John in Scotland

Sisters cannot inherit house they have lived in since birth, European Court rules - Telegraph

(Well, I think that it is political correctness gone mad. I take the point that national governments are entitled to discretion when deciding taxation arrangements, so I don't blame the ECHR - just HMG.)

The Bear

It’s disgusting and wrong.

There really should be provisions made for the case where long term cohabiting siblings could enter into an agreement that gave the surviving individual at least all property rights and obligations.

I understand it would open a can of worms regarding pensions and a few things besides but there must surely be room for a place for natural justice in the world.

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g hall

Just shows what happens when a government needs the money and what happens when the housing market has been artificially inflated by the same government

Taxation Taxation Taxation

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"That government is best which governs least."
"This is a sharp Medicine, but it is a Physician for all diseases and miseries".
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ranter

This is a discrace.The thieving govenment will get thier filthy hands on the sisters wealth after they have both passed on .To make the surviving sister move out to pay inheratance tax is obscene.

Westcountryman

Inheritance tax should be abolished completely. Capital Gains tax should go the way of the dodo too.

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the cake is a lie.
the cake is a lie.
the cake is a lie.
the cake is a lie.

Ian C

I'm sure Gordon would disagree on that one.

Oddly enough this is covered by statute in many areas of legislation.
It's just very open to interpretation.

The case however is not as unjust as it sounds. Taking it to ECHR was a mistake since they were bound to lose. Did no one suggest 'tenants in common', holding their property in trust or various other possible alternatives..if Tony Blair can do it I'm certain these old dears could ..

Mikeuk

Actually 'Natural Justice' has a very specific legal meaning which covers only a small part of the popular interpretation of the term.

Ian C

Would you care to elaborate.