Opinion ID: 2381515
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: the restatement gets it right

Text: My colleagues have rejected the resolution of this case suggested by the Restatement of Restitution. I believe that this is a mistake. Restatements of the law are, of course, published by the American Law Institute. The Institute is comprised of especially distinguished judges, attorneys and scholars. [7] Accordingly, [t]he Restatement may be regarded both as the product of expert opinion and as the expression of the law by the legal profession. Poretta, supra note 7, 137 A.2d at 373; see also 20 AM.JUR.2D Courts § 67, at 433 (1965 & Supp.1995). We have treated the Restatement of Contracts as authoritative [i]n the absence of any current well-developed doctrine in our jurisdiction. Ellis v. James V. Hurson Assocs., 565 A.2d 615, 619 (D.C.1989). Some courts have flatly stated that they will follow the Restatement of the Law where we are not bound by the previous decisions of this court or by legislative enactment, feeling that by so doing uniformity of decision would be more nearly effected. See, e.g., Smith v. Normart, 51 Ariz. 134, 138, 75 P.2d 38, 42 (1938). In the present case, it is undisputed that there is no binding precedent in this jurisdiction on the question which has been presented to us. The basic rule propounded by the American Law Institute in this area of the law is based on Maxim I: § 188. WHERE MURDERER'S INTEREST IS ENLARGED BY THE MURDER. Where two persons have an interest in property and the interest of one of them is enlarged by his murder of the other, to the extent to which it is enlarged he holds it upon a constructive trust for the estate of the other. RESTATEMENT (FIRST) OF RESTITUTION, § 188 (1937). The Institute has also specifically addressed the application of this rule to a joint tenancy: In such a case if one of [the joint tenants] murders the other, the murderer takes by survivorship the whole legal interest in the property, but he can be compelled to hold the entire interest upon a constructive trust for the estate of his co-tenant, except that he is entitled to one-half [ [8] ] of the income for life. It is immaterial that each of them might have compelled a partition before the death of either. Id., cmt. (b) (emphasis added). The Institute has taken this position because, where it is doubtful whether or not [the murderer] would have had an interest if he had not committed the murder, the chances are resolved against him. Id. The Restatement approach is both sound and consistent with our statute. It places the murderer in a position equivalent to the one which he would have occupied if he had not committed the murder and if he had died first. During his lifetime, the murderer would have been entitled to his share of the income from the property, and that is what the Restatement rule permits him to receive. Upon his death, the entire property goes to the decedent's heirs. This disposition avoids the forfeiture which would be effected by the trial judge's order and which, in my opinion, precludes our affirmance of her decision. Moreover, contrary to my colleagues' view, the Restatement approach does not amount... to a forfeiture, for it leaves Gallimore precisely where he would have been if he had died first. The majority prefers to eschew the term `constructive trust' in the present context. Although this court continues to utilize this device in order to achieve the equitable resolution of problems similar to the one here presented, see, e.g., Gore v. Gore, 638 A.2d 672, 675-76 (D.C.1994), I can sympathize with my colleagues' criticism of anachronistic terminology. See Op. at 1210 note 13. In any event, I am not concerned with labels, for What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name will smell as sweet. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Romeo and Juliet, Act II, sc. 2. The important point, to me, is the result  Gallimore should receive an appropriate share of the income from the property during his lifetime, and thereafter the entire property should pass to Ms. Washington's heirs.