It was reported last week that an estranged couple, fighting over the sum of £500,000, spent nearly three times that amount, namely the princely sum of £1.3 million, in legal costs.

Not surprisingly, the judge presiding over the case referred to their behaviour as “truly absurd” which is one way of describing their mind-blowingly crass stupidity. When will people learn that on nine occasions out of ten the only beneficiaries from aggressive litigation are the lawyers?

Truly, a fool and his money are soon parted and this story brought to mind a favourite rhyme by the late American poet, Richard Armour – “That money talks I’ll not deny. I heard it once, it said ‘Goodbye’!”

Still, the lawyers, saying “Hello” to that money, must have been laughing all the way to the bank. Followed, no doubt, by a visit to the travel agents to book their luxury Christmas holiday in the Maldives!