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Paul McCartney-Heather Mills Divorce Saga Ends in $48.6 Million Settlement
Payne Hicks Beach family law partner Fiona Shackleton represented McCartney throughout the proceedings
Legal Week
March 17, 2008
Heather Mills has been awarded almost 25 million pounds ($50 million) in the settlement of her high-profile court battle with former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, in one of the largest-ever celebrity divorce settlements.
Mills -- who represented herself after parting company with West End firm Mishcon de Reya -- failed to agree on a settlement with McCartney during their lengthy court battle, leaving the judge, Justice Bennett, to determine the final figure.
It was announced Monday that Mills will receive 14 million pounds ($28 million) for herself and 2.5 million pounds ($5 million) to buy a house in London. With the addition of 7.8 million pounds ($15.6 million) in her existing assets, she will exit the marriage with a total of 24.3 million pounds ($48.6 million).
Payne Hicks Beach family law partner Fiona Shackleton represented McCartney throughout the proceedings.
Former model Mills split from McCartney in April 2006 after four years of marriage. She originally sought 125 million pounds ($250 million), having claimed that her ex-husband was worth more than 800 million pounds ($1.6 billion). However, the court found that McCartney's fortune totalled just 400 million pounds ($800.5 million).
Mills told reporters outside London's high court today that she was "glad that it was over" and that "it was an incredible result to secure [her and her daughter's] future."
The couple split in April 2006 after four years of marriage, with the judgment based on Mills and McCartney co-habiting since June 11, 2002.
The settlement comes after it emerged last month that Mishcon de Reya is in dispute with Mills -- who publicly urged more litigants to represent themselves -- over alleged unpaid fees. The firm split from Mills in November 2007, ending an 18-month relationship between litigation specialist Anthony Julius and the client.
