Letter of Administration

Elaine Palser successful in polygamous marriage claim

Elaine Palser acted successfully for the executors of the will of Mary Mendy in their claim to revoke letters of administration on the ground that Ms Mendy’s purported marriage was void because it was a polygamous marriage.  In English law, a valid marriage revokes any will executed prior to marriage.  Master Pester found that the defendant (Ms Mendy’s purported husband) was already married at the time Ms Mendy and the defendant purported to marry in Gambia.  He also found that Ms Mendy was domiciled in England at the time of the alleged marriage and so English law did not permit her to enter into a polygamous marriage, even if the marriage was valid in Gambian law.  The claimants said that…

News 6 Mar, 2023