Court ends family feud, names children as owners of property

TDT | Manama

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A lengthy legal dispute over family property ended with the children of the deceased property owner recognised as the rightful owners. The case, involving a claim by the deceased’s uncles, centred on the validity of a sales contract and outstanding financial obligations related to the property.

The children, represented by lawyer Huda Al Aswad, filed a lawsuit to validate a preliminary sales agreement between their father and a company. This required the publication of property details in the official gazette, as mandated by law to protect property rights.

The uncles contested the contract, claiming the property was purchased in their father’s name with the understanding that ownership would transfer to them upon full payment of the installments. However, they failed to provide proof of these payments.

Al Aswad argued that the property was mortgaged to a bank and that the children were the only legally responsible parties for paying the outstanding amounts, as established in a previous court ruling. The uncles then filed a counter-suit, seeking to register the property in their names based on a fictitious contract.

The High Civil Court ruled in favour of the children, validating the sales contract and ordering the Land Survey Department to register the property and issue a title deed to them. The uncles’ claims were rejected, and they were ordered to pay court fees, expenses, and legal costs. Despite appealing the decision, the uncles failed to substantiate their claims, and the Court of Appeals upheld the original judgment.