(739)  FIRST COHABITATION CLAIM UNDER FAMILY LAW ACT

The first case under the cohabitants’ succession rights provisions of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (see No 430) has begun in Stirling Sheriff Court.  Tatiana Chebotareva (22), a student from Russia, claims that she cohabited with the late James King from 2002 until his death in 2006.  They lived together successively in London, Stirling and South Queensferry.  Mr King died intestate, and his £250,000 estate passed to his sister, Dorje Khandro, who, just to add a further exotic touch, is a Buddhist nun living in a monastery in the Himalayas.  She says she would like the money to go to good causes after meeting her own medical expenses.  Evidence in the case was completed on 7 February 2008, and a legal debate will take place before Sheriff Thomas Ward on 6 March.