German financier waits for divorce battleground decision

A German financier whose marriage broke down after his wife discovered that he was having an affair is waiting to hear whether he has won a divorce battle in a London court.

Three Court of Appeal judges have been asked to make decisions relating to whether Oliver and Catja Thum should fight over money in Germany or England.

Lawyers say judges will have to decide whether a divorce petition launched in England in October 2015 by 47-year-old Mrs Thum, who is also German, should take priority over a petition launched in Germany by Mr Thum nearly three months later.

Mr Thum, who set up a business called Elvaston Capital, based in Berlin, says Mrs Thum is "guilty of tactical manoeuvring" and kept the fact that she had issued her petition in England "secret".

Mrs Thum disputes his allegations.

Lady Justice King, Lord Justice David Richards and Lord Justice Moylan have analysed the case at a Court of Appeal hearing.

They are expected to deliver a ruling in the near future.

The three judges heard that Mrs Thum began divorce proceedings after learning of an affair.

They were told how she had discovered that he had taken his mistress to an office party and on a birthday trip to Rome.

Mr Thum, 46, has asked appeal judges to review decisions made by a High Court judge.

Mr Justice Mostyn had analysed the case at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London in October 2016.

He concluded that any money fight should be staged in England and said German judges should decline jurisdiction.