Chef Marco Pierre White and his estranged wife Matilde are embroiled in a High Court row over money.
Mrs White is asking a judge to consider jailing Mr White for not paying alimony as ordered.
Mr White, however, says he cannot afford to pay what he has been ordered. He is asking for a review.
A judge analysed their dispute at a public hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.
Mr Justice Holman said their arguments would be considered at further hearings next year.
He also said he hoped Mr and Mrs White would be able to settle their differences out of court.
Mr Justice Holman was told that they had been involved in litigation between 2008 and 2011 and had run up lawyers’ bills in the region of £2 million.
