The Independent reported that Michael Prest had received a four-week suspended prison sentence following his failure to pay £360,000 in maintenance to his former. wife. This decision followed the high-profile Supreme Court battle, in which Mr Prest sought to hide his assets behind corporate structures.
The High Court ruled that Mr Prest, who had been able to spend more than £250,000 on luxury holidays, was wilfully refusing to pay maintenance due to his ex-wife. Mr Prest failed to attend the hearing, claiming that he was ill. He claimed that his oil-trading career had failed and he was unable to satisfy the orders.
Vardags president, Ayesha Vardag, who previously acted for Ms Prest, told the paper: “This is a very welcome decision. The Family Courts are finally showing they have teeth. It’s the only way we’re going to get a justice system that actually works.”
Read more about our top lawyers for child maintenance matters and how they cater for HNW and UNHW individuals. Alternatively, read more about child maintenance and failures to pay.
Vardags Limited is a limited company trading as Vardags, Company No 7199468, registered in England and Wales, having its registered office at 10 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7NG. Vardags is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 535955). Its VAT number is 99 001 7230.
Vardags uses the term ‘Partner’ as a professional title only, to describe a Senior Solicitor, Employee or Consultant with relevant experience, expertise and qualifications (whether legally qualified or otherwise) to merit the title. Our Partners are not partners in the legal sense. They are not liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of Vardags Limited. Similarly, the term ’Director’ is a professional title only, to describe a non-legally qualified employee or consultant of Vardags with relevant experience, expertise and qualifications to merit the title. It does not necessarily imply that the relevant individual is a director of Vardags Limited.
A list of the directors of Vardags Limited and a list of the names of those using the title of ’Director’ and ’Partner’ together with their official status is available for inspection at Vardags’ registered office.