Family Court Sentences Husband Found To Be In Serious And Ongoing Contempt Of Court
A husband, who was last year involved in a high-profile Court of Appeal case, appeared in court in Bristol at a sentencing hearing (15/03/2018).
John Hart, a wealthy Midlands property developer had been married to his wife, Karen, for 23 years when they first separated in 2006. During the course of their marriage they raised two children and together amassed a considerable fortune.
At the High Court in 2015 Mrs Hart, represented by Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth, was given a settlement which involved the transfer of a particular company into her sole name. Mr Hart gave an undertaking to the court that he would facilitate that transfer in such as way so as to allow her to run the company in an efficient and effective manner. The court made subsequent orders requiring him to provide certain relevant documents and records and to take specific, proactive steps.
At a hearing last month, His Honour Judge Wildblood QC found that Mr Hart had breached his undertaking and that he also had failed to comply with the orders of the court. The judge, having heard from Mr Hart’s counsel in mitigation, sentenced Mr Hart to 14 months in prison for contempt of court.
Expert Opinion
“Mrs Hart attended court with a heavy heart. All she has ever sought is the ability to run the company awarded to her in an effective way.
“She behaved in an exemplary fashion in conducting the proceedings which were extraordinarily difficult, lengthy and costly due to the approach of Mr Hart.
“In the judgment handed down, His Honour Judge Wildblood QC sets out a clear message that orders made by the court must be respected and this case is further evidence that the family courts are prepared to take action to ensure to enforce the law.” Sarah Balfour - Partner