Stephen v. Hettiarachchi and Another – sllr 2002 volume 3 page 039

In the case between Stephen (Plaintiff) and Hettiarachchi and Another (Defendants), the court addressed the issue of whether a deed of gift executed in anticipation of marriage, containing an express reservation of the right of revocation by the donor, is contrary to public policy and the principle of contra bonos mores. It was held that such a reservation of revocation in a donatio propter nuptias does not violate public policy or accepted legal norms when explicitly expressed in the deed. Reliance was placed on established case law affirming the legal permissibility of reserving such rights, emphasizing that the presence of a revocation clause does not, in itself, render the deed void. The decision set aside the district court’s declaration of invalidity and directed further proceedings