Manches secures £50m payout for Madonna's ex

Manches family partner Helen Ward has cemented her place as the UK's leading divorce lawyer after securing a £50m divorce settlement for Madonna's husband Guy Ritchie.

Ward set legal history in May 2007 when she secured a £48m divorce settlement for Beverly Charman, the wife of insurance tycoon John Charman (TheLawyer.com 24 May).

Madonna's spokeswoman yesterday said Ritchie would receive a settlement of between $79-92m (£49-60m). This includes a cash payment of £2.4m, property assets, maintenance of up to £10m for the couple's two children and artwork.

It is understood the Manches legal team renegotiated an originally agreed settlement after learning that Madonna had netted £186m from her recent Sticky & Sweet world tour.

Payne Hicks Beach partner Fiona Shackleton represented Madonna.