Sports Doctor and Lawyer Sisters Sued by Their Mother Over Property and Divorce Settlement

A sports medicine specialist, who once saved her mother’s life by donating a kidney, is now embroiled in a bitter £1 million-plus legal dispute with her own family. Dr. Sonia Bains, aged 38, and her sister Sharn Bains, 29, a lawyer, are being sued by their mother, Camilla Bains, over ownership of an £800,000 house and a £340,000 divorce settlement.

The case, which has unfolded in Central London County Court, centres on the property located in Rosehill Gardens, Sutton, and the £340,000 Camilla received as part of her 2019 divorce settlement. Camilla has been in poor health for many years, having undergone three kidney transplants, with the most recent one in 2017, where Sonia was the donor.

Despite the life-saving gesture, the family’s relationship has since deteriorated. Sonia bought the Rosehill Gardens house in 2015, claiming sole ownership, but Camilla’s legal team argues that a declaration of trust signed at the time made her the true beneficial owner of the property. Sonia’s legal team, however, maintains that the house was rightfully purchased by Sonia, asserting that the trust document was signed under duress.

The dispute also extends to the divorce settlement. Camilla claims that £340,000 of the divorce payout, which she transferred to her daughters, was intended to be held “on trust” for her, but Sonia and Sharn argue that their mother gifted them the money.

The case has been described as tragic by the sisters’ barrister, Simon Calhaem, who noted the significant breakdown in the family’s relationship, despite earlier gestures of generosity, including Sonia’s kidney donation. Camilla, on the other hand, seeks not only the return of the £340,000 but also £125,000 from Sonia and £240,000 from Sharn, alongside vacant possession of the house.

The court battle has highlighted the deep rift between the family members, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts of financial contributions and the ownership of property. Sonia and Sharn’s lawyers argue that the legal documents support their claim, while Camilla’s legal team insists that the house and divorce funds were always intended for her benefit.

The case continues to unfold, with both parties seeking to resolve the dispute over the house and the funds, while attempting to reclaim what they believe to be rightfully theirs.