ARTICLE · 06 DECEMBER 2024

A Lesson On The Forfeiture Act

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The case of *Leeson v McPherson* explores the forfeiture rule, preventing a person accused of unlawful killing from benefiting from an estate or life insurance, despite a criminal acquittal.

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In September, the case of Leeson & Another v McPherson considers the forfeiture rule and how it can impact upon the ability to make a claim on a life insurance policy or inherit from an estate, when an unlawful killing is involved.

Paula Leeson died whilst on holiday in Denmark having drowned in a swimming pool. The Danish authorities initially concluded that Paula's death was accidental. Later, her husband Donald McPherson was charged with her murder but at the criminal trial in Manchester Crown Court, the jury were directed by the judge to return a verdict of 'not guilty' following Donald's lawyer's successful submission of 'no case to answer'.

However, Paula's adult son Ben Leeson and her father William Leeson issued civil proceedings claiming that:

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