Asset tracing: A cat and mouse game
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![Asset tracing: A cat and mouse game](https://vardags.com/images/pictures/_360/96b317780b4be83e257d082940f4e6cf.jpeg)Following the conclusion of the long running case of Young v Young, Catherine Thomas, who represented Mrs Young, explained to that she sees more cases of that scale on the horizon, as well as talking about the challenge of asset tracing in divorce.

She wrote "*I have been representing Michelle over the last two months in what has been an incredibly complex and emotional case for all parties involved. Vardags also represented Michelle at various stages during the trial, and called into play draconian measures to make Mr Young engage with the case, from having his passport taken away to committing him to prison for non-disclosure*."

Having practised for several years at the top of family law, Catherine advised "*There is a constant game of cat and mouse going on in which avoidance techniques become more and more sophisticated. This mirrors the situation in tax avoidance/mitigation. Often the wealthy will originally hide their wealth in order to avoid paying all their taxes, but this then provides a convenient way to hide their assets during a divorce.*"

She was, however, optimistic about beating such devious tricks and tracing funds, concluding "*The Young verdict sends a strong message to those across the world seeking to hide their true wealth from their spouse - even the most intricate of financial arrangements can be exposed by specialist law firms*."



"Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png)

"Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year"![GG2](https://vardags.com/images/logo/gg2-3.png)

"Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge



"A handful of firms dominate the so-called 'glamour' end of the market ... Vardags"The Times



"One of the best divorce lawyers in the country"Marie Claire



"Ayesha Vardag - 'diva of divorce' for the world's super rich" ![BBC](https://vardags.com/images/logo/bbc.png)

"Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius."Lewis Marks KC



"Ayesha Vardag - the Queen of divorce"Daily Mail



"Vardags brilliantly argued my case to a resounding victory"Pauline Chai (client)



"Britain's top divorce lawyer" ![The Telegraph](https://vardags.com/images/logo/telegraph.png)





Articles by John Oxley
----------------------

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[Vardags Achieve Victory for Michelle Young](https://vardags.com/posts/vardags-achieve-victory-michelle-young "Vardags Achieve Victory for Michelle Young")

[Asset tracing: A cat and mouse game](https://vardags.com/posts/asset-tracing-cat-mouse-game "Asset tracing: A cat and mouse game")

[Catherine Thomas speaks to Mumsnet](https://vardags.com/posts/catherine-thomas-speaks-mumsnet "Catherine Thomas speaks to Mumsnet")

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