A High Court test case is examining whether WhatsApp messages sent by Audun Mar Gudmundsson to his ex-wife, artist Hsiao Mei-Lin, legally transferred his share of their £1.5 million London home. Ms Lin argues that messages he sent before his 2016 bankruptcy showed a clear intention to give up his interest, claiming the texts amounted to a written and signed document. Trustees for Mr Gudmundsson dispute this, saying the messages “were not signed” and cannot be binding.
Trustees argue that the WhatsApp display of Mr Gudmundsson’s name is generated by Ms Lin’s phone, not the sender, and that the exchange was merely discussion “subject to contract/consent order.” Ms Lin’s lawyers maintain he intended to relinquish his stake, citing his statements about leaving London “for good” and giving her “100%” responsibility for the children. Mr Justice Cawson has reserved judgment after a two-day appeal hearing.