The ex-wife of Saudi billionaire and Former Pirelli calendar model, Christina Estrada, has won the battle for the right to claim her former husband's £4 billion fortune. The Court of Appeal ruled that Sheikh Walid Juffali's diplomatic immunity is irrelevant.
Estrada and Juffali were married for 13 years before they separated. The ex-wife of Saudi billionaire won the case after three Appeal Court judges unanimously approved the decision of the Family Division judge Mr. Justice Hayden in February, The Guardian reported. The judges claimed that Juffali sought to win over the case by affirming a "spurious" claim. The Saudi businessman earlier claimed that he's protected from the litigation because he's a permanent representative to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for the Caribbean island of St Lucia.
"The issue of the abuse of diplomatic immunity is one with profound international importance, and my client is grateful to the judge for his clear findings in her case," her solicitor, Frances Hughes, said after the original ruling. "Nevertheless, all my client seeks is an appropriate and fair financial settlement for herself and the parties' daughter."
The case started after the ex-wife of Saudi billionaire sought to have a share of the £4 billion fortune of Juffali following their divorce. The billionaire owns a number of properties, including St Saviour's House, a seven-bedroom converted church in Knightsbridge, Bishopsgate House, a £100 million estate beside Windsor Great Park, and Matthew Point Manor, according to Siasat. All the properties are valued at more than £2 million. Estrada shares a 13-year-old daughter with Juffali. The rich businessman claimed that he's supporting their daughter $100,000 (£70,000) a month. He claimed that he also purchased a Beverly Hills house for her worth $12 million (£8 million).
"No English Judge possessed the capacity or right to intrude on matters relating to the diplomatic arrangements and/or appointments of another state," the Saudi billionaire said through his spokesperson, Antigua Obeserver reports.
Juffali owns a £140 million of property. The ex-wife of Saudi billionaire claimed that Juffali divorced her without her affirmation. The business tycoon is believed to be spending days more in the hospital after he was diagnosed with cancer.
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