A businessman was ordered to pay his former wife almost €1.3 million for breaching the conditions of a contract between them that included a €1,000-a-day penalty clause.

The two separated in November 2009 and, according to the separation contract, she was to take half of a villa in Xagħra. The contract gave the husband a year to free the property from any pledges, hypothecation and bank guarantees or face a daily penalty.

The contract was amended and the year was extended to two, elapsing on November 21, 2011. Two companies the husband owned guaranteed his obligations, including payment of the penalties.

The wife filed the case against her ex-husband and the two companies, accusing him of failing to honour his contractual obligations.

Magistrate Joanne Vella Cus-chieri ruled there had been a breach of contract and, in line with the penalty clause, ordered the husband to pay his estranged wife €1,292,000 for the period November 21, 2011 to May 5, 2015.

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