Heather Mills insisted today that there was no bust-up with Mishcon de Reya and that the parting from her divorce lawyers had been "amicable".

Speaking to reporters outside the High Court in London after a judge awarded her £24.3 million in her divorce with Sir Paul McCartney, Ms Mills hinted that money had been an important factor in the split. Mishcon had wanted to charge her an extra £600,000 if the case was not settled and went to trial, she said.

But in spite of reports that Mishcon had dumped her and was suing her over an unpaid £2 million bill, Ms Mills said the split had been "planned for months". She said she remained "very good friends" with solicitor Anthony Julius, who she "respects very much".

Mishcon confirmed it was no longer acting for Ms Mills on November 8 last year. Sources at the time said the firm refused to keep advising her after she repeatedly ignored instructions not to discuss her marriage breakdown in public. The last straw was said to be an emotional interview she gave to GMTV.

The firm today declined to comment.

Ms Mills urged divorcing couples to consider representing themselves and "save yourself a fortune".

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