Legal Fight over the Pringle of Stichill Baronetcy

[cessna152towser]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...tland-34924607

Two members of a Borders family are fighting over the rights to a baronetcy in one of the most unusual legal disputes seen in a British court.
Murray Pringle, 74, and his cousin Simon Pringle, 56, both lay claim to the baronetcy of Pringle of Stichill.
The Queen has asked senior judges to make decisions on the dispute under laws dating back more than 150 years.
Seven judges are analysing evidence at a hearing of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
Judges have been told that Charles II granted the baronetcy of Stichill, a village near Kelso, to Robert Pringle of Stichill - and the "male heirs from his body" - on 5 January, 1683.
The 10th Baronet, Sir Steuart Pringle, a retired Royal Marine commander who survived an IRA bomb attack, died in 2013 aged 84, judges have heard.
Now his son Simon, and Murray - his second cousin - disagree over who should claim the title.
Lawyers for Murray Pringle, said Simon, should not become the 11th Baronet because there has been a "break in the line of paternity".
They say tests have shown that Sir Steuart's DNA "did not match that of the Pringle lineage".
James Guthrie QC, for Murray, suggested that the problem had arisen following the death of the 8th Baronet, Sir Norman Pringle, in 1919.
He said Sir Norman and wife Florence had three sons: Norman, Ronald - Murray's father - and James.
In 1920 Florence had made a formal "statutory declaration" stating Norman was the eldest son of the 8th Baronet and was entitled to succeed to the Baronetcy.
But Murray, an accountant from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, argued that the 8th Baronet was not Norman's father.
And he claimed that, as Ronald's son, he is the rightful successor to the Baronetcy.
Mr Guthrie told judges that there had been "family gossip" and "tongues wagging". But he said did not want to "make aspersions" against any Baronet or any "ladies".
Simon, a businessman who lives near Hastings, East Sussex, disputes Murray's claim.
The hearing began on Wednesday and is expected to end on Thursday.
The judges, who are all Supreme Court justices, are not expected to publish a ruling until next year.

[Father Bill]

This stuff is always fascinating. Please keep us apprised as this evolves!

[Jock Scot]

Ouch! Someone is in for a hefty legal bill!

[Liam]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...tland-34924607

Another example of why I'm glad that Canada did away with the peerage system.

[Geoff Withnell]

As the Talmud says, "Motherhood is an observed fact, fatherhood is an opinion."

[MacEanruig]

I find it interesting how DNA evidence is slowly becoming involved in matters of inheritance. Nonetheless, I feel Lord Lyon may not be quick to adopt it as genealogical evidence.

[MacCathmhaoil]

Another example of why I'm glad that Canada did away with the peerage system.

But they haven't, there is nothing prohibiting a Canadian receiving a peerage. Don't let the "Baron Black of Crossharbour " thing mislead you, that was purely a political and vindictive issue more than anything. The Nichol resolution is NOT law!

[Liam]

But they haven't, there is nothing prohibiting a Canadian receiving a peerage. Don't let the "Baron Black of Crossharbour " thing mislead you, that was purely a political and vindictive issue more than anything. The Nichol resolution is NOT law!

No, sir, the 1917 Nickle Resolution is not a law, merely a Canadian Parliamentary request to the ruling Monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth 2 not to bestow peerages upon Canadians and which for the most part has been complied with. I don't wish to debate whether Conrad Black deserved to be stripped of his Order of Canada, his seat on the Privy Council either. The facts speak for themselves.

[MacCathmhaoil]

There were a few knighthoods as well as a few peerages. There were others that were done rather quietly because they held dual British/Canadian citizenship, it only became an issue with Prime Minister Chrétien in the Black case. Nickle was/is/has been cited or ignored when convenient. That being said with the present Canadian and Provincial Honours programs in place I doubt there will any others.

It will be interesting to see how this case before the Lords plays out as it could have far reaching implications if the DNA evidence is accepted. It would open some challenges to some other peerages and there may be some others resurrected. Many may be scared! If I had to guess, I'd say they may ignore the DNA.

[MacGumerait]

It will be interesting to see how this case before the Lords plays out as it could have far reaching implications if the DNA evidence is accepted. It would open some challenges to some other peerages and there may be some others resurrected. Many may be scared! If I had to guess, I'd say they may ignore the DNA.

MacCatmhaoil , I would agree and I think you are most likely correct regarding your guess .