Billionaire Sheikh's Wife Loses High Court Battle Over £8.3m London Home
The wife of a billionaire Saudi businessman has lost a High Court battle to claim ownership of their £8.3 million London mansion under Islamic custom, leaving the property vulnerable to being seized to settle her husband's substantial debts.
Islamic Custom Claim Dismissed by Court
Makiyah Al Jaber, wife of billionaire Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber, argued that their family home on Winnington Road in Hampstead Garden Suburb belonged to her under an Islamic tradition requiring husbands to provide houses for their wives. She claimed this custom meant the property became her exclusive possession, despite being legally registered in her husband's name alone.
Deputy Master Joanna Valentine dismissed these arguments, finding insufficient evidence to establish the existence or application of such a custom in this specific case. The judge noted that even if such a custom existed, the couple could have formalized the arrangement legally.
Property at Risk from Massive Debts
The dispute emerged after one of the sheikh's companies, MBI International & Partners Inc, collapsed and entered liquidation in 2017. The sheikh now faces debts approaching £80 million related to valuable shares transferred from the company before its collapse.
Liquidators have been seeking to charge these debts against the London property, which sits on what became Britain's most expensive street in 2025, with average house prices nearing £12 million. The court has now made a final charging order against the property, though a sale order has not yet been issued.
Three Decades of Residence Threatened
Mrs Al Jaber has lived in the property for 34 years since moving to London from Saudi Arabia in 1992, raising three children there. She presented multiple legal arguments to support her ownership claim, including:
- Common intention constructive trust: Arguing she earned part ownership through substantial contributions to property improvements and household management over decades
- Proprietary estoppel: Claiming she relied to her detriment on the belief the house was hers, foregoing other opportunities
The judge rejected both arguments, finding no evidence of detrimental reliance or a common intention to share beneficial ownership. The court determined that legal and beneficial ownership remained with Sheikh Al Jaber.
Costs and Consequences
The couple has been ordered to pay legal costs jointly, with an initial payment of nearly £300,000 required from the total £744,000 bill. Mrs Al Jaber represented herself, arguing her husband should bear responsibility, while the sheikh's lawyers described the costs as "breathtaking" and "staggering."
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber, 67, amassed his fortune through luxury hotels, real estate, oil, and food businesses. Once estimated at $7 billion, his financial situation has deteriorated significantly since one of his offshore companies ceased trading.
The property dispute has unfolded against the backdrop of Britain's most exclusive addresses, with Winnington Road surpassing nearby "Billionaires' Row" in property values. The area has historically attracted notable residents including Elizabeth Taylor, sculptor Anthony Gormley, and former US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson.
While the court acknowledged Mrs Al Jaber would be "severely impacted" by potentially losing her home of 34 years, the judge maintained that beneficial ownership follows legal ownership in this case. The ruling leaves the couple facing both the loss of their residence and substantial legal liabilities.
