Rice v Rice (1853) 61 E R 646

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Facts
  • The vendors sold a house for a sum
  • Before that sum was paid in full, they conveyed title to the purchaser
  • The purchaser then absconded, and mortgaged the property to the mortgagee, who had no idea of the circumstance
Issue
  • Whose equitable interest is better?
Held
  • The rule should be, when two equitable interests are the same in all respects except time, then qui prior est tempore potior est jure.
  • Time considerations should be a last resort. You must look at whether one interest is better.
  • When determining which equitable interest is “better”, the Courts must look at; the nature and condition of their respective equitable interests, the circumstances and manner of their acquisition, and the conduct of each party
  • The possession of the title gives better equity generally. There are exceptions to this though
  • The vendors armed the purchaser by giving them title
  • The mortagee is bona fide

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