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Astronomers ‘best mate’ disputes Will and claims the estate for himself

An astromer originally wrote his will with the intention to leave his £400,000 estate to the British Astronomical Association (BAA). However a month before his death he changed his will for the benefit of "his best mate".
 
Unfortunately he didn't stipulate who his best mate was. 
 
In 1980, Roy Panther, an amateur stargazer rose to fame after discovering a comet in the constellation Draco. The comet was subsequently named "Comet Panther" in his honour and he had a guest appearance on Sky at Night, hosted by Sir Patrick Moore. 

 

Consequently, after his death, the BAA and the person purported to be his best friend are locked in a court battle to confirm who will receive the funds. 

 

However, Alan Gibbs is fighting to prove that he is the rightful heir, contending that he was not named on the handwritten document because Mr Panther dictated it to him and it was written in a "colloquial" style.

 

At a short planning hearing the arbiter, Judge Alan Johns KC, allowed an application for medical evidence relating to Mr Panther's capacity to make a will at the time he was in hospital to be provided at the trial by the doctors.

 

The conflict between the BAA and Mr Gibbs will be heard at trial at Central London County Court.

 

 

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