The Court refused to grant a declarator that the pursuer was entitled to a liferent of land situated in England. Lord Low said: ‘Real estate in England is beyond the jurisdiction of the Scotch courts . . Further, if decree of declarator in terms of the second conclusion was pronounced, this court would have no power to give practical effect to the right thereby declared. The pursuer would require to go to England to obtain his remedy. Would the English courts, according to the principles of international law, be bound to recognise and act upon the declarator of this court? I am of opinion that they would not . . I think that the answer would be that it was for the court of the country where the real estate was situated to say what was the result, as regards the rights of the parties [of the relevant events]. I am therefore of opinion that the question . . is one with which this court is not competent to deal.’
Judges:
Lord Low
Citations:
(1902) 12 SLT 182
Scotland, Jurisdiction, Land
Updated: 06 May 2022; Ref: scu.463719
