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 Ms. Chai, represented by Vardags, issued a petition for divorce in [London](https://vardags.com/law-guide/basic-principles/english-jurisdiction). The husband disputed that she had the [necessary link to England](https://vardags.com/law-guide/key-stages-divorce-process/establishing-jurisdiction-grounds-divorce) to do so, and so issued his own petition in [Malaysia](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/malaysia). For nearly two years, the parties fought over the correct jurisdiction for the case to be heard. Ms. Chai argued that the case should be heard in [England](https://vardags.com/law-guide/basic-principles/english-jurisdiction), based on her [habitual residence](https://vardags.com/law-guide/key-stages-divorce-process/establishing-jurisdiction-grounds-divorce) in their property in [Hertfordshire](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/hertfordshire). She also feared that she would be unable to receive a fair settlement given her husband's influence in Malaysia. Mr Justice Bodey noted that Ms. Chai did not share the same meaningful connections with Malaysia as her husband. Although the couple were both originally from Malaysia and married there, Ms. Chai left the country in 1980, whilst her husband continued living and working there. Ms. Chai moved with their five children to [Australia](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/australia), [Canada](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/canada), and then the UK, living apart from her husband for much of the marriage. The husband argued that Ms. Chai was a 'forum-shopper' and had petitioned in England purely to obtain a greater financial settlement than she would be awarded in Malaysia. This was rejected on the basis that there was not sufficient evidence to suggest that the Malaysian Court would have awarded Ms. Chai a significantly smaller settlement. 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. Mr Justice Bodey followed the general starting point of the courts in deciding a financial settlement, which is the 'yardstick of equality' - the [principle of equal sharing](https://vardags.com/law-guide/assets-in-divorce) of [matrimonial assets](https://vardags.com/law-guide/assets-in-divorce/what-is-the-difference-between-marital-and-non-marital-assets). In doing so, he rejected the husband's claims that this should be departed from on the basis of taking 'a sideways look' at Malaysian law, as well arguments related to [pre-acquired wealth](https://vardags.com/law-guide/assets-in-divorce/what-is-the-difference-between-marital-and-non-marital-assets) and [special contribution](https://vardags.com/law-guide/the-ultimate-guide-to-special-contributions-in-divorce). 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 FREE CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/contact "BOOK FREE CONSULTATION") Reported judgments ------------------ [Chai v Peng & Ors \[2017\] EWHC 792 (Fam) (06 April 2017)](https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2017/792.html) [Chai v Peng \[2014\] EWHC 750 (Fam) (13 March 2014)](https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2014/750.html) [Chai v Peng \[2014\] EWHC 1519 (Fam) (01 May 2014)](https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2014/1519.html) [Chai v Peng \[2014\] EWHC 3518 (Fam) (17 October 2014)](https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2014/3518.html) [Chai v Peng \[2014\] EWHC 3519 (Fam) (17 October 2014)](https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2014/3519.html) [Chai v Peng \[2015\] EWCA Civ 790 (12 June 2015)](https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2015/790.html) Press coverage -------------- ### Final judgment [The £64m divorce that shows English courts recognise each spouse's role in a marriage (The Times)](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/law/the-64m-divorce-that-shows-english-courts-treat-marriage-as-a-partnership-lqxvq26qg) [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)](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4387538/Laura-Ashley-boss-ordered-wife-70-64million.html) ['Homemaker'ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss wins a third of his £200m fortune after bitter divorce battle (Telegraph)](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/06/homemaker-ex-wife-laura-ashley-boss-wins-third-200m-income-payout/) ### Decree Absolute [Laura Ashley boss and wife mired in financial dispute end marriage (Guardian)](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jan/26/laura-ashley-boss-wife-mired-financial-dispute-end-marriage-khoo-kap-peng) ### Financial proceedings [Judge orders Laura Ashley tycoon to stop wasting time and settle his £440million divorce battle with former Miss Malaysia wife (Daily Mail)](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3444275/Judge-orders-Laura-Ashley-tycoon-stop-wasting-time-settle-440million-divorce-battle-former-Miss-Malaysia-wife.html) [Laura Ashley boss ordered to make his wife an offer in 'titanic' £440m divorce battle (Telegraph)](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/12153769/Laura-Ashley-boss-ordered-to-make-his-wife-an-offer-in-titanic-440m-divorce-battle.html) [Court orders Laura Ashley boss to settle 'titanic' divorce case (Guardian)](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/12/court-orders-laura-ashley-boss-to-settle-titanic-divorce-case) ### Decree Nisi [Tycoon's wife gets decree nisi in London court (The Straits Times)](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/tycoons-wife-gets-decree-nisi-in-london-court) [Laura Ashley boss'marriage to former beauty queen Pauline Chai ends amid £440m divorce battle (Independent)](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/laura-ashley-boss-khoo-kay-peng-ends-marriage-amid-440m-divorce-battle-a6801341.html) [Former Miss Malaysia wins battle to have Laura Ashley boss ex-husband's £440million fortune divided in UK courts where she will get a better deal (Daily Mail)](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3389294/Former-Miss-Malaysia-wife-finally-granted-divorce-Laura-Ashley-boss-husband-three-year-court-battle-440million-fortune.html) ### Financial proceedings [Laura Ashley boss told to 'stop carping about cashflow' and pay wife £500,000 (The Times)](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/laura-ashley-boss-told-to-stop-carping-about-cashflow-and-pay-wife-pound500000-2frs2cpbwpd) About Us -------- Ayesha VardagFounder & President "A DIVORCE LAWYER WIDELY REGARDED AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST" The Metro Vardags offer a unique approach to the law, specially tailored to the needs of HNW individuals. We offer City-quality representation for your divorce and family law needs. Our lawyers come from the very best universities and receive the very best training - they are determined, diligent, and dedicated to getting the best outcome... [read more](https://vardags.com/about-us) [BOOK FREE CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/contact) OUR FOREIGN DESKS ----------------- Our foreign desks are comprised of top multi-lingual lawyers, with a network of international contacts. [Australia Desk](https://vardags.com/international/australia "Australia Desk") [Bahrain Desk](https://vardags.com/international/bahrain "Bahrain Desk") [BVI Desk](https://vardags.com/international/bvi "BVI Desk") [Belgium Desk](https://vardags.com/international/belgium "Belgium Desk") [Bermuda Desk](https://vardags.com/international/bermuda "Bermuda Desk") [Canada Desk](https://vardags.com/international/canada "Canada Desk") [Cayman Islands Desk](https://vardags.com/international/cayman-islands "Cayman Islands Desk") [China Desk](https://vardags.com/international/china "China Desk") [Dubai (UAE) Desk](https://vardags.com/international/dubai "Dubai (UAE) Desk") [France Desk](https://vardags.com/international/france "France Desk") [Germany Desk](https://vardags.com/international/germany "Germany Desk") [Gibraltar Desk](https://vardags.com/international/gibraltar "Gibraltar Desk") [Greece Desk](https://vardags.com/international/greece "Greece Desk") [Guernsey Desk](https://vardags.com/international/guernsey "Guernsey Desk") [Hong Kong Desk](https://vardags.com/international/hong-kong "Hong Kong Desk") [India Desk](https://vardags.com/international/india "India Desk") [Italy Desk](https://vardags.com/international/italy "Italy Desk") [Jersey Desk](https://vardags.com/international/jersey "Jersey Desk") [Kuwait Desk](https://vardags.com/international/kuwait "Kuwait Desk") [Republic of Ireland Desk](https://vardags.com/international/republic-of-ireland "Republic of Ireland Desk") [Liechtenstein Desk](https://vardags.com/international/liechtenstein "Liechtenstein Desk") [Luxembourg Desk](https://vardags.com/international/luxembourg "Luxembourg Desk") [Malaysia Desk](https://vardags.com/international/malaysia "Malaysia Desk") [Malta Desk](https://vardags.com/international/malta "Malta Desk") [Mauritius Desk](https://vardags.com/international/mauritius "Mauritius Desk") [Monaco Desk](https://vardags.com/international/monaco "Monaco Desk") [Netherlands Desk](https://vardags.com/international/netherlands "Netherlands Desk") [New Zealand Desk](https://vardags.com/international/new-zealand "New Zealand Desk") [Oman Desk](https://vardags.com/international/oman "Oman Desk") [Russia Desk](https://vardags.com/international/russia "Russia Desk") [United States of America Desk](https://vardags.com/international/united-states-america "United States of America Desk") [Portugal Desk](https://vardags.com/international/portugal "Portugal Desk") [Poland Desk](https://vardags.com/international/poland "Poland Desk") [Qatar Desk](https://vardags.com/international/qatar "Qatar Desk") [Saudi Arabia Desk](https://vardags.com/international/saudi-arabia "Saudi Arabia Desk") [Scotland Desk](https://vardags.com/international/scotland "Scotland Desk") [Singapore Desk](https://vardags.com/international/singapore "Singapore Desk") [South Africa Desk](https://vardags.com/international/south-africa "South Africa Desk") [Spain Desk](https://vardags.com/international/spain "Spain Desk") [Switzerland Desk](https://vardags.com/international/switzerland "Switzerland Desk") Glossary Reference ------------------ ### Divorce settlement A common phrase to refer to the conclusion of divorce proceedings and the financial proceedings. ### Jurisdiction in divorce cases The court must have 'jurisdiction' in order to hear a case. Jurisdiction is a complex legal principle, but will largely depend on the parties links to a particular country. 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. What our clients say -------------------- Getting any kind of family problem is really when you are at your most vulnerable variables and their whole team were incredibly supportive, kind, attentive and caring throughout the entire experience. The whole team were... incredibly supportive, kind, attentive, and caring throughout the entire experience. Geeta Sidhu-Robb I would like to say working with the staff at Vardags was a great support to me at a difficult time of my life but with their support and sensitivity I was able to get through the experience with less stress and ease. If anyone... is looking for a good legal team I would recommend Vardags. They may cost a bit more but will give you good service. Brenda Hart Being supportive, reassuring, & attentive throughout the process, I definitively felt that everyone in the Team was investing in my affairs throughout. Martin Waters Your care throughout was amazing. Christina Wolff Thanks to their tireless efforts, I walk away from this episode free to move on with both my career and my life in peace. Cliff Krause I hope you don't need it, but if you do, I would highly recommend Vardags. Xiao Ma OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM ------------------- [### Ayesha Vardag](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag Founder & President Divorce & Family") [### Stephen Bence](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/stephen-bence "Stephen Bence Vardags CEO") [### David Lister](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/david-lister "David Lister") [Founder & President](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag Founder & President Divorce & Family") [Chief Executive Officer](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/stephen-bence "Stephen Bence Vardags CEO") [Senior Partner and Head of London Family - Divorce & Family](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/david-lister "David Lister") [### Ayesha Vardag Founder & President ](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag Founder & President Divorce & Family")"Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." The Telegraph [### Stephen Bence Chief Executive Officer](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/stephen-bence "Stephen Bence Vardags CEO")"Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius." Lewis Marks KC [### David Lister Senior Partner and Head of London Family - Divorce & Family ](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/david-lister "David Lister")"Brilliant with a real spark which clients love" Legal 500 [Meet the rest of the team](https://vardags.com/team) [Vardags climbs ranks of UK's biggest firms in The Lawyer's UK 200](https://vardags.com/posts/vardags-london-climbs-ranks-of-uks-biggest-firms-in-the-lawyers-uk-200)