A battle over an ancient British title is heading to the the Supreme Court for the justices to decide if DNA can be used to resolve a controversy over the true heir. The dispute revolved around the Pringle of Stichill baronetcy, a hereditary title beneath that of a peer, with the son of the last holder being challenged by a Utah man who claims that DNA evidence shows that the current line is not actually related to the family. As a result,the Utah man wants the title to pass to himself instead of the son of the 10th baronet the since he has undisputed genetic decent from the family. However, there is doubt as to whether the court will allow DNA evidence to be used due to the problems it could create with all other hereditary titles that could be challenged on the basis of non blood decent. As of now, no date has been set for the court to decide the issue.
See Martin Beckford, Who’s the real aristocrat? Queen demands DNA to be tested in court to settle dispute over 330-year-old baronet title (…but could ruling mean a Utah Mormon is our king?), The Daily Mail, October 10, 2015.
Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.
