Dorant v Dorant & Ors [2025] EWHC 3360 (Ch) (23 December 2025)

Dorant v Dorant & Ors [2025] EWHC 3360 (Ch) (23 December 2025)

On the balance of probabilities, only McDonald, St Clair, and Francis were biological children of Stanley O'Brien Dorant. Stella and Clyde were not proven to be Stanley's children. Distribution of McDonald's estate should be among the issue of his half-siblings (St Clair and Francis).

Citation
[2025] EWHC 3360 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: Shaka Xavier Dorant; First Defendant: Desiree Rachel Dorant; Second Defendant: Gerard Burton; Third Defendant: Tyler Dorant
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 December 2025
Procedural Posture
Part 8 Claim (chancery, Kin Inquiry, Intestacy) / Judgment After Trial on Written Evidence
Outcome
Claim allowed in part; court determines Stanley's biological children were McDonald, St Clair, and Francis only.
Legal Topics
Kin Inquiry, Distribution of Intestate Estate, Presumption of Paternity, Admissibility of DNA Evidence, Benjamin Order, Burden of Proof in Civil Cases, Family Tradition Evidence
Probate Intestacy Genealogy Civil Procedure Kin Inquiry Distribution of Intestate Estate Presumption of Paternity Admissibility of DNA Evidence +3 more

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 6 Authorities cited 21 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 5
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Shaka Xavier Dorant

Claimant

Desiree Rachel Dorant

First Defendant

Gerard Burton

Second Defendant

Tyler Dorant

Third Defendant

Procedural Posture

Part 8 Claim (chancery, Kin Inquiry, Intestacy) / Judgment After Trial on Written Evidence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Who are the biological children of Stanley O'Brien Dorant for the purpose of entitlement to McDonald Peter Noel's intestate estate?
  2. 2 Whether Stella, Clyde, St Clair, and Francis were children of Stanley O'Brien Dorant

Ratio Decidendi

On the balance of probabilities, only McDonald, St Clair, and Francis were biological children of Stanley O'Brien Dorant. Stella and Clyde were not proven to be Stanley's children. Distribution of McDonald's estate should be among the issue of his half-siblings (St Clair and Francis).

Court Disposition

Claim allowed in part; court determines Stanley's biological children were McDonald, St Clair, and Francis only.

Orders

  • Distribution of McDonald Peter Noel's estate to be among the issue of his half-siblings (St Clair and Francis).
  • No entitlement for descendants of Stella or Clyde.