According to a report in Daily Mail UK, Judge Stephen Alderson granted a decree nisi yesterday following an application by Chai at a hearing in the Central Family Court in London.
Speaking about the divorce, Chai, a former Miss Malaysia, was reported to have said: “‘I am so relieved that my prayers have been answered. I want to thank my children for standing by me and my extraordinary legal team – who have fought for me tirelessly throughout this difficult period.
“I have great respect for the English judicial system and am incredibly grateful to have been protected by it.’
The battle over where legal proceedings of their divorce should be held was settled on December 18 last year, when three appeal judges ruled against Khoo, after he challenged the UK High Court verdict that the proceedings launched by Chai in the UK could continue.
Ayesha Vardag, president of law firm Vardags said: “Today’s decree nisi is the end of a long battle for our client. It confirms she (Chai) can have her divorce in England. It could have happened long ago had Dr Khoo not fought the jurisdiction of the English courts for nearly three years over two hemispheres.
“The Court of Appeal’s finding that Mr Justice Bodey’s original judgment was ‘unimpeachable’ has finally put a stop to that.
“We can now get on with the financial proceedings and push hard to bring this dispute to an end, as Ms Chai so dearly wishes.”
Khoo has alleged in the past that Chai, only pushed for divorce proceedings in the UK as she would stand to receive a more generous payout.
Chai in turn alleged Khoo is worth at least £440 million and claimed his income was at least £5.4 million a year, and despite numerous attempts, had yet to furnish her with a “proper account” of his assets. Khoo has disputed all her claims thus far.
The couple, who have five children, were married for 43 years before separating, after which Chai filed for divorce.