UK: Man succeeds to baronetcy granted by Charles II in landmark DNA case
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A man who claimed entitlement to the Baronetcy of Stichill on the basis that DNA evidence put in doubt his rival’s claim has succeeded after the Board of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council found in his favour.
Lord Hodge gave the opinion of the Board which also comprised Lord Neuberger, Lady Hale, Lord Mance, Lord Clarke, Lord Reed and Lord Hughes.
The historic ruling means that Norman Murray Pringle is entitled to succeed to the baronetcy and not Simon Robert Pringle, who had earlier claimed it.
The court heard that evidence showed the DNA of Simon Pringle’s father, Sir Steuart Pringle, “did not match that of the Pringle lineage”.
A statement released by solicitor Nick Stotesbury of Batchelors Solicitors, acting for Simon Pringle, reads: “I want to congratulate Murray for winning the verdict and express the hope that he and his successors will wear the title as honourably as my father.
“This was a horrible ordeal for my parents, and the result is the opposite of the one which they would have wanted.
“However, I believe there would have been relief that the question is resolved and admiration for the process that led to the verdict.”
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