A Muslim couple ran up £300,000 in lawyers' bills fighting over how their 18-year relationship should be drawn to a close, a High Court judge has said.

The woman wanted a "decree of nullity", which would allow her to claim cash from the man.

The man wanted a declaration there had been "nothing capable of recognition as a marriage", which would bar the woman from making any cash claim.

Mr Justice Francis has ruled in favour of the woman after analysing the case at a private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

He indicated they had started their relationship in 1999 and concluded they had taken part in a Muslim ceremony which "purported to effect the contract of marriage".

The judge has not identified the couple in a written ruling on the case.

He said the man was 74 and the woman 61.

His ruling indicated the pair came from Pakistan and had lived in Tooting, south London.

"The parties have between them spent some £300,000 litigating this issue," said Mr Justice Francis.

"To the layman it might seem remarkable that so much time and money could be spent on this fine distinction between a decree of nullity and a declaration that their relationship fell short of anything that could be recognisable as marriage."

He added: "However, if I do grant the certificate of entitlement to a decree of nullity, the petitioner will then be permitted to pursue a claim for ancillary relief and for financial remedy; whereas if I dismiss the petition, she will have no such rights."