Locations we serve
Locations we serve
Locations we serve
Divorce
Divorce
Divorce
Other Services
Services
Services
020 7404 9390
Available 24 hours
BOOK CONSULTATION WHATSAPP US MESSAGE US PHONE US

Chai v Peng

The case of former beauty queen Pauline Chai and her businessman husband, Khoo Kay Peng, is one of the largest and most complex to come before the English courts. The couple were married for 43 years, as the Malaysian businessman built up a multi-million pound empire, which includes high street name Laura Ashley.

Their divorce began in 2013, when the wife, represented by Vardags, issued a petition for divorce in London. The husband disputed that she had the necessary link to England to do so, and so issued his own petition in Malaysia. For nearly two years, the parties fought over the correct jurisdiction for the case to be heard. Mr Justice Bodey, of the English High Court, ultimately ruled that England was the correct forum, a ruling later approved by the Court of Appeal.

In April 2017, Pauline Chai was awarded a £64 million divorce settlement, one of the largest ever recorded.

If you are considering or going through a divorce, click below for a free initial consultation with one of our expert divorce solicitors.

BOOK MY FREE CONSULTATION

Reported judgments

Chai v Peng EWHC 3518 (Fam) Chai v Peng EWHC 3519 (Fam) Chai v Peng EWHC 1519 (Fam) Chai v Peng EWHC 750 (Fam)

Press coverage

Final judgment

The £64m divorce that shows English courts recognise each spouse%27s role in a marriage (The Times)

Laura Ashley boss, 78, is ordered to give his wife, 70, £64million in their divorce settlement as their long running high court battle finally finishes (Daily Mail)

%27Homemaker%27 ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss wins a third of his £200m fortune after bitter divorce battle (Telegraph)

Decree Absolute

Laura Ashley boss and wife mired in financial dispute end marriage (Guardian)

Financial proceedings

Judge orders Laura Ashley tycoon to stop wasting time and settle his £440million divorce battle with former Miss Malaysia wife (Daily Mail)

Laura Ashley boss ordered to make his wife an offer in %27titanic%27 £440m divorce battle (Telegraph)

Court orders Laura Ashley boss to settle %27titanic%27 divorce case (Guardian)

Decree Nisi

Tycoon%27s wife gets decree nisi in London court (The Straits Times)

Laura Ashley boss%27 marriage to former beauty queen Pauline Chai ends amid £440m divorce battle (Independent)

Former Miss Malaysia wins battle to have Laura Ashley boss ex-husband%27s £440million fortune divided in UK courts where she will get a better deal (Daily Mail)

Financial proceedings

Laura Ashley boss told to stop carping about cashflow and pay wife £500,000 (The Times)

The information on this website is intended as a guide and does not constitute legal advice. Vardags do not accept liability for any errors in the information on this website, nor any losses stemming from reliance upon the statements made herein. All articles and pages aim to reflect the legal position at time they were published, and may have been rendered obsolete by subsequent developments in the law. Should you require specialist advice, tailored to your situation, please see how Vardags can help you.

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Ayesha Vardag

Founder & President Ayesha Vardag Founder & President Divorce & Family
“Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer.” 
The Telegraph

Stephen Bence

Chief Executive Officer Stephen Bence Vardags CEO
“Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius.” 
Lewis Marks KC

David Lister

Senior Partner - Divorce & Family David Lister
“Brilliant with a real spark which clients love” 
Legal 500
This site uses cookies. Find out more. Continued use of this site is deemed as consent.   CLOSE ✖