A bankrupt British socialite owns a centuries-old portrait that has become the focus of a legal dispute at the High Court, a judge has ruled.
James Stunt and his father Geoffrey Stunt were famous for Sir Anthony Van Dyck’s painting The Cheeke Sisters ) was involved in a legal dispute with the trustee in James’ bankruptcy case.
At a trial at London’s Rouse House in early March, lawyers for the trustees claimed James owned the portrait, but both James and Jeffrey claimed the latter bought the artwork for £600,000 in 2013.
In a ruling on Friday, Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Clive Jones dismissed the stunt claim, ruling that the painting should belong to James for bankruptcy purposes.
He said: “In my judgment on the balance of probabilities, Mr James Stout is the contracted buyer.
“He held no beneficial interest in the trust for his father.
“In reaching this conclusion, consideration was given to the fact that Mr Geoffrey Stout made the payment by cheque.
“The painting was part of the bankruptcy estate.”
James was previously married to Petra Ecclestone, the daughter of former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.
The two divorced in 2017, and James declared bankruptcy in June 2019.
During the three-day trial, Joseph Curl KC, representing the trustees, said James Stunt purchased the painting, which is now worth up to £4 million, but that Geoffrey Stunt later claimed ownership of the painting.
Mr Cole said this was a “gross injustice” to the trustees and the painting should be considered part of James’ bankruptcy estate.
He told the court the art company selling the painting believed James “had and always intended to be the owner of the painting”.
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