IN RE KARIYAVOULAS (DECD.); DONKOR vs. GREEK CONSUL

IN RE KARIYAVOULAS (DECD.); DONKOR vs. GREEK CONSUL–GENERAL [1973]DLHC2390

Date	1973-03-30
Suit No.
Citation No.	[1973]DLHC2390

CHARLES CRABBE J.

JAMES MERCER FOR THE APPLICANT.

E. E. HAMMOND-LAING FOR THE RESPONDENT.

[1973]DLHC2390
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >IN RE KARIYAVOULAS (DECD.); DONKOR <o:p></o:p>vs. <o:p></o:p>GREEK CONSUL–GENERAL <o:p></o:p>[HIGH COURT,
SEKONDI]<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[1973]
2 GLR 52<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">

DATE:
30 MARCH 1973.<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">

JAMES MERCER FOR THE APPLICANT.<o:p></o:p>

E. E. HAMMOND-LAING FOR THE RESPONDENT.<o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM:
<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">

CHARLES CRABBE J.<o:p></o:p>

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>JUDGMENT FOR CHARLES CRABBE J.<o:p></o:p>On 29
January 1972, a motion was filed by counsel for the applicant for letters of
administration in respect of the estate of one Andreas Kariyavoulas. On 1 February
1972, Edusei J. dismissed the application on the ground that:<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">“In view
of the averments in the affidavit, I do not think the applicant who married the
deceased, a Greek national, according to customary law, is the proper person to
ask for letters of administration ...”<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>On 8
February 1972, counsel for the applicant applied for letters of administration
and filed an authority issued by the applicant Adjuah Donkor also known as
Adjuah Kariyavoulas as next friend of her two children, issues of the deceased
Andreas Kariyavoulas. On 20 February 1972, Edusei J. refused the application.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>On 20
October 1972, counsel filed another ex parte motion under paragraph (a) of rule
1 of Order 60 of the Supreme [High] Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 1954 (L.N.
140A), for the grant of letters of administration. On 6 November 1972, the
solicitor acting on behalf of the Greek Consul-General in Ghana filed the
relevant notice to prohibit the grant of letters of administration. The
relevant warning was given to the caveator. On 6 December 1972, the Greek
Consul-General filed his affidavit of interest.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>In it he
avers that the deceased died in Greece intestate. He had asked the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in Greece to find out and report as quickly as possible the
names and addresses of the relatives of the deceased and the whereabouts of his
children. He added:<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">“(6) That
the late Andreas Kariyavoulas was a Greek subject and I am informed and verily
believe that his capacity to enter into a contract of marriage is governed by
lex domicilii that is to say the law of marriage in Greece. <o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">(7) That
according to the law of marriage in Greece if any marriage by a Greek subject
is not solemnised in a church and no record thereof is made in the Register of
Marriage then such a marriage is illegal and unrecognised. <o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">(8) That
to the best of my knowledge, information and belief the alleged marriage
between the applicant and the late Mr. Kariyavoulas was according to native
custom in Ghana and consequently it is illegal, unrecognised and not binding
and contrary to the lex domicilii of the late Kariyavoulas who was not a
Ghanaian.<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">(9) That
according to the law of succession in Greece brothers succeed and since there
are none of the relatives </main>