£50bn Saudi maintenance case

[emad]

A woman who says that she was the wife of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia cannot continue a maintenance claim because he has died, the Court of Appeal was told yesterday.

Janan Harb, who wants part of the late Saudi monarch’s £50billion estate, is trying to fend off moves by his family to have the case struck out.

King Fahd had claimed state immunity from the action because of his status.

Andrew Moylan, QC, counsel for the Saudi Royal Family, said: “The issue that has arisen is the further steps that can be taken following the death of the respondent. The submission we make is that the substantive proceedings in this case have abated, and they have abated because financial claims do not subsist after the death of one of the parties.”

Lords Justices Thorpe, Dyson and Wall are being asked to rule on the future of the proceedings. They are expected to reserve their decision, and give it later in writing.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,173-1823277,00.html