The divorce proceedings between Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi are expected to conclude in record time, sparing both parties extended time in court and in the public eye. Lawson, 53, arrived in London at 10.30 yesterday, according to The Daily Mail, and the divorce proceedings were reportedly expected to conclude by the end of the day – “in a matter of minutes,” according to the publication.

Nigella Lawson, New York
Nigella has remained silent about the divorce.

New information states that Lawson is, in fact, the applicant in the case, making Saatchi the defendant. This goes against the art collector’s story, as Saatchi maintained, from the moment the papers were filed, that the divorce had been initiated by him. Lawson, who is known for her various cooking programs, her vibrant media persona and her apparent “carpe diem” attitude to life, has strayed away from public appearances ever since the scandal began more than a month ago, with the publication of a set of controversial photos. The pictures, released by the Sunday People more than a month ago, showed Saatchi and Lawson’s public row, during which Saatchi appeared to grab his wife’s neck.

Nigella Lawson, Charles Saatchi, Saatchi Gallery Opening
The pair's decade-long marriage spiraled out of control in just a few weeks.

Of course, by now, the pictures have seeped into the public consciousness and so has the divorce that ensued, along with Saatchi’s statement, claiming he was seeking the divorce, because of a lack of support from his wife. Throughout all this, Lawson has remained silent and limited her public appearances. The divorce settlement will also remain undisclosed. The pair are reportedly worth over $228 million with Saatchi’s ad agency and art collection accounting for most of it, although Lawson’s cooking franchise is also worth a sizeable chunk. They also had a prenuptial agreement in place, so the divorce was as quick and clean as possible.

Nigella Lawson, Saatchi Gallery
The pair's prenupt meant a quick and clean divorce.