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King v. Boston University: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Case Brief
{{Infobox Case Brief
|court=Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
|court=Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
|date=April 12, 1995
|date=1995-4-12
|subject=Contracts/Outline
|subject=Contracts
|case_treatment=No
|facts=In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968) sent his collected papers to [https://www.bu.edu/ Boston University].
|facts=In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968) sent his collected papers to [https://www.bu.edu/ Boston University].


Mrs. King, his widow, tried to get the King papers back after his death.
Mrs. King, his widow, tried to get the King papers back after his death.
|procedural_history=In 1987, Mrs. King sued Boston University ("BU") for [https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/conversion conversion]. She claimed that the King estate held title to the papers. Mrs. King loses.
|procedural_history=In 1987, Mrs. King sued Boston University ("BU") for [https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/conversion conversion]. She claimed that the King estate held title to the papers. Mrs. King loses.
|issues=Can a charitable pledge be enforceable if a party promises to give property to a charitable institution & there is consideration (or reliance) on that promise?
|arguments=Mrs King argued that the 1964 King letter isn't a sufficient promise to establish a charitable pledge.
|arguments=Mrs King argued that the 1964 King letter isn't a sufficient promise to establish a charitable pledge.
|holding=Yes. If there is evidence of both donative intent & consideration (or reliance) on that promise, a charitable pledge can be enforceable.
|reasons=Being accepting and caring for King's '''bailed''' papers, BU assumed the duty of care as bailee.
|rule=A '''bailment''' is the transfer of property from 1 party to another in accordance with (IAW) the 1st party's direction.
|case_text_links={{Infobox Case Brief/Case Text Link
|case_text_links={{Infobox Case Brief/Case Text Link
|link=https://www.quimbee.com/cases/king-v-trustees-of-boston-university
|link=https://www.quimbee.com/cases/king-v-trustees-of-boston-university
|case_text_source=Quimbee video summary
|source_type=Video summary
|case_text_source=Quimbee
}}{{Infobox Case Brief/Case Text Link
}}{{Infobox Case Brief/Case Text Link
|link=https://casetext.com/case/king-v-trustees-of-boston-university
|link=https://casetext.com/case/king-v-trustees-of-boston-university

Latest revision as of 03:41, July 14, 2023

King v. Boston University
Court Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Citation
Date decided 1995-4-12

Facts

In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968) sent his collected papers to Boston University.

Mrs. King, his widow, tried to get the King papers back after his death.

Procedural History

In 1987, Mrs. King sued Boston University ("BU") for conversion. She claimed that the King estate held title to the papers. Mrs. King loses.

Issues

Can a charitable pledge be enforceable if a party promises to give property to a charitable institution & there is consideration (or reliance) on that promise?

Arguments

Mrs King argued that the 1964 King letter isn't a sufficient promise to establish a charitable pledge.

Holding

Yes. If there is evidence of both donative intent & consideration (or reliance) on that promise, a charitable pledge can be enforceable.

Reasons

Being accepting and caring for King's bailed papers, BU assumed the duty of care as bailee.

Rule

A bailment is the transfer of property from 1 party to another in accordance with (IAW) the 1st party's direction.

Case Text Links