A Cambridge don has won a divorce battle with her Macedonian minister ex-husband who claimed he shouldn't have to pay her maintenance now she is working full-time.
Despite having children to care for, Kathleen Liddell moved from part time to full time hours after her break-up from Goran Mickovski, saying she needed to work 'as hard as she could' to 'survive financially'.
But her ex used her increased pay as a reason to go back to court, saying he should not have to pay £723-a-month maintenance due to her increased earnings.
The court heard that the former couple – who were married for 11 years – lived in an £800,000 home in north London.
As well as the maintenance payments, Mrs Liddell received a £555,000 lump sum when the marriage broke down and, in return, signed her half of the house over to her ex, who still lives there.
Mr Mickovski worked as a consultant solicitor in London but has also been Minister of Foreign Investments for the Macedonian government.
Mr Mickovski later took his ex-wife to court, asking Judge to stop the £723-a-month maintenance he had been paying her because his ex-wife's wages had increased.
The judge commented: 'I'm satisfied that she works hard… I understand and accept her decision to work full time… she is earning 53,000-a-year and I accept she is working as hard as she can and she can't earn any more.'
The judge also branded Mr Mickovski 'belligerent, unhelpful and dictatorial' over his handling of the case.
The wife's five-bedroom home 'arguably exceeded her needs,' he argued, adding: 'There was no consideration of need.'
But Lady Justice Macur dismissed Mrs Mickovski's challenge to Judge Cudby's order, saying: 'The wife says; "I need to work in order to survive financially". She was struggling. Each month her outgoings exceeded her income.
Judges at the Court of Appeal ruled she does still need the maintenance despite working harder to support her family"
Mr Mickovski was given two months to pay the £34,000 to his ex – who represented herself in court – along with £3,543 in legal costs.
He must keep on paying her £723-a-month maintenance until he comes up with the £34,000 lump sum.
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