ALEXANDER DAVID NIVEN AND ANOTHER AGAINST IRENE ROBERTA HUNTER-FORBES NIVEN [2023] ScotCS CSOH_57 (24 August 2023)

ALEXANDER DAVID NIVEN AND ANOTHER AGAINST IRENE ROBERTA HUNTER-FORBES NIVEN [2023] ScotCS CSOH_57 (24 August 2023)

The pursuers proved, on the balance of probabilities and with cogent evidence, that Irene Niven forged Alexander Niven's signature on the codicil. Expert handwriting evidence, circumstantial evidence, and inconsistencies in the defender's account outweighed direct testimony. The codicil is not genuine and must be reduced.

Citation
[2023] ScotCS CSOH_57
Parties
Pursuer: Alexander David Niven; Pursuer: Carole Melaisi; Defender: Irene Roberta Hunter-Forbes Niven
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Judgment Date
24 August 2023
Procedural Posture
Civil Reduction of Testamentary Document / Final Judgment After Proof
Outcome
Codicil reduced; disposition conveying property to Irene Niven reduced; perpetual interdict granted.
Legal Topics
Forgery of Testamentary Documents, Burden of Proof in Civil Fraud, Reduction of Codicil, Validity of Wills and Codicils
Succession Law Civil Procedure Forgery of Testamentary Documents Burden of Proof in Civil Fraud Reduction of Codicil Validity of Wills and Codicils

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Parties

Alexander David Niven

Pursuer

Carole Melaisi

Pursuer

Irene Roberta Hunter-Forbes Niven

Defender

Procedural Posture

Civil Reduction of Testamentary Document / Final Judgment After Proof

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Irene Niven forged Alexander Niven's signature on the codicil
  2. 2 Whether the codicil is valid and should stand
  3. 3 Burden and standard of proof in civil forgery cases

Ratio Decidendi

The pursuers proved, on the balance of probabilities and with cogent evidence, that Irene Niven forged Alexander Niven's signature on the codicil. Expert handwriting evidence, circumstantial evidence, and inconsistencies in the defender's account outweighed direct testimony. The codicil is not genuine and must be reduced.

Court Disposition

Codicil reduced; disposition conveying property to Irene Niven reduced; perpetual interdict granted.

Orders

  • Codicil dated 22 January 2020 reduced.
  • Disposition dated 21 January 2022 reduced.