Duchess of York is being sued

Apr 23, 2010, 12:02 GMT

Britain's Duchess of York is being sued for more than £200,000.

Sarah Ferguson - the ex-wife of Prince Andrew - is reportedly facing financial ruin after being taken to the high court over her debt to solicitors Davenport Lyons for work on a deal to turn her children's books into an animated television series, which has failed to come to fruition.

According to the writ, the duchess was sent eight invoices for sums between £12,000 and £65,000 between April and July last year by the firm, who also helped create and protect a trademark under which Sarah planned to create a range of lifestyle goods.

Several written reminders about the invoices were also ignored, as was a letter requesting a meeting to discuss a credible payment plan.

In October, Sarah agreed to an initial payment of £30,000 with £50,000 more to come, but the sums were never handed over and she admitted the following month she could only afford to pay off just £10,000.

However, despite promising she was "close to other ventures so we can keep to our word of getting some more money to you", the firm received nothing more until they threatened legal action in February and were given an additional £10,000.

After failing to be given any more money, proceedings were issued against the duchess for £193,218.53 in outstanding invoices plus a further £10,266.68 interest.

Sarah has a month to serve her defence in the case, and both sides will then see if they can come to an arrangement.

If not, the claimant can apply for a summary judgment to be made against her or the case will go to a full hearing.