Privy Council to hear rare Scottish baronetcy dispute case

Seven judges will decide whether an affair in the early 20th century has affected the bloodline in an attempt to resolve the case of aristocratic entitlement to the Scottish baronetcy.

The case was formally referred to the Judicial Committee by the Queen.

The baronetcy was established by Charles II in 1683, with the case revolving around Sir Steuart Robert Pringle, former Commandant General in the Royal Marines, who died in 2013.

His son, Simon Robert Pringle, 56, and his second cousin, Norman Murray Pringle, 74, both claim the baronetcy, which is without any property.

DNA belonging to Sir Steuart, however, did not match the Pringle lineage. This is the first time DNA will have been used to deal with a disagreement over hereditary titles.

Baronetcies are granted by the Crown and heirs do not automatically succeed to them. Rather, a potential heir must provide evidence of their relationship to the deceased.

The Judicial Committee, comprising President of the Supreme Court, Lord Neuberger, Deputy President, Lady Hale, Lord Mance, Lord Clarke, Lord Reed, Lord Hughes and Lord Hodge will decide between the pair but are likely to rule in favour of Norman Murray Pringle if DNA evidence is admitted.

The 17th century grant to Robert Pringle of Stichill was made ac heredibus masculis de suo corpore – “and his male heirs from his body”.

It is alleged the 9th baronet was not the son of the 8th baronet. Norman Murray Pringle is a descendant of the second son of the 8th baronet.