Tatiana Soroka, the ex-wife of Russian oligarch Farkhad Akhmedov, is preparing for a costly legal battle as she sues her former lawyers over what she claims was professional negligence.
The 52-year-old former spouse, who was awarded Britain’s largest divorce settlement of £453 million, believes that her lawyers, Payne Hicks Beach (PHB), missed critical opportunities to secure a better outcome for her, including the chance to seize her ex-husband’s luxurious yacht, Luna, which was docked in Miami at the time.
Soroka Claims Missed Opportunities in Divorce Settlement
Soroka’s legal team argues that with proper advice and actions from her former law firm, she could have achieved a better result.
The divorcee believes that the failure to act on the yacht impounding opportunity was a serious oversight, especially given that the vessel, valued at around £200 million, was within reach when it was docked in Miami.
Now, as the case prepares for trial, Soroka estimates that she will incur a legal bill of around £2 million as the High Court trial is set to take place in autumn 2026.
Allegations of Negligence Against Baroness Shackleton
Soroka’s accusations target Baroness Fiona Shackleton, a senior partner at PHB and a renowned solicitor known for representing high-profile clients like King Charles and Sir Paul McCartney.
Soroka claims that Shackleton and her firm failed to explore the possibility of seizing the yacht despite her clear instructions to do so.
According to Soroka, when she discussed the matter with her lawyers in January 2017, she was left with the impression that enforcing the financial remedy order in Florida was not an option available to her, a claim the law firm vehemently denies.
Discrepancy in Accounts Over Legal Advice
The situation is complicated by conflicting versions of events between Soroka and her former legal team.
PHB asserts that Soroka had explicitly instructed them not to pursue the yacht impounding, and that they were only tasked with exploring the possibility of arresting Akhmedov.
The firm further claims they sought legal advice from a Miami attorney, who confirmed that arresting Akhmedov was not an option but enforcement might be possible if assets were found.
However, Soroka’s lawyers argue that the firm failed to properly inform the Miami attorney about the presence of the Luna in the city and misled her about the possibility of enforcing the order.
Divorce Settlement and Continued Disputes
Despite the contentious legal battle, Soroka reached a private settlement with Akhmedov in 2021, which involved a £100 million payment and valuable artwork worth £50 million.
However, she still feels aggrieved by the outcome, particularly because of the missed chance to seize the yacht.
She argues that PHB’s negligence led her to settle for less than she was entitled to, a claim the firm strongly disputes.
The Lengthy Legal Process and Upcoming Trial
The trial over Soroka’s legal complaint is expected to be complex and drawn out.
Judge Master Kaye recently ruled that the case will proceed as a single 20-day trial, despite Soroka’s request to split it into two parts.
The estimated cost for the trial is expected to be substantial, with Soroka’s team anticipating fees of £2 million.
The judge criticized the unrealistic cost estimates and rejected the idea of a split trial, stating that it would cause unnecessary delays and complications for all parties involved.
As this high-profile case prepares to take center stage in the High Court, Soroka is determined to pursue her claim against PHB, believing that she was wronged by the legal firm’s handling of her divorce settlement and the opportunities that were missed along the way.