Frances Gibb, Legal Editor of The Times
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Read a full transcript of Heather Mills's GMTV interview
The sacking of Heather Mills by her lawyers Mishcon de Reya means that her divorce wrangle with Sir Paul McCartney is now all but certain to go to trial.
The loss of her lawyers means that Ms Mills may now have to act for herself in the complex negotiations unless she can find another law firm willing to represent her.
Unless she accepts the offer on the table — which looks unlikely — a trial is set for February.
A spokesman for Mishcon confirmed today that they were no longer acting for her but declined to say why or who had sacked whom.
But Ms Mills' recent outbursts on UK and US television, in breach of an agreement, at least pending the negotiations, not to make public comments about either the couple's marriage or their daughter, Beatrice, has effectively released the lawyers from their undertaking to act for her.
There has been speculation that Ms Mills lawyer, Anthony Julius, could not continue with the case for personal reasons after the tragic loss of his wife, the journalist Dina Rabinovich, from cancer ten days ago. But this is not thought to be a factor.
Rather, it is Ms Mills' recent behaviour, in defiance of both legal advice and an undertaking given during the current proceedings not to speak out, that has triggered the move.
Her intransigence in recent negotiations, described by one legal source as "very difficult indeed", would not have endeared her to the Mishcon legal team. But that alone would not have been reason for ceasing to act.
Lawyers for Sir Paul, who is represented by Fiona Shackleton at Payne Hicks Beach, declined to comment.
The stumbling block in the recent unsuccessful settlement hearing was the requirement by Sir Paul that his former wife agree not to discuss their marriage.
That was the price he required for a deal believed worth some £50 million, including a £20 million lump sum and annual payments for Beatrice.
Ms Mills in recent days has publicly blamed Sir Paul and his lawyers for blocking a settlement. But it is thought to be her own insistence on freedom to expose details of the marriage that is the barrier to a deal.
It is relatively unusual for solicitors to sack their clients; usually it is the other way round.
But a spokesman for the Solicitors Regulation Authority said: "This does happen — it is not uncommon. But while clients can sack solicitors at any time and for any reason, solicitors can only cease acting for a client with good reason, and usually with notice."
One such reason, she said, would be if the client had evidently lost confidence in her lawyers, and continually defied their advice or broke legal instructions or agreements.
"Clients are free to say, 'I don't accept your advice.' That alone is not sufficient to dump a client. But if a client has clearly lost faith in that he or she continually acts in a way that is contrary to what they believe is in her best interests, and particularly in breach of any agreements, then they could decline to act any more."
Under the solicitors' code of conduct, a solicitor can cease acting for a client "where there is a breakdown in confidence between you and the client and where you are unable to obtain proper instructions".
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Whoever acts on her behalf. That is of course if anyone in the legal profession is prepared to do so after all the bad publicity she has brought upon herself, I hope they are able to pursuade her to retain a very low profile from now on at least until after the trial. If she continues with a further barrage of criticisms, it could cause substantial damage in the long term.
Mr.S.L.Green, Colchester, UK.
If she is not in it for the money why does she want more than 4 million 1 for each year of her marriage Diana only got 17 million from Charles and they nad been married a lot longer than 4yrs don't be so greedyto want 25million you will never spend it in your lifetime
Barbara , KENT , UK
Heather came across as a bitter gold digger. In the statments made to any one who would listen to hear on the news shows she insinuated things about her husband but nothing concrete.
She obviously is not getting her own way with him and is desperately tring to gain sympathy from the public. It did not work.
laura, ottawa, ontario canada
Courage girl, stand strong. Tell the truth and believe it or not, eventually the justice system works. You will suffer in the short term, but it does win eventually. Stand strong, and courage.
You have been the victim of the most abusive systemic media abuse, you are not alone in thinking this.
Sarah Indigo, Hong Kong, China
Heather, Heather, just take the money and hop along, theres a good Ghoul.
Mike, Berlin,
I honestly don't believe that I have ever seen a person who so obviously continues to cut off her nose to spite her face. Why can't Heather see that she is creating a horrible situation for herself? Why can't she grasp the fact that her current behavior is not going to play well in court or in the eyes of the public? She is acting like a spoiled child who cannot get her way. If she changed her behavior life would be so much easier for her. She is her own worst enemy.
Doreen, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
The little gold digger may have finally gone too far. IT is not unreasonable for Paul to want a no comment on their relationship from her. The amount that he is offering is reasonable for someone who came into the marriage with nothing. She is getting a good deal and just is greedy for more that she does not deserve.
She has gotten a lot since she took advantage of Paul's grief for Linda and talked him into marriage. Having the kid to cement her claim to his money was the final reward for her manipulating. Why can't she stop being greedy for more?
donna, augusta, Maine
I have adorned Paul and the Beatles for years. We all are human,we all have our faults and I am sure Paul isn't perfect. But I think Heather has tried to get too much attention from the media. She is cold hearted and didn't deserve a thing Paul gave her. Heather , Paul's real wife was Linda, and you could never compare. Just back off Heather. Leave Paul alone.
Marlene, Oakville, On. Canada
Marlene, Oakville Ontario, Canada
As the saying goes: Mishcon de Reya is cutting their losses and no doubt saving their sanity. Paul doesn't even NEED a soliciter now. Heather is making his case FOR him. Yes, there are TWO SIDES to every story and we' ve yet to hear Pauls' side. She wants to be a player on the stage. So go and DO IT. GO DO your work instead of just talking about it and what charities Paul should give money to. That is so not your call.
Suzanne, USA, USA
Gold Digger! Get a job and a life like the rest of us, and stop expecting a free ride for life.
Martyn , Bangkok ,
No sympathy for either..Paul McCartney heard the stories and choose to ignore and threatened legal actions against the media if they printed Heathers chequered past.
After ignoring his family and friends I have little to say other than that the legal saying of"a client who has a lawyer for him/her self is fool"...never rang truer.
The performance last week on Tv in which she viewed herself as someone who could emphazise with the McCanns or the Princess of Wales was laughable
jkm, Durham,
"Chaos and Creation In The Backyard" is such an underrated, healtfelt and perfect album that it would be said to acknowledge it is a product of hard times by Mucca on Paul. I hate to say ' Thank You Mucca you made this album meangingful and inspiring!'
Stephen, DH1 3RJ, UK
I don't think this woman has a leg to stand on, take the money and run.
peter, mamchester, uk
I think that she needs to accept that there is NOTHING that she can do to improve her public image, except to just fade into the background for a while, and keep her head down. Then, if she focuses on her causes exclusively, once the divorce is settled, she may be able to go on with her life. No one knows what happened between the two of them. Even they both have their individual take on things. But she will never convince the world that this beloved man is not deserving of it... and even if she had the "proof" of it and splashed it everywhere, in the end she would still just be hated for disillusioning everyone. As it is, she is known for telling stories, and he has been in the public eye for nearly 50 years with out anything evil being said about him. As a result, no one believes her, nor will they. Heather, let it go...your moment in the sun is over.
Kristi, San Francisco, USA
Considering what she had when she entered into this marriage, I don't understand why she is acting so outrageous about a L50 to L75 million settlement. most of us could live quite comfortably on a lot less ( just like she was doing before her marriage to Paul). We do not need to hear about her grievances. I for one think she is truly acting like the gold-digger she has been accused of being.
Shirley, Tampa, Florida, USA
Heather should take the settlement money and run. Paul's got a new babe in New York who is pretty and embraces animal rights and vegetarianism. Heather deserves credit as a distraction that forced Paul to really get back to work to create a flawless CD named "Chaos and Creation In The Backyard".
Brien Comerford, Glenview, United States
Well what comes around go arounds. Heather need to stop all the craziness for their daughter sake. I hope Paul gets their daughter when this mess is all over. After all who is the sane parent here. And by the way Heather, money is not everthing.
Dawn reynolds, blanchester, ohio
Sally says she is awful. But why? What has she done that is so wrong? There is two sides to every story and could it be our nostalgic affection for her husband simply colours our views?
Paul, Thirsk England,
If Heather is not allowed to write a book smearing Paul after the divorce, there will be no Oprah show and no Larry King interview, and fame is what Heather seeks above love or money. She is just nuts, and it's time for her to fade into the background.
Jan, Chattanooga, TN, USA
If Heather Mills had any integrity at all, she should be asking only for
-money for Beatrice: absolutely right that Sir Paul should pay half of her upkeep
-with regard to herself, limit it to half of any gain in their joint wealth during their time together EXCLUDING anything from Sir Paul's royalties etc.
I suspect the latter would be closer to £50 than £50 million.
CB, Epsom, England
As they say, anyone who defends themselves has a fool for a client.
Terry, Dudley, UK
Serves her right.....her behaviour is intolerable and Mishcon de Reya sensible enough to recognise that and protect their integrity! It's time professionals started to set precedents against client's ill behaviour howsoever! Just who do these "celebs" think they are, and think they can say or behave any other way than any normal person. There are people in REAL DIRE straits out here....she just hasn't got a clue!
Well done Julius!
Alice, Southampton, England
All the ladies of the world unite and tell Heather that we don't think the divorce is her fault. Then she can go on with her life and not feel compelled to have a tell-all book published.
Bonita, Memphis , USA/TN
Gosh, she's awful.
sally, london,