In a groundbreaking development, Natalia Potanina, the former wife of one of Russia’s wealthiest individuals, has been granted approval to proceed with a record-breaking multibillion-pound divorce case in the English legal system. Seeking a settlement of £5 billion from her ex-husband Vladimir Potanin, whose net worth is estimated at around $20 billion, equivalent to approximately £15.7 billion, Ms. Potanina initiated legal action back in 2019. Today’s Court of Appeal ruling has cleared the way for her to pursue a substantial claim against her estranged spouse, who is currently facing sanctions for his role in the conflict in Ukraine.
The saga between Ms. Potanina and Mr. Potanin spans over a decade, beginning when she refused to sign divorce papers after her husband allegedly declared his desire to separate following an extramarital affair in 2013. Ms. Potanina now aims to secure half of her former partner’s amassed wealth, underlining that their relationship commenced during their financially modest student days in the 1970s. An essential aspect of the dispute pertains to the family’s residence in Nemchinovo, situated in a forested area near Moscow, where the couple resided with their three now-adult children, Anastasia, Ivan, and Vasily, enjoying a luxurious lifestyle complete with opulent amenities and artworks.
Having relocated to London around 2014, Ms. Potanina reflects on the societal dynamics that often disadvantage women in such legal battles, emphasizing the gender disparities prevalent in Russian culture. Her legal team argues that she contributed significantly to the family’s wealth by fulfilling caregiving responsibilities for their children throughout the years of matrimony. Despite Mr. Potanin’s contention that the couple separated in 2007, with a Russian court officially granting a divorce in 2014, Ms. Potanina asserts that their separation occurred in 2013.
Following a series of legal proceedings in the UK courts, the Court of Appeal’s recent ruling marks a pivotal juncture in the protracted case. Despite previous setbacks, including a Supreme Court decision in Mr. Potanin’s favor, the ongoing dispute revolves around the division of assets, including shares in Norilsk Nickel and a Russian property known as The Autumn House. The Court of Appeal’s judgment, affirming Ms. Potanina’s entitlement to pursue her claims in England, signifies a significant validation of her legal pursuits.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, Ms. Potanina remains hopeful for a prompt resolution of the case, anticipating a fair and equitable outcome to bring closure to the prolonged divorce proceedings.
