court dispute resolution is no longer an alternative in family law—it is rapidly becoming the norm
The fallout from Lord Mandelson’s appointment and dismissal as UK ambassador to Washington raises profound questions about constitutional governance, accountability and political appointments
Some employment law controversies never disappear—they merely lie dormant
back-to-top-scroll