At the start of the trial she had disclosed in court that her stepson had represented Abramovich as a barrister at an early stage of the case. Berezovsky's lawyers said their client had no objection to her continuing to hear the case. They later claimed that the barrister's involvement for which he had been paid £469,000 in fees had been understated but did not appeal against the judgment.
Initially, she revealed in court that her stepson had acted as Abramovich's lawyer at an early stage of the trial. Berezovsky's attorneys stated that their client did not object to her continuing to preside over the case. They later alleged that the lawyer's involvement, for which he was paid £469,000 in fees, had been underestimated but did not contest the verdict.