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.
During the initial stages of the trial, she disclosed in court that her stepson had served as Abramovich's attorney at an early point in the proceedings. Berezovsky's lawyers conceded that their client had no issue with her continuing to preside over the case. They later claimed that the lawyer's involvement, for which he received £469,000 in fees, was underreported but did not appeal against the outcome.