Socialite and model Terri Holladay claims she lost more than $300 million after former live-in-lover Cecil Chao refused to honour his promises of 'love and affection' when they broke up.
The main component of the sum was a $266 million payment to cover her credit card bills for life, a court heard. Mr Justice William Waung Sik-ying in the Court of First Instance described the amount as 'astronomical'.
Ms Holladay, 32, is suing the law firm, Fred Kan & Co, alleging it failed to properly draft an agreement between the one-time celebrity couple.
She was later forced to sign another 'substantially less advantageous' agreement with the property tycoon after they separated, the court heard.
The Vietnamese-born American is seeking the difference between the first and the second agreement from the firm arising from 'negligence and breach of duty'.
Her barrister, Ashley Burns, said the couple met on a boat trip in July 1991 and soon after began living together and had a son, now six.
Mr Burns told the court that Mr Chao, 63, had verbally promised in September 1994 to provide financial security for Ms Holladay and their son if they separated.
