Tatiana Soroka Sues Lawyers Baroness Shackleton for £2M Over Superyacht.
Ex-Wife of Russian Oligarch to Pay £2 Million Legal Bill in Shocking Lawsuit Against Her Lawyers – Could This Divorce Battle Have Been Avoided?
Tatiana Soroka, the ex-wife of Russian billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov, who was awarded an eye-watering £453 million in Britain’s biggest divorce settlement, is now locked in a jaw-dropping legal battle with her former lawyers.
Tatiana Soroka
But that’s not all. Soroka, who expected justice and a fair settlement after her high-profile split, claims that her legal team blew key opportunities to secure even more from her ex. Could this dramatic turn of events have been avoided? Now, she’s facing a £2 million legal bill to sue her lawyers for professional negligence — and the outcome of this fight could change everything.
£453 Million Divorce Settlement — But Was It Enough?
When Tatiana Soroka walked away from her marriage to Farkhad Akhmedov in 2016, she thought she had secured a life-changing settlement — a record-breaking £453 million. The former Russian politician and oil tycoon was ordered to pay his ex-wife one of the largest divorce payouts in history.
But Soroka claims the legal system let her down. Despite the massive payout, she argues that her lawyers at Payne Hicks Beach (PHB) failed to seize a golden opportunity to impound her ex-husband’s prized yacht — the £200 million superyacht Luna — which could have made her even wealthier. Could the legal system have done more for her?
Could Soroka Have Gotten Even More? The Shocking Oversight in the Luna Yacht Case
The Luna, a 9-deck luxury yacht with two helipads, a swimming pool, and even a mini-submarine, was docked in Miami for months in 2017. Soroka’s lawyers failed to take advantage of a critical window of opportunity to seize the yacht — an asset worth hundreds of millions.
Baroness Shackleton
Why didn’t they act? According to Soroka, she gave clear instructions to her legal team to pursue action to seize the yacht in Miami, but instead, they ignored her. Her former lawyers, including high-profile attorney Baroness Fiona Shackleton, claim Soroka did not express interest in pursuing the yacht, even though she says she had explicitly asked them to do so. What went wrong?
A Legal Bill to End All Legal Bills: The £2 Million Lawsuit and What’s at Stake
This explosive legal drama is set to cost Tatiana Soroka £2 million in legal fees. That’s right – £2 million to sue her former lawyers for their alleged mistakes. The case, which is set to go to trial next year, has already sent shockwaves through the legal community. The stakes are higher than ever — and with her lawyers defending their actions, this lawsuit promises to be a legal showdown of the century.
But here’s the kicker: How did the legal fees get so high? The dispute over legal advice and missed opportunities has led to an enormous trial estimate of £2 million. Soroka is accusing her legal team of negligence and miscommunication, but the rising costs of the case raise an unsettling question: Is anyone really winning here?
Baroness Shackleton’s Reputation — Will Her Legal Team Win This Battle?
Baroness Fiona Shackleton is known as one of Britain's most high-profile divorce lawyers, with a reputation for securing dramatic wins for her celebrity clients. She’s famously represented Sir Paul McCartney, King Charles, and even Liam Gallagher. But now, the "Steel Magnolia" is facing one of her toughest battles yet.
Is Shackleton’s iron-clad reputation in jeopardy? Soroka is accusing the firm of failing to act in her best interests and of failing to secure key assets. Shackleton’s team insists Soroka was not interested in pursuing the yacht and never gave clear instructions to do so. However, Soroka’s version of events couldn’t be more different. Could this be a case of “he said, she said” — or is something deeper going on?
What Does This Lawsuit Mean for the Future of Divorce Law?
The £2 million legal bill and the long-awaited High Court trial raise significant questions about the future of divorce law in the UK. If Soroka wins this case, it could open the floodgates for more clients to sue their lawyers for negligence in divorce settlements.
Could this lawsuit change the way high-profile divorces are handled in the future? The idea that a law firm could be held accountable for losing a multimillion-dollar asset like the Luna yacht is shocking, but it might also serve as a wake-up call for both clients and legal teams in high-stakes divorce cases.
What’s Next for Tatiana Soroka and the Luna Yacht?
As the High Court case looms in 2026, Tatiana Soroka is preparing to spend millions more to fight for what she believes is rightfully hers. Will she be able to recover more assets from her ex-husband? Or has she already lost her chance to claim the yacht and more? The case is sure to captivate the public’s attention as the details continue to unfold. Is justice truly on her side? As the legal drama intensifies, one thing is certain: this case is far from over — and the stakes have never been higher.
Final Thoughts: What Will the Courts Decide?
The ongoing legal dispute between Tatiana Soroka and her former lawyers at Payne Hicks Beach will likely become one of the most significant legal cases in recent memory. With £2 million at stake, the future of divorce law could be reshaped. Soroka's decision to sue her high-profile attorneys raises an important question: can clients really trust that their legal teams will act in their best interests? As this case heads to court in autumn 2026, all eyes will be on Soroka, Shackleton, and the high-stakes legal showdown that could change the face of divorce law forever. Will Soroka emerge victorious or will the legal system fail her once again?
