Could Jail Really Be The Next Stop For Frederick Barclay?

It has been extensively documented that Frederick Barclay, previous proprietor of the Telegraph Media Team, could be pressured at the rear of bars for not paying out the £50 million it is alleged that he owes to his previous wife next their divorce. 

He is 87 decades previous, and it is approximated that as lately as May perhaps this calendar year his fortune was value around £6 billion. How and why is he declaring then that he simply cannot pay out? Well, it appears his argument is that his monies are tied up in a complex sequence of trusts. 

It seems that the make a difference is heading to be listened to in a 3-day showdown at some position this month. It is documented he is “terrified” to go to jail. 

So how could the Courtroom deliver Barclay to jail?

Below area 5 of the Debtors Act 1869, a particular person can be fully commited to prison if he does not pay out a matrimonial debt if he has the means to do so but refuses.  He could be despatched to jail for a optimum of 6 months or until finally the sum is paid out.  Non-payment here is an offence versus the courtroom alone, it is contempt of the maximum buy.  

His carry out would have to display the nature of contempt and he would have to be classed as a “contumacious debtor”. In other words, the court docket would have to be satisfied that he was seriously actively playing rapid and free when it came to this debt in get to imprison him. 

Now on the foundation that it seems that he sold his luxurious yacht and employed the cash for his personal finishes and appears to even now have 50 percent of the non-public island of Brecqhou, he may perhaps have some problems demonstrating to the court docket that his inability to pay this debt is reputable. 

Due to the fact the advent of the Human Rights Act 1998, a judgement debtor has been entitled to the protections afforded by Posting 6 of the ECHR, i.e he must know in progress the case versus him and any evidence that was getting relied on he must have satisfactory time to get ready a defence and he has the right NOT to give proof i.e not to incriminate himself. 

There has been a massive debate since that level as to no matter if apps of this mother nature, consequently, have considerably bite, as the respondent, Barclay in this instance, simply cannot be compelled to give evidence. The stress of evidence would at all periods be on Mrs Barclay and her group.  She would have to prove, further than all affordable doubt, i.e the prison regular of proof, that due to the fact the day of the judgement he has had the indicates to fork out this fantastic quantity and has refused or neglected to fork out. 

This of course could be fairly challenging if Barclay decides not to give evidence and the only evidence they have is from the loved ones court, resolved working with the civil regular of “balance of probabilities”.

The current case of Dhillon v Sampuran in 2021, having said that, examined the means of the court to contemplate “adverse inferences” from the respondent’s silence. It was reviewed that whilst silence of study course was thoroughly permitted, an inference from a failure to give proof could not verify guilt. Having said that, if the jury concludes that silence can only be attributed to the defendant getting no response or no means to stand up to cross-evaluation, then an adverse inference may possibly be drawn. 

It would seem very clear from new studies in the media that Barclay is declaring that he has almost nothing and has no entry to his monies that are held up in complicated trusts. He could operate an argument that he has not had the money to fork out on that basis and that by advantage of that has not refused or neglected to pay out this order. 

It will be quite fascinating in fact to see how his lawful team method this forthcoming “trial”….regardless of whether he will come to this with open up palms and gives proof freely, or irrespective of whether he shuts up shop and decides not to incriminate himself, alternatively leaving the amazingly higher bar of evidence at the doorway of his ex-spouse. 

Both way, in my practical experience, when the jangle of the jailor’s keys is in just earshot, although functions will run issues to the eleventh hour, orders typically are paid, or offers are carried out to avoid an unpleasant remain at Her Majesty’s pleasure. 

I feel it is really not likely that we will see Barclay in jail for this, but curiously we will have to view this space. 

About the creator: Katie McCann is the Founder and Taking care of Spouse of Lowry Legal. She is consistently instructed by HNW shoppers like entrepreneurs, business owners and these in the general public eye. Katie advises clients on all aspects of household legislation, with a particular aim on money settlements and defense of wealth. 

Lowry Lawful is a specialist family legislation agency that signifies large-profile folks, like enterprise entrepreneurs and general public figures. The firm specialises in divorce and separation, write-up-separation funds and cohabitation preparations, among other observe parts.