MG v GM [2022] EWFC 81 March 2022
Published: 11/03/2022 09:00
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2022/8.html
MPS and LSPO application by W in a case described by Peel J as 'a battle royale' ([3]). Each party denied holding liquid assets, and asserted the other had access to significant wealth. Peel J decided that in these circumstances he must be circumspect. It was directly relevant that W had provided a full run of bank statements whereas H had not, which made it more difficult to accept his case at face value. H had not discharged the burden of demonstrating he could not unlock liquidity and the court found he was able to meet an award.
Taking a broad Purba approach to W’s 'grossly exaggerated' budget, she was awarded £250,000 pa general maintenance plus rental costs, backdated to the date of the application. The court declined to order sums to cover expenditure prior to her application, where W had elected to borrow funds rather than make an application and to spend excessively. W was awarded historic unpaid costs less those referable to the parties’ Hague Convention proceedings (noting Mostyn J had rejected a similar claim in Rubin) and applying a 30% reduction to reflect a notional standard basis assessment. Future Children Act 1989 costs were largely stayed until contemplated mediation is completed.
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