High Court Judge Mr Justice Mostyn today urged wealthy Malaysian divorcees to resolve their differences as the cumulative costs bill for their ongoing divorce shot over £6 million.
Dr Khoo Kay Peng is chairman of and one of the largest shareholders in the Laura Ashley High Street retail chain. He separated from his wife of 40 years, Pauline Chai, in 2012, and she filed for divorce not long afterwards. They have five children. She has settled in Hertfordshire while her husband remains in Malaysia.
The divorce has rumbled on ever since, with the couple arguing over whether the Malaysian or English courts should have jurisdiction over the divorce. At the end of last year, Dr Peng unsuccessfully appealed a decision to allow the dispute to proceed in England.
During a private hearing in the High Court, the veteran judge described the costs bill to date as “stratospheric”.
He told the former couple:
“It really is time for an armistice to be declared.”
That’s the price of divorce..bickering over who gets more or entitled to more…and greedy Solicitors…