Part VI The Law of Property, 30 Immovables

Subject(s):

Choice of law clauses — Contract — Immovables — Transfer of movables — Trusts

This chapter examines the choice of law rules governing immovables. There are a range of circumstances in which the English courts may have jurisdiction (either under common law or European Union rules) over cases which require the determination of legal issues relating to foreign immovable property. These include cases where the question of title arises incidentally in a personal claim against a defendant, or in the administration of a trust, will or divorce over which the English courts have jurisdiction, or in the context of a claim for trespass over foreign land. This chapter first considers the law of the situs rule before discussing specific issues relating to choice of the law applicable to immovables, focusing in particular on the capacity to take and transfer immovables, formalities of alienation, essential validity of transfers, and contracts.