What started as a high-stakes legal battle between two powerful women has ended with an unexpected twist—Tatiana Soroka, the ex-wife of a Russian oligarch, has suddenly dropped her lawsuit against her former divorce lawyer, Baroness Fiona Shackleton, also known as ‘Steel Magnolia.’
A Legal Fight Over a Luxury Yacht Ends Abruptly
For more than a year, Soroka had been fighting Shackleton’s prestigious law firm, Payne Hicks Beach (PHB), over claims that they failed to secure her ex-husband’s extravagant 377-foot superyacht, Luna.
The yacht, built for former Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, is no ordinary vessel—it boasts two helipads, a swimming pool, and even a mini-submarine, making it one of the most luxurious ships in the world.
Soroka had been hoping to add the £200 million yacht to her divorce winnings, arguing that Shackleton’s team had missed opportunities to seize it while it was docked in Miami.
If successful, the case could have earned her up to £600 million—far more than her already record-breaking £453 million divorce settlement.
A Costly Decision for Soroka
But in a dramatic turn of events, Soroka has officially withdrawn her claim by serving a “Notice of Discontinuance.” While this means the lawsuit is over, it also comes with a hefty price—legal bills estimated to be around £1 million.
Instead of gaining more wealth, she now faces the burden of paying massive legal fees for both sides.
PHB was quick to respond, saying they were “pleased but not surprised” by Soroka’s decision to back down.
A spokesperson for the firm stated, “She will receive no payment from us, and she has to pay the substantial costs we have incurred in this matter.”
Baroness Shackleton’s Fierce Reputation
Baroness Shackleton is no stranger to high-profile divorce battles.
Known for her ruthless legal tactics, she has represented some of the most famous names in the world, including King Charles and Sir Paul McCartney.
Her reputation as a formidable lawyer was cemented when McCartney’s ex-wife, Heather Mills, famously poured a jug of water over her after receiving a far smaller settlement than she had hoped for.
Shackleton’s team defended themselves vigorously against Soroka’s claims, stating that they had acted appropriately and denying any negligence.
In their legal filings, they even claimed that Soroka had previously said she was “not interested in impounding the ship” and instead wanted to focus on securing her ex-husband’s money and valuable artworks.
A Case Filled with Intrigue and Accusations
The case had its fair share of dramatic twists. At one point, Soroka’s lawyers demanded access to Shackleton’s digital records, but it was revealed that the renowned lawyer had never used a laptop or desktop computer at her law firm—a revelation that was described in court as “distinctly odd.” However, she was still required to disclose messages from her mobile phone.
Now, with the lawsuit over, PHB considers the outcome a complete vindication. They emphasized that Shackleton and her team had already won Soroka Britain’s largest-ever divorce settlement and that the case against them was “baseless” from the start.
The End of a Legal Battle, but Not the End of the Drama
While this particular legal fight has come to an end, it’s unlikely to be the last headline-making dispute involving billionaires and their ex-spouses.
With fortunes, yachts, and egos on the line, these cases often take unexpected turns.
As for Soroka, she may have walked away from this lawsuit, but the financial and legal consequences of her decision will likely follow her for a long time.