A controversial aristocrat has asserted that he was victimized by a judge due to his status as a 'white male' and upper-class background after losing a divorce-related legal battle over a £1.2 million trust fund with his former spouse.
The Legal Dispute
Sir Benjamin Slade, aged 80, who once famously sought a 'castle-trained' non-communist lady to bear his heir, found himself entangled in a court case with Lady Pauline Slade. The dispute centered on her desire to sell a £585,000 property located on his expansive Somerset estate. The couple had been married for 12 years before divorcing in 1994, with Sir Benjamin expressing frustration over her 17 cats.
As part of their divorce settlement, Lady Slade was granted a £1.2 million trust fund comprising an 'income fund' now valued at approximately £650,000, along with Old Farm, a property worth £585,000 situated on his 2,000-acre estate. However, after she vacated the home in 2023, she sought to have the property sold by trustees to settle debts and increase her income, sparking a complex legal battle.
Lawyers representing Sir Benjamin, who had been residing in the property, argued that Lady Slade had no entitlement to the sale proceeds, as her right was limited to living there rent-free for life. The case eventually reached the High Court, where trustees of the fund requested a judicial determination on whether Lady Slade could benefit from the sale.
The Court Ruling
Master Julia Clark ruled against Sir Benjamin, concluding that a primary purpose of the trust was to provide his ex-wife with income during his lifetime. Following the verdict, the baronet, a descendant of Charles II, vowed to continue fighting the decision, labeling it a 'joke'.
'But I expected it,' he remarked. 'There is a lot of class hatred, and as a white male with my background, you are going to be punished. It is classic.' He further alleged reverse misogyny, noting that a female judge had sided with his ex-wife.
In her judgment, Master Clark stated there was 'no basis for concluding that if Lady Slade does not direct the purchase of a replacement property that the overall purpose of the trust comes to an end.' She also found no grounds to determine that Lady Slade's interest in the net proceeds would revert to Sir Benjamin if she did not buy a new home.
Sir Benjamin's barrister, Robert Deacon, informed the court that Lady Slade moved out in 2022 or 2023 and confirmed in an August 2024 letter that she had no intention of returning. Lady Slade expressed no desire to purchase a replacement property but wanted Old Farm sold for her benefit.
Sir Benjamin's Response
After the ruling, Sir Benjamin claimed he had attempted to reach a 'sensible solution' with his ex-wife but she 'refused to engage'. He alleged prejudice against the wealthy, stating, 'There is a prejudice against people with money. I have had this before. She is not a poor, vulnerable woman, though. She is very rich, lives in a £3 million apartment and has inherited a fortune. She has tonnes of money, but this is the class system working against me.'
He compared the legal battle to a neighbor's dispute over a garden fence, lamenting that it could drag on for years. 'We just wanted to sort this thing out. But the game goes on and on with no finale. The only winners are the lawyers,' he said. He noted that the costs from both sides would be substantial and would ultimately come out of her income.
Sir Benjamin expressed disappointment and announced plans to return to court, describing the home as dilapidated and abandoned. 'None of the outgoings have been paid. She has failed to maintain the property at all. The market is really bad, and the house is in disrepair. It has got to be fixed with someone's money, and you cannot consider selling it in its current state.'
Background: The Quest for an Heir
Sir Benjamin previously made headlines for offering £50,000 a year for a 'good breeder' and 'castle-trained' wife to bear his heir. Applicants had to be at least 20 years his junior and capable of using a shotgun. His strict requirements included that the candidate not be a Scorpio, drug user, or alcoholic. While open to Canadians, Americans, Germans, and Northern Europeans, he stated, 'I don't think marrying an Eskimo is for me.'
He also specified that his wife should not read the Guardian, be Scottish, or taller than 5ft 6ins. She must be able to ballroom dance, play bridge and backgammon, and solve crosswords. Preferred candidates needed a shotgun and driving license, with a helicopter license considered beneficial. In return, she would receive £50,000 plus a bonus per year, along with a car, house, expenses, food, and holidays.
Sir Benjamin has a daughter, Violet, with Sahara Sunday Spain, but has expressed a desire for a male heir with genetic similarity to his paternal ancestors.
Current Situation
Sir Benjamin had been living at Old Farm after listing his manor house, Maunsel House, for sale at £3.5 million last year. The 13-bedroom red-brick manor in Somerset dates back to the 11th century and is reputedly where Geoffrey Chaucer wrote some of his works. It features a blocked-off secret passage once linked to the local church and a well-stocked bar with 81 firearms, including a heavy machine gun.
Lady Slade, 79, is the daughter of the late Devon county cricketer and British Army officer Major Claude Myburgh.
