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Marco Pierre White challenge could change divorce battles for ever |
"Marco Pierre White's divorce case has hit the newspapers again. The Court of Appeal recently ruled that White could proceed with his case against his wife and her solicitors, celebrity firm Withers. White claims that his wife and her solicitors wrongly intercepted and seized his personal papers, including a letter written to him by his daughter from a previous marriage which called for a speedy reply. White was unable to reply to his daughter as there was a long delay until he saw the letter.
Family solicitors are becoming concerned at what the next court hearing will determine. The Court of Appeal gave White approval to seek damages from Withers for 'wrongful interference with his property' after his wife intercepted his mail. If the Court do award White damages it may put an end to husbands and wives doing their own 'detective' work where it is suspected that one party is lying about their financial resources.
We, as family solicitors, need the Court to provide clear guidance so that we can advice clients properly. At the moment a document left lying around can be copied and given to your solicitor and used in financial proceedings arising from divorce. However, if such actions may lead to cases of professional misconduct for the solicitors involved and potentially claims for damages it is vitally important that the law is clarified so that clients can be told what they can and cannot do.
The Times article, attached below, has a list of useful 'do's and don'ts during divorce' which is well worth a read. We will know the outcome of Marco Pierre White's claim for damages before the end of the year."
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