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England and Wales Family Court Decisions (High Court Judges) |
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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> England and Wales Family Court Decisions (High Court Judges) >> Her Royal Highness Haya Bint Al Hussein v His Highness Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum [2021] EWFC 94 (19 November 2021) URL: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2021/94.html Cite as: [2021] EWFC 94 |
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Strand London WC2A 2LL |
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B e f o r e :
____________________
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS HAYA BINT AL HUSSEIN |
Applicant |
|
-and- |
||
HIS HIGHNESS MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM |
Respondent |
____________________
Nigel Dyer QC, Lord Pannick QC, Brian Green QC, Daniel Bentham and Stephen Jarmain (instructed by Harbottle and Lewis) for the Respondent
Hearing dates: 25th October to 3rd November 2021 and 19th November 2021
____________________
Crown Copyright ©
MR JUSTICE MOOR:-
The relevant history, including the litigation history
Evidence filed in support of the respective cases
The respective Open Proposals
The parties' Case Summaries
The Law I must apply – Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989
(a) The income, earning capacity, property and other financial resources which (each parent) has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future;
(b) The financial needs, obligations and responsibilities which (each parent) has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future;
(c) The financial needs of the child;
(d) Any physical or mental disability of the child; and
(e) The manner in which the child was being, or was expected to be educated and trained.
"a father – even the richest father – ought not to be regarded as having 'financial obligations [or] responsibilities' to provide funds for the purpose of such settlements as are envisaged in this case on children who are under no disability and whose maintenance and education is secure".
"I make it clear that, although I am satisfied that the jurisdiction exists, and that the trial judge was entitled to exercise it, it will remain a very rare bird indeed. In this case, the Child Support Act 1991 did not apply as the husband was habitually resident in the USA. The combination of: (1) incessant litigation, on which the trial judge found the husband thrived; (2) repeated defaults on the part of the husband with the maintenance obligation; and (3) the age of the child and the relatively short period until the maintenance liability expired, all militated strongly in favour of a capitalisation and the ending of financial links between the parties. In the overwhelming majority of cases, however, the risks and uncertainties inherent in capitalisation will lead the court, where it has jurisdiction, to make, or continue, a traditional order for periodical payments."
Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984
(a) The income, earning capacity, property and other financial resources which each of the parties to the marriage has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future, including in the case of earning capacity, any increase in that capacity which it would, in the opinion of the court, be reasonable to expect a party to the marriage to take steps to acquire;
(b) The financial needs, obligations and responsibilities which each of the parties to the marriage has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future;
(c) The standard of living enjoyed by the family before the breakdown of the marriage;
(d) The age of each party to the marriage and the duration of the marriage;
(e) Any physical or mental disability of either of the parties to the marriage;
(f) The contributions which each of the parties has made or is likely in the foreseeable future to make to the welfare of the family, including any contribution by looking after the home or caring for the family;
(g) The conduct of each of the parties, if that conduct is such that it would in the opinion of the court be inequitable to disregard it; and
(h) The value to each of the parties to the marriage of any benefit which, by reason of the dissolution ...of the marriage, that party will lose the chance of acquiring.
"71 ... the proper approach to Part III simply depends on a careful application of sections 16, 17 and 18 in the light of the legislative purpose, which was the alleviation of the adverse consequences of no, or no adequate, financial provision being made by a foreign court in a situation where there were substantial connections with England. ...
72. It is not the purpose of Part III to allow a spouse (usually, in current conditions, the wife) with some English connections to make an application in England to take advantage of what may well be the more generous approach in England to financial provision, particularly in so-called big-money cases. There is no condition of exceptionality for the purposes of section 16, but it will not usually be a case for an order under Part III where the wife had a right to apply for financial relief under the foreign law, and an award was made in the foreign country. In such cases mere disparity between that award and what would be awarded on an English divorce will certainly be insufficient to trigger the application of Part III. Nor is hardship or injustice (much less serious injustice) a condition of the exercise of the jurisdiction, but if either factor is present, it may make it appropriate, in the light of all the circumstances, for an order to be made, and may affect the nature of the provision ordered. Of course, the court will not lightly characterise foreign law, or the order of a foreign court, as unjust.
73. The amount of financial provision will depend on all the circumstances of the case and there is no rule that it should be the minimum amount required to overcome injustice. The following general principles should be applied. First, primary consideration must be given to the welfare of any children of the marriage. This can cut both ways as the children may be being supported by the foreign spouse. Second, it will never be appropriate to make an order which gives the claimant more than she or he would have been awarded had all proceedings taken place within this jurisdiction. Third, where possible the order should have the result that provision is made for the reasonable needs of each spouse. Subject to these principles, the court has a broad discretion. The reasons why it was appropriate for an order to be made in England are among the circumstances to be taken into account in deciding what order should be made. Where the English connections of the case are very strong there may be no reason why the application should not be treated as if it were made in purely English proceedings."
"70.....There will be some cases, with a strong English connection, where it will be appropriate to ask what provision would have been made had the divorce been granted in England. There will be other cases where the connection is not strong and a spouse has received adequate provision from the foreign court. Then it will not be appropriate for Part III to be used simply as a tool to "top-up" that provision to that which she would have received in an English divorce".
More general matters of law
"88. When undertaking this task the court will, obviously, be entitled to draw such adverse inferences as are justified having regard to the nature and extent of the party's failure to engage properly with the proceedings. However, this does not require the court to engage in a disproportionate enquiry. Nor, as Lord Sumption said, should the court "engage in pure speculation". As Otton LJ said in Baker v Baker, inferences must be "properly drawn and reasonable". This was reiterated by Lady Hale in Prest v Petrodel, at [85]: "... the court is entitled to draw such inferences as can properly be drawn from all the available material, including what has been disclosed, judicial experience of what is likely to be being concealed and the inherent probabilities, in deciding what the facts are."
Tax
The evidence of HRH Princess Haya
The evidence of Director 1
My conclusions on the issues of principle
(a) A capitalised payment to HRH to cover her security needs for herself for life and for the children during their dependency, to include during tertiary education;
(b) A lump sum to compensate HRH for the chattels she has lost as a result of the ending of the marriage and to deal with other aspects such as the costs of the litigation;
(c) A secured periodical payments order to cover the general maintenance of the children to the completion of their tertiary education and to continue thereafter to cover their security needs as adults, irrespective of the death of HH, secured by bank guarantee from HSBC, backdated, at least in part, to the date of the Schedule 1 application; and
(d) An education fund in the sum of £3.04 million, which I accept should be administered by independent accountants.
Quantum
The security budget
General maintenance
The costs of security for the children as adults and the level of security
Conclusion
(a) A lump sum to HRH of £251,500,000 to be paid within 3 months;
(b) An education fund in the agreed sum of £3,040,000 to be held by accountants to be agreed between the parties or appointed by the court;
(c) Payable from the date of this order, secured periodical payments payable at the rate of £5,600,000 pa per child to HRH for the benefit of the children until they shall respectively cease full-time tertiary education or four years after they have commenced their first degree, whichever is later, whereupon it is to be paid direct to each child until further order with the figures being indexed according to the CPI index and secured by an HSBC Bank Guarantee in the sum of £290 million.
(d) The order of the President is varied to provide for periodical payments from 9 December 2019 to the date of this order at the rate of £3,042,228 per child over and above the security budget, with credit for payments made. The arrears of £9,628,065 to be paid within one month.
(e) No order as to costs.
Mr Justice Moor
9 November 2021
Schedule A - Capital award
Description |
|
Security upgrades to HRH's home near Kensington Palace & CW |
820,445.00 |
CAPEX for Schedule J [*provided for in the 29.6.20 Order] |
116,300.00 |
Education fund for Zayed - see Schedule E(i) |
|
Education fund for Jalila - see Schedule E(ii) |
|
Replacement horse box (HRH - through Team Harmony had 3 horse boxes: 1 x custom-made 2018 Roelofson, a 2nd Roelofson and 1 x Chardron but these remain with HH [*plus a Theault French Coachbuilt 2 horse transporter]). If HH returns them to HRH this purchase will not be required. |
300,000.00 |
Kitchen extension, pizza oven & kitchen curtains HRH's home near Kensington Palace |
1,912,254.00 |
Security lodge & studio upgrades CW |
231,353.00 |
Art studio refurbishment CW |
280,446.00 |
Gutter replacement CW |
30,000.00 |
Shutters CW |
30,000.00 |
Full check of electrics/RCDS/electric boards, excl. replacement CW |
19,000.00 |
Additional gravel for the driveway & tennis court repairs CW |
7,000.00 |
Installation of new fitted kitchen CW |
216,000.00 |
Groundworks: drainage system to minimise waterlogging in the grounds CW |
30,000.00 |
40 year lease of adjacent fields (£1,500 per quarter (with increase)) CW |
240,000.00 |
Erection of garage for 3 additional vehicles (shell only, internal cost TBC) |
|
2 x Somersault Sunken Trampolines incl. delivery & installation (quote 18.02.20). The children had 2 at the Beach Palace in Dubai |
39,000.00 |
Refurbishment of accommodation for security |
210,523.00 |
IHT 10-year charge HRH's home near Kensington Palace due in 2026 |
5,278,000.00 |
IHT 10-year charge HRH's home near Kensington Palace due in 2036 |
- |
IHT 10-year charge CW due in 2026 |
388,500.00 |
IHT 10-year charge CW due in 2036 |
- |
ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE NOT IN |
|
PREVIOUS BUDGET: | |
Generator for CW |
54,153.00 |
Professional fees for establishment of future Trusts |
- |
Jewellery |
13,683,132.00 |
Haute couture |
1,000,000.00 |
Motor vehicles |
1,000,000.00 |
Horses |
5,000,000.00 |
Costs paid out of personal resources |
5,750,000.00 |
Outstanding costs |
2,500,000.00 |
|
|
* Provided for in the 29.6.20 & 14.10.20 Orders |
(872,600.00) |
|
38,263,506.00 |
|
|
CW - Property Physical Upgrades Phase 2 |
216,640.00 |
CW - Dovecotes - Phase 1 |
2,387.00 |
CW - Dovecotes - Phase 2
|
10,913.00 |
CW - ANPR Cameras |
4,141.00 |
CW - Thermal PTZ Camera |
17,879.00 |
CAPEX Contingency |
- |
8/9 - Vehicle Gate Upgrade |
7,266.00 |
8/9 - Pedestrian Gate |
4,649.00 |
6 & 7 - Vehicle Gate Upgrade |
28,303.00 |
HRH's home near Kensington Palace - IT System Upgrade |
83,380.00 |
Ballistic Blankets & Ballistic Shields |
64,000.00 |
Equipment |
53,800.00 |
Replacement vehicles and modification* |
1,500,000.00 |
Car park at CW to store securely security vehicles |
1,046,049.00 |
Cyber Security (see Dir 1 Statement of 5.10.20) |
- |
Provided for at §3.a of the 14.10.20 Order |
- |
*2 Armoured vehicles provided for in the 27.04.21 Order |
- |
|
£3,039,407 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
£41,302,913 |
Schedule B - Security budget for capitalisation
Description |
Award |
Salaries |
£3,149,924 |
Pensions |
£94,498 |
Healthcare & other benefits |
£62,998 |
Bonuses |
£157,496 |
Employer's national insurance |
£434,690 |
Severance costs |
£150,000 |
Training |
£45,250 |
Flights & domestic travel for recces only |
£0 |
Hotels for recces only |
£0 |
Sustenance |
£203,999 |
Mobile & fixed telephony |
£19,800 |
Audit & accountancy fees (PWC) |
£42,000 |
Consultancy fees |
£865,300 |
NEW LINE: Temp & Contractors Costs (previously included in Consultancy Fees) |
£125,000 |
Rent, rates & other premises |
£450,800 |
Insurance (PL and travel) |
£50,480 |
Postage & stationery |
£1,000 |
Bank charges |
£1,000 |
Professional fees & Company fees |
£378,000 |
Contingency |
£120,000 |
Annual maintenance of physical security equipment |
£175,000 |
Overseas travel (only 14 days) |
£26,315 |
|
|
Additional security |
£500,789 |
IT costs |
|
Maintenance and running costs of security vehicles |
£213,200 |
Replacement fleet of 14 security vehicles every other year |
|
Additional security services |
£83,333 |
Vehicle Fleet Manager |
£159,208 |
VAT on additions (excl. Vehicle Fleet Manager) |
£587,500 |
|
£2,160,000 |
|
£90,000 |
|
£640,648 |
Total |
£10,988,228 |
Schedule C - HRH's home near Kensington Palace
Description |
Award |
Trust/legal fees: S Trust |
152,000.00 |
Utility providers & others: gas, electricity, hyperoptic, internet, telephone system, Sky, water, bins, TV licence, Council Tax, etc. |
57,600.00 |
Insurance: contents & buildings insurance |
30,600.00 |
House consumables: food & consumables for household and staff |
65,000.00 |
Employee costs: staff salaries incl. employer's pension & national insurance contributions & mobile phones. Nb excls. other employee associated costs listed in Schedule K |
348,400.00 |
Facility maintenance costs & others: contractor for house maintenance & supplies |
223,200.00 |
Household: household goods, cleaning products, white goods, dry cleaning, subscriptions, miscellaneous, etc. |
100,000.00 |
Wear & tear: interior & exterior redecoration (paint, carpets, curtains, wallpaper, refinishing of floors, window treatment etc.). Replacement of furniture, fixtures, fittings & equipment (once every 3 years) |
500,000.00 |
Comprehensive refurbishment: once every 10 years at a cost of £10 million |
1,000,000.00 |
Storage costs |
|
TOTAL |
2,476,800.00 |
Schedule D - Castlewood
Description |
Award |
Trust/legal fees: incl. Accuro & accountancy fees |
152,000.00 |
Utility providers & others: gas, electricity, internet, telephone, Sky, water, TV licence, Council Tax etc. |
43,800.00 |
Insurance: household, buildings & fine art |
9,800.00 |
House consumables: food & consumables for household |
25,000.00 |
Employee costs & staff mobile phones: staff salaries incl. employer's pension & national insurance contributions & healthcare |
162,100.00 |
Facility maintenance costs & others: gardeners & machinery/supplies, general property maintenance, window cleaners, pest control, pool services, security cameras, fire alarms etc. |
216,800.00 |
Housekeepers' purchases: household goods, cleaning products, white goods, dry cleaning, subscriptions, miscellaneous, etc. |
51,500.00 |
Wear & tear: Interior & exterior redecoration (paint, shutters, carpets, curtains, wallpaper, refinishing of floors, window treatment etc.). Replacement furniture, fixtures, fittings & equipment (once every 3 years) |
125,000.00 |
Comprehensive refurbishment: £3 million every 10 years |
200,000.00 |
Lease of field: (to be excl. if 40 year lease acquired as per capital schedule) |
3,800.00 |
Accommodation for staff: |
20,000.00 |
TOTAL |
1,009,800.00 |
Schedule E - Holidays
7 x return flights via private plane (incl. 1 week at Christmas, 2 weeks at Easter, 1 x 2 weeks and 1 x 1 week in the summer, 3 x 1 week during half-term holidays) |
1,000,000.00 |
Travel whilst abroad |
|
Hotels & accommodation whilst abroad |
667,400.00 |
Food, expenses & activities |
300,000.00 |
Visas |
8,800.00 |
3 x return flights via private plane for 3 x long weekends to Jordan |
360,000.00 |
Food, expenses & activities during long weekends to Jordan |
71,700.00 |
Travel insurance |
|
2 x 1 weeks in UK (accommodation only) |
105,000.00 |
Food, expenses & activities during 2 weeks away |
47,010.00 |
3 weekends away (accommodation only) |
40,500.00 |
Food, expenses & activities during 3 weekends away |
38,430.00 |
3 x helicopter return flights for weekends/weeks away |
36,000.00 |
Security Costs |
|
Manpower |
126,500.00 |
Flights |
212,500.00 |
Accommodation |
483,050.00 |
Subsistence |
110,370.00 |
Other Travel |
101,500.00 |
In-Country Logistics |
1,000,000.00 |
VAT on Security costs |
406,784.00 |
TOTAL |
5,115,544.00 |
Schedule F - Leisure
Description |
Award |
[item 1] |
300,000.00 |
[item 2] |
30,000.00 |
[item 3] |
50,000.00 |
[item 5] |
15,000.00 |
[item 6] |
30,000.00 |
[item 7] |
40,000.00 |
Presentations |
250,000.00 |
[item 8] |
8,000.00 |
[item 9] |
50,000.00 |
[item 10] |
20,000.00 |
[item 11] |
30,000.00 |
[item 12] |
75,000.00 |
[item 13] |
50,000.00 |
[item 14] |
50,000.00 |
[item 15] |
12,000.00 |
[item 16] |
500.00 |
[item 4] |
|
Total |
1,010,500.00 |
Schedule G - Animals
Description |
Award |
2 ponies and 1 horse which the children ride |
|
Food & livery costs incl. training |
75,000.00 |
New horse once every 2 - 3 years |
25,000.00 |
Vet |
10,000.00 |
Farriers |
5,000.00 |
Dentist |
1,000.00 |
Horse box (replace every 5 years) |
25,000.00 |
Medication and vitamins |
1,500.00 |
Boots/hat, body protectors |
4,000.00 |
Tack, bridle & saddle |
3,750.00 |
Horse shows |
10,200.00 |
Staff costs: salary incl. pension, health insurance & bonus |
50,000.00 |
Groom cover |
- |
Staff accommodation |
25,000.00 |
[Pets 1] |
|
Food |
£5,900 |
Vet |
£6,300 |
Toys, grooming, training, accessories etc. |
£12,000 |
[Assistant] |
£15,000 |
[Pets 2] |
|
Food |
£300 |
Vet |
£200 |
Extras |
£1,000 |
[Pets 3] / [Pets 4] |
|
Food |
£200 |
Vet |
£200 |
Extras |
£500 |
Total |
277,050.00 |
Schedule H - Children's Staffing
Description |
Award |
Nanny (incl. employer's national insurance & pension contributions, healthcare)1 |
111,296.00 |
Nanny's accommodation |
33,800.00 |
2nd nanny |
- |
2nd nanny's accommodation |
- |
Family nurse |
137,381.00 |
Family nurse's accommodation |
33, 800. 00 |
2nd family nurse |
- |
2nd family nurse's accommodation |
- |
Children's longstanding tutor |
100,000.00 |
Accommodation for tutor |
33,800.00 |
Total |
450,077.00 |
Schedule I - Total
HRH's home near Kensington Palace & housekeeping |
2,476,000.00 |
1,009,800.00 | |
5,115,544.00 | |
1,010,500.00 | |
277,050.00 | |
Children's staffing |
450,077.00 |
32,000.00 | |
644,610.00 | |
Private office - Amman |
139,400.00 |
Total |
11,154,981.00 |