Aristocrat in divorce fight will not instruct his lawyers

A WOMAN whose estranged aristocratic husband lacks the mental capacity to instruct lawyers is preparing for the next stage of a divorce court fight.

The pair are embroiled in a fight over money and a judge based in the Family Division of the High Court in London is due to oversee a trial in February.

In December, Mr Justice Moor analysed evidence about the man’s mental health at a preliminary hearing and concluded that he was not capable of instructing lawyers.

The judge said staff at the office of the Official Solicitor, who offer help to people with mental health issues embroiled in litigation, should instruct lawyers on the man’s behalf.

Another judge, who had overseen an earlier preliminary hearing, had said decisions ought to be made about the man’s mental capacity and lawyers representing the man’s estranged wife had made an application to Mr Justice Moor.

They said concerns had been raised about the man’s behaviour.

His estranged wife said he had become delusional and paranoid and suffered a mental breakdown.

A friend of the man had raised similar worries, saying he had seen the man set fire to £5,000 in cash.

The friend said the man was “completely unstable”.

Mr Justice Moor said there was also evidence that the man had used a hallucinogenic plant from South America called Ayahuasca.

He said the man, who is in his 40s, could not be identified.

Judges have heard that the man’s family have “great wealth”.

Mr Justice Moor was told that the man received around £80,000 a month from a trust.

Lawyers representing the family estate have been involved in litigation. Mr Justice Moor said the man and his wife had been married for more than a decade.