Ruxandra Dumitrescu v Constantin Daniel Scradeanu [2012] NSWSC 1235

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Ruxandra Dumitrescu v Constantin Daniel Scradeanu [2012] NSWSC 1235 Hearing dates: 26.09.12, 27.09.12 Decision date: 16 October 2012 Before: Nicholas J Decision: Par 37 Catchwords: WILLS PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION - contested application for grant of letters of administration - cross-claim for grant of probate in solemn form - form and layout of will unusual - operation of "suspicious circumstances" rule in context of allegation of forgery - whether evidence sufficient to remove suspicions - whether proponent demonstrated will should be admitted to probate - whether necessary for proponent to provide executor's affidavit - turns on facts - no question of legal principle Legislation Cited: Succession Act 2006 Civil Procedure Act 2005 Supreme Court Rules 1970 Cases Cited: Nock v Austin [1918] HCA 73; (1918) 25 CLR 519 Re Estate of Fuld [1968] P 675 Re Stevens [1897] 1 Ch 422 Tobin v Ezekiel [2012] NSWCA 285 Texts Cited: Williams, Mortimer and Sunnucks, Executors, Administrators, and Probate, 17th Ed, 1993 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ruxandra Dumitrescu - plaintiff/cross-defendant Constantin Daniel Scradeanu - defendant/cross-claimant Representation: Counsel: M W Sneddon/C A Alexander - plaintiff/cross-defendant P Lange - defendant/cross-claimant Solicitors: Florin Burhala Lawyers - plaintiff/cross-defendant Aquila Lawyers - defendant/cross-claimant File Number(s): 11/194811