An 83 year old businessman has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after failing to comply with a Court order regarding the financial settlement arising from the breakdown of his marriage.

In 2015, the Court ordered that his wife be awarded £3.5m of the couple’s overall wealth of over £9m. The husband was required to transfer shares in one of his businesses.

The husband failed to do so and made every attempt to frustrate the implementation of the order.

After 6.5 years of protracted litigation and after numerous warnings to the Husband, the Court made the decision that the 83 year old be imprisoned for 14 months for ‘serious contempt’.

The decision is a reminder that where Court orders, in divorce cases, are deliberately and continually breached that the Court has draconian powers available to it in order to ensure that orders are implemented.

George Green’s Family Solicitors regularly advise client in respect of the breach of Court orders and implementation. If you would like any further information please contact Alex Mansfield on 01902 328365 or at amansfield@georgegreen.co.uk.