A court yesterday cleared the way for a husband to contest a HK$2 million-a-month claim for maintenance and legal fees by his wife, but said she should continue to enjoy the extravagant lifestyle they shared as a couple.
The Court of Appeal agreed with the man that the amount was too high, saying the woman had exaggerated her monthly expenses.
'The fact remains that the husband controls the various companies, and the lifestyle is, I am quite sure, designed to his own desires,' said Mr Justice Michael Hartmann delivering his final judgment.
The wife listed a HK$156 million private jet, two yachts, exotic vacations and a penchant for fine dining as examples of their extravagance.
'The wife's claim for interim maintenance must be judged according to the very high level of daily living that was enjoyed by the couple before they separated, and which it appears the husband continues to enjoy,' the judge said.
He recommended that the husband pay HK$800,000 in monthly maintenance fees and HK$500,000 in legal fees until their divorce proceedings are complete. The wife had 'either lost or no longer has access to much of her capital base', and had participated in the family business until the divorce proceedings started.