Lex loci rei sit ' (the law of the place where the thing is situate). It is sometimes also called lex situs. As to real or immovable property, the general rule of the Common Law is, that the laws of the place where such property is situate exclusively govern in respect to the power to contract, the rights of the parties, the modes of transfer, and the solemnities which should accompany them, see Freke v. Lord Carbery, (1873) LR 16 Eq 461; Bank of Africa v. Cohen, (1909) 2 Ch 129. The title, therefore, to real property can be acquired, passed, and lost only according to the lex loci rei sit', Story's Confl. Of Laws, s. 424. See Westlake on Private International Law; Dicey's Conflict of Laws.
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