Crazy Li agrees to drop divorce appeal

Crazy English founder Li Yang dropped the appeal against his divorce settlement with former wife Kim Lee Monday after they reached a compromise.

Li's lawyer submitted an application to withdraw Li's appeal Monday afternoon, according to a press release issued by Chaoyang district court Tuesday.

Lawyers for both sides told the Global Times that a compromise was reached over the date and way for Li to pay Lee the 12-million yuan ($192,360) property settlement. The other provisions of the divorce remain unchanged.

At the final divorce hearing on February 3, the court ruled Lee should receive 12 million yuan in property which should be paid in cash within three months, and custody of their three daughters, for each of whom Li needed to pay 100,000 yuan annually until they reach 18.

The court also ruled Li's behavior was domestic violence and ordered him to pay 50,000 yuan compensation.

Dissatisfied with the verdict, Li filed an appeal on February 20. In the appeal, he claimed he was domestically abused and refused to pay the compensation. Li asked for custody of the children and redistribution of property which he claimed should start from 2010 when the couple registered to marry in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province.

Lee filed the divorce case in November 2011, following the accusation that Li beat her in September 2011.

Qi Lianfeng, Lee's lawyer, said that in the new negotiation, Li will sign over the house in Beijing in which Lee now lives and cash, the total value of which will amount to 12 million yuan.

"Besides, the time for Li to pay has been extended a little bit longer than the three months which the court ruled. It's good to solve this issue through a peaceful manner," said Qi.

"But if Li fails to carry out this compromise, the original verdict will be enforced," he said.

Shi Ziyue, Li's lawyer, said that the original judgment which ruled Li must pay Lee 12 million yuan within three months is improper.

"Most of Li Yang's property belongs to the company [Crazy English]. It's inappropriate to say he has lots of money. Changing the payment schedule is more practical," said Shi.

According to Shi, both parties reached the agreement on Sunday when they had a face-to-face negotiation involving both lawyers and the now-divorced couple.

"The atmosphere at the negotiation was harmonious. Both sides wanted to deal with it in an understated way. This divorce case has lasted for over a year and has exerted great influence on Li's career," said Shi.

Lee wrote in her Sina microblog Tuesday, "the original decree stands and will be fully enacted. This is most important."

Li had not commented on the new agreement by Tuesday evening.