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Case Summary
Sanchez v. Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
Sanchez v. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology, No. 04-cv-1253 (JSR), (S.D.N.Y. 2004), (denying motion to transfer case to state court), sub nom. Sanchez v. Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, No. 04-cv-1253 (JSR), (S.D.N.Y. 2005)
Précis
The heirs of a Colombian citizen made an ownership claim against a university museum for pre-Columbian gold artifacts formerly in their family’s collection. The museum fought the claim and won a motion of
summary judgment
A judgment granted on a claim or defense about which there is no genuine issue of material fact and upon which the movant is entitled to prevail as a matter of law. The court considers the contents of the pleadings, the motions, and additional evidence adduced by the parties to determine whether there is a genuine issue of material fact rather than one of law. This procedural device allows the speedy disposition of a controversy without the need for trial (Black’s Law Dictionary (8th ed. 2004)).
summary judgment based on the doctrine of
laches
Unreasonable delay in pursuing a right or claim, almost always an equitable one, in a way that prejudices the party against whom relief is sought (Black’s Law Dictionary (8th ed. 2004)).
laches.
Associated Legal Decision(s)
Associated Statutes and/or Legislation
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