McCartney and Mills' divorce could be most costly · 2007-10-11 19:24
The latest stage of the divorce battle between Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills began.
The estranged couple arrived at the judge's entrance to the Royal Courts of Justice in Holborn for negotiations aimed as finalising the terms of their separation, which could be the most costly in British legal history.
She was taken from the car with a blanket covering her head to thwart the scores of photographers who surrounded the building. Sir Paul, wearing a dark suit, arrived a few minutes later, The Press Association reports.
The aim of the hearing, which comes after months of acrimony and accusations, is to agree a financial settlement and avoid the dispute going to further costly and public hearings.
Sir Paul, 65, has reportedly offered in the region of ??20 million, but Ms Mills, 39, is said to be seeking a sum closer to ??50 million.
Divorce lawyers who have been following the case believe the couple will be keen to reach a settlement as they are anxious to shield their three-year-old daughter Beatrice from a lengthy legal process.
Some divorce specialists have predicted Sir Paul ??“ worth an estimated ??825 million ??“ faces a total payout approaching ??70 million, Telegraph.co.uk informs.
The deal is expected to outstrip the ??48 million that insurance broker John Charman, 53, was ordered to pay his former wife Beverley in May this year, in the biggest contested divorce settlement to date.
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