Judicial principle — Kuwait Court of Cassation

Kuwait Court of Cassation principle number 4210

State of Kuwait · Civil Matters — Volume 11 · Ministry of Justice — Court of Cassation — Technical Office

English translation of the principle

The deceased’s retention of possession of property which he disposed of to one of his heirs and of his right to enjoy it throughout his lifetime. A legal presumption that it is a disposition taking effect after death and is therefore subject to the rules governing wills. The conditions for this: that the disposition be to one of the disposer’s heirs, that the disposer retain possession of the property by any means throughout his lifetime, and that his enjoyment of the property rest on a legal right. Mere possession by the disposer throughout his lifetime of property disposed of to one of his heirs, without his enjoyment resting on a legal right entitling him thereto, or without such retention being accompanied by actual possession and enjoyment of the property. Does not establish the legal presumption. The burden of proving the existence of the conditions for this presumption lies upon the person asserting it.
Arabic original
احتفاظ المورث بحيازة العين التي تصرف فيها لأحد ورثته وبحقه في الانتفاع بها مدى حياته. قرينة قانونية على أنه تصرف مضاف إلى ما بعد الموت فتسري عليه أحكام الوصية. شرط ذلك: أن يكون التصرف لأحد ورثة المتصرف وأن يحتفظ المتصرف بحيازة العين بأية طريقة مدى حياته وأن يستند انتفاعه بالعين إلى حق قانوني. مجرد حيازة المتصرف للعين المتصرف فيها لأحد ورثته مدى حياته دون أن يستند في انتفاعه بها إلى حق قانوني يخوله ذلك أو دون أن يقترن هذا الاحتفاظ بحيازة العين حيازة فعلية والانتفاع بها. لا تتوافر به القرينة القانونية. وقوع عبء إثبات توافر شروط هذه القرينة على عاتق من يدعى بها.
Original Arabic judgment citations

(الطعن ٤٢٣/٢٠٠٣ مدني جلسة ٨/١١/٢٠٠٤ مج القسم الخامس - المجلد السادس ص ٥٣٢)

Source: Court of Cassation legal principles collection — Civil Matters — Volume 11 — Ministry of Justice — Court of Cassation — Technical Office. PDF pages: 826.

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