Amber Heard's legal team says Johnny Depp should double $7m donation to charity

Amber Heard's legal team has called on Hollywood actor Johnny Depp to double his $7m (£5.3m) donation to a domestic violence charity, after alleging that he would receive half of the settlement amount back in tax deductions.

The actresses was awarded $7m in her divorce settlement and pledged to give all of the money to charity. On Thursday (25 August), it was reported that the Pirates Of The Caribbean actor has already paid the first batch of his divorce settlement to two children's charities, donating the money directly himself.

The first of 'multiple instalments' were made to Amber's chosen charities, the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and the American Civil Liberties Union. However, the actress's legal team have claimed that Johnny did so in order to benefit from substantial tax deductions.

A member of Heards legal team told Mail online: "If Johnny wishes to change the settlement agreement, we must insist that he honour the full amount by donating $14million to charity, which after accounting for his tax deduction, is equal to his $7million payment obligation to Amber."

In an earlier statement Amber said she wanted the entire sum of money to go to charity. "As reported in the media, the amount received in the divorce was $7 million and $7 million is being donated," she explained. "This is over and above any funds that I have given away in the past and will continue to give away in the future.

"The donation will be divided equally between the ACLU, with a particular focus to stop violence against women, and the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, where I have worked as a volunteer for the past 10 years alongside organisations like the Art of Elysium.

"Over the years, I have seen firsthand how more funding for staffing, better equipment and better medication can make the difference between life or death for a child.

"I know these organisations will put the funds to good use and look forward to continuing to support them in the future. Hopefully, this experience results in a positive change in the lives of people who need it the most."

According to TMZ, Depp's spokesman responded to the announcement that his estranged wife was intending to give the divorce settlement to charity, saying: "Ms. Heard's generosity in giving to these wonderful causes is deeply respected."

Johnny and Amber split in May 2016 and the actress was granted a restraining order after accusing him of domestic abuse. Amber alleged Johnny threw a phone at her during an argument and insisted there were other instances where he had been violent towards her.

In May, Heard obtained a temporary restraining order against Depp and filed what she claimed to be evidence of his domestic violence against her. In legal documents, Heard claims Depp physically abused her on multiple occasions and produced photos of bruises allegedly obtained from the various incidents.

In a joint statement - released after agreeing to the terms of their divorce - the former marital couple said: "Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love... Neither party has made false accusations for financial gains. There was never an intent of physical or emotional harm."