Divorcee gets half of £20m fortune
Mrs Lambert, 50, claimed at the Court of Appeal that she made an equal contribution to her former husband’s business and was therefore entitled to half its selling price.
The appeal court agreed with her claim. Lord Justice Thorpe, in his conclusions to his judgement, said: “There must be an end to the sterile assertion that the breadwinner’s contribution weighs heavier than the homemaker’s.”
The divorcee was married for 23 years to the founder of the Adscene newspaper chain, Harry Lambert, 58. Last year the High Court awarded her the marital home, Ringleton Manor, near Sandwich, Kent, worth £1.4m, and the accompanying Ringleton Lodge, worth £250,000.
She was also allowed to keep assets worth £2.8m and was given a lump sum of £3.2m.
Three appeal judges increased her lump sum yesterday to £5.75m or whatever amount was necessary to ensure she had a half share of the wealth created during the marriage.
The victory by Mrs Lambert means her ex-husband will almost certainly end up paying both sides’ legal fees, estimated at £1 million.
There is to be a further hearing on November 25 to complete the final wording of the settlement when the costs issue will be argued.
None of the parties or their lawyers was present in court when Mr Justice Thorpe handed down the ruling of the three judges.
High Court judge Mr Justice Connell had found Mrs Lambert made a full contribution to the marriage and that the ‘pot of gold’ was built up during their time together. He then awarded her £7.5 million, giving the husband a 70% greater share of the total fortune.
Schillings, the solicitors representing Mrs Lambert, said their client had fought for equality and had won the £10 million she was seeking.
“This case is a historic decision which eliminates discrimination in divorce. It is a long overdue reform.”
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