Seychelles Judgment

Supreme Court

In the matter of Exparte Alex Sofola (XP163/2018) [2018] SCSC 8348 (27 December 2018)

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Source document

01

Holding and result

The petitioners are siblings and heirs of the deceased, all other heirs have consented, and the petitioners meet the legal requirements for appointment as joint executors under the Civil Code of Seychelles.

Court disposition

application granted

Orders

  • Alex Sofola and Innocent Jonas Sofola appointed as joint executors to the succession of Marie Claude Sophola

02

Material facts

Parties

Alex Sofola

Petitioner Counsel: Miss Tania Thyroomooldy for Mr Bernard Georges

Innocent Jonas Sofola

Petitioner Counsel: Miss Tania Thyroomooldy for Mr Bernard Georges

Marie Claude Sophola

Deceased

Amounts and remedies

  • Date of Death: 20,180,429

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Probate / Application for Appointment of Executors

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Whether the petitioners should be appointed as joint executors to the succession of the deceased Marie Claude Sophola

Party arguments

Applicant
The petitioners, as siblings and heirs of the deceased, seek appointment as joint executors to her succession, with the consent of all other heirs, and satisfy all legal requirements under the Civil Code of Seychelles.
Respondent
No opposition or respondent argument is recorded.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    Article 1026 of the Civil Code of Seychelles Act, Cap 33

    Appointment of executors to succession where deceased died intestate and heirs consent.

  2. 02

    Article 1027 of the Civil Code of Seychelles Act, Cap 33

    Eligibility of executors not subject to legal incapacity.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The petitioners are siblings and heirs of the deceased, all other heirs have consented, and the petitioners meet the legal requirements for appointment as joint executors under the Civil Code of Seychelles.

Court disposition

application granted

  • Alex Sofola and Innocent Jonas Sofola appointed as joint executors to the succession of Marie Claude Sophola

Source and reliance status

Supreme Court

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Judgment text

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Source document

Supreme Court

Judgment

[2018] SCSC 8348

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF SEYCHELLES Civil Side: XP163 12018 [2018] sese I Iy..s IN THE MATTER OF EXP ARTE ALEX SOFOLA & ORS Heard: Counsel: 21st December 2018 Miss Tania Thyroomooldy for Mr Bernard Georges for Petitioner Delivered: 28th December 2018

ORDER B. Adeline, Master [1] This is a joint application by Petition, for the appointment of the Petitioners, one Alex Sofola ofBaie Lazare, Mahe and one Innocent Jonas Sofola of Anse Royale, Mahe as joint executors to the succession of the late Marie Claude Sophola. The application is made by virtue of Article 1026 of the Civil Code of Seychelles Act. Cap 33, and is supported by two affidavits sworn by the Petitioners individually. Attached to the Affidavits are the relevant documentary evidence as required by Practice Direction No 1 of 1989. [2] On the basis of the affidavit and documentary evidence tendered in support of the pleadings in the application, I am satisfied, that as per her Certificate of Death pertaining to Register No 11 of 2018, S, exhibit PI, Marie Claude Sophola (hereinafter referred as "the deceased") died intestate on the 29th April 2018 at Baie Lazare, Mahe Seychelles. [3] I am also satisfied that the deceased is survived by her heirs who are, including the Petitioners, her siblings. [4] All her siblings were born of the deceased parents, namely, Jonathas Sophola and Beatrice Sophola nee Joubert who have since passed away. Their certificate of death tendered and marked as exhibit P2 collectively. The siblings are; 1. Alex Sofola, born on the 2nd July 1952 (the pt Petitioner).

2. Innocent Jonas Sofola born on the 11th April 1970 (the 2nd Petitioner).

3. Maria Sophola born on the 6th December 1955.

4. Jeannine Pirame, nee Sophola born on the 13th February 1966.

5. Johna Soffola born on the 30th October 1961, and 6. Therese Sophola born on the 19th November 1959. The certificates of birth of all the deceased's siblings tendered, verified and marked as exhibit P3 collectively. [5] I am satisfied, that the other heirs of the deceased named at paragraph 4 above, excluding the 1st and 2nd Petitioners, all have consented to the appointment of the I" and 2nd Petitioners and joint executors to the succession of the deceased. A written document dated 28th August 2018, signed by the other four heirs of the deceased by which they expressly consent to the appointment of the 1st and 2nd Petitioners as executors to the succession of the deceased tendered and marked as exhibit P4. [6] I am also satisfied, that at the time of her death the deceased owned immovable property in Seychelles, namely; 1. Halfundivided share in a parcel of land registered as title T403, proof of which is Certificate of Official Search dated the 8th August 2018 issued under the Land Registration Act, tendered and marked as exhibit P5. [7] I am also satisfied that at the time of her death, the deceased also owned movable property in Seychelles namely; 1. A Seychelles rupee bank account No. 01201021014002 held by the International Mercantile Banking Corporation Ltd, trading as Nouvo Banq. [8] I am satisfied that both of the two Petitioners are desirous to be appointed as joint

executors to the succession of the deceased, and that they are not subject to any legal incapacity to be so appointed, and to perform the duties of executors as prescribed under Article 1027 of the Civil Code of Seychelles Act, Cap 33. [9] I therefore grant the application, and accordingly, I hereby appoint the two Petitioners, Alex Sofola and Innocent Jonas Sofola as joint executors to the succession of the deceased, Marie Claude Sophola. Signed, dated and delivered at He du Port on 28th December 2018 3

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Authorities

Authorities used by the court

Cases, legislation, regulations, and constitutional provisions identified in the available record.

Civil Code of Seychelles Act, Cap 33

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

Land Registration Act

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

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