Scheme or Victim? Tyumen Woman Loses Land Sale Court Case
A woman from Tyumen, Alena (name changed for privacy), filed a lawsuit to invalidate the contract for the sale of a land plot. She had previously sold it to her cohabitor, Alexei. The woman claimed that she sold the land under threat and did not even receive the owed money. Here is what the court decided.
Seller«s Version
Alena claimed that in 2023, under pressure, she signed the contract for the sale of the land plot. She allegedly suffered psychological abuse from her cohabitor. He threatened her, demanded to transfer the plot and the house, built with her money, and stated that the amount of 600,000 rubles (approximately $6,500 at current rates) specified in the contract did not match the actual value of the property and was not paid. The actual value of the plot is 900,000 rubles (approximately $9,800 at current rates).
Buyer«s Version
Alexei, however, asserted that Alena entered into the deal voluntarily, and all documents were properly executed. The man fully paid for the house and plot, providing a loan agreement and a receipt for the money as evidence. After the purchase, he continued to finish building the house and improve the plot, which proves his genuine intentions.
Court«s Decision
The court of first instance rejected Alena«s claim, and she filed an appeal. After reviewing the materials, the appellate panel concluded that the arguments about the sham or fictitious nature of the transaction were not substantiated. The court found that the defendant, after registering ownership, continued construction of the house and managed the property, which indicates the reality of the deal.
Claims about the transaction being oppressive were also dismissed. The court noted that the difference between the purchase price (900,000 rubles, approximately $9,800) and the sale price (600,000 rubles, approximately $6,500) of the plot is not significant enough to deem the terms «extremely unfavorable.» It was also not proven that the plaintiff was in a difficult situation that the defendant took advantage of.
Allegations of mistake, deceit, threats, or violence at the time of the transaction were not supported by evidence. The court pointed out that the plaintiff only went to the police in August 2024, more than a year later.
As a result, the court dismissed Alena«s lawsuit, leaving the ownership of the disputed plot with her former cohabitor.
If you enjoy unusual court disputes and rulings, check out our other stories in the section «Who is Right?».
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