Rich husband ordered to pay R1.5m for wife's legal fees

THE Gauteng High Court, Pretoria ruled that it is only fair that a wealthy husband contribute R1.5 million towards his wife's legal costs in their protracted divorce proceedings.

- ZELDA VENTER

The wife (the applicant) turned to the court to demand a contribution of R2 million towards her legal fees, as she claimed her husband was a man with substantial financial means. She said she wanted to be on the same footing as him during their legal fight, as divorce is a costly business.

The applicant is a Human Resource Management consultant in the motor industry. The husband (respondent) is a specialist consultant in dams and hydro-power, an engineer and a businessman who serves as a director and shareholder in various local and international companies.

He is currently residing in the United Kingdom.

The parties got married to each other in January 2010 out of community of property with the accrual system applicable to their marriage. In February 2020, the husband left the common home and the wife subsequently issued the divorce summons.