Courts will not tolerate dishonesty and obstruction in divorce

In an unusual move, the family court in London has made public its judgement without anonymity in the divorce case of Vladimir Sloutsker, a billionaire Russian, who was a political ally of Vladimir Putin and who died in September 2025 without paying a penny to his ex-wife following their divorce.

Mr Sloutsker had enjoyed an extremely luxurious lifestyle with his wife Alona Sloutsker and their young children prior to his wife initiating divorce proceedings, including a “family trip to Courchevel at Christmas at a cost of just under half a million euros” and “a summer holiday in Tuscany” costing €400,000”.

When the case began, Mr Sloutsker immediately pleaded poverty, saying that his assets had been stolen, leaving him unable to pay the mortgage on the £45 million family home in London.

However, in total, the court heard, he had £217 million-worth of property and land in London and Moscow as well as £21 million in investments and a £4 million art collection.

In a judgement made in August, Mr Justice Garrido ordered Mr Sloutsker to pay £25 million to his ex-wife, although this constituted less than 60 per cent of his readily liquid assets, and to pay arrears of maintenance and legal fees of more than £1 million.

He also ordered Mr Sloutsker to pay child maintenance of £10,000 per month for each of his daughters and to pay for their holidays and school fees.

These judgements are rarely made public but early in November, the judge said that evidence showed a “lifestyle consistent with extreme wealth” and accused Mr Sloutsker of litigation misconduct for attempting to hide his wealth from the court and repeatedly failing to comply with orders for financial disclosure.

The publication of the order against Mr Sloutsker underlines that the English family court will not tolerate billionaires pleading poverty to get away with paying their fair share in divorce proceedings.

Commenting on the case, James Hardy, member of NIFA and Forensic Director at Milsted Langdon, said that a spouse who fears their partner is hiding assets in divorce proceedings could benefit from instructing a forensic accountant to find out what the true financial state is.

He adds, “High value divorce cases often involve complex financial arrangements, and it is not unusual for wealth to be held through layered company structures, offshore entities or trusts. When one spouse is obstructive or selective in their disclosure, it becomes very difficult for the court to reach a fair outcome for settlements.

“Forensic accountants can help by tracing assets, testing the explanations put forward and identifying where wealth has been concealed or moved. That work often provides the clarity needed for the court to see the real financial position and make their judgement.”

Sources: Sunday Times, The Guardian

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