A legal dispute involving a Football Association doctor and her mother over property and money is set to return to court for a second hearing. Dr Sonia Bains, 39, who has served as a medical professional for Premier League football clubs and the FA, donated a kidney to her mother, Camilla Bains, in 2017. However, the family has been embroiled in a financial dispute following Camilla Bains’s 2019 divorce.

The conflict centers on the ownership of a five-bedroom house valued at £800,000 and approximately £340,000 in divorce settlement funds originally held by Camilla Bains. During the initial hearing, it was revealed that Mrs. Bains transferred these assets to her daughters, Sonia and her sister Sharn Bains, 30, a lawyer, apparently to maintain her eligibility for means-tested welfare benefits. The mother subsequently attempted to reclaim the property and funds, leading to legal proceedings.

Last year, a judge ruled that despite the house being registered in Sonia Bains’s name, signed documents confirmed that Camilla Bains had previously been the beneficial owner but relinquished her interest voluntarily. The judge concluded that Mrs. Bains had intentionally divested herself of assets to preserve her welfare benefits. He found no legal grounds for her demand that the property and money be returned.

The judge described the family’s situation as “a very sad, troubled and unfortunate” one, exacerbated by the divorce. He also rejected claims from Mrs. Bains alleging that her daughters had conspired to misrepresent the division of assets. Sonia Bains denied wrongdoing, accusing her mother of being “motivated by greed” and envious of her daughters’ success.

Despite the ruling against her, Camilla Bains has secured permission to appeal. At a recent hearing, Lexa Hilliard KC, representing Mrs. Bains, argued it was “slightly odd and unfair” that her client had been left without assets. Mr Justice Fancourt granted leave to appeal on the property issue, indicating that the case presented a “realistic” prospect of success, rather than a “fanciful” one.

The family dispute remains unresolved as the appeal is scheduled for a full hearing at a later date. The case highlights complex intersections between asset division, welfare regulations, and familial relations, with the key issues revolving around the transfer and ownership of significant financial and property assets amid personal and legal struggles.