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Stambovsky v. Ackley Case Brief
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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis
tl;dr: Buyer sought rescission of a house sale contract upon discovering its widely publicized haunted reputation, created by the seller. The court allowed rescission, carving an equitable exception to caveat emptor.
Legal Significance: This case established that a seller’s nondisclosure of a condition they created, which materially impairs value and is undiscoverable by the buyer, can justify rescission, even under caveat emptor.
Stambovsky v. Ackley Law School Study Guide
Use this case brief structure for your own legal analysis. Focus on the IRAC methodology to excel in law school exams and cold calls.
Case Facts & Court Holding
Key Facts & Case Background
Plaintiff Jeffrey Stambovsky contracted to purchase a house in Nyack, New York, from defendant Helen Ackley. After signing the contract and making a down payment, Stambovsky, a New York City resident, discovered the house had a local and national reputation for being possessed by poltergeists. This reputation was actively fostered by Ackley, who had reported spectral apparitions to Reader’s Digest and local newspapers over several years. The house was even featured on a local haunted house tour. Stambovsky, unaware of this folklore, argued he would not have entered the contract had he known. He asserted the reputation significantly impaired the property’s value and resale potential. The trial court dismissed his complaint seeking rescission, adhering to the traditional rule of caveat emptor. Stambovsky appealed, seeking equitable relief.
Court Holding & Legal Precedent
Issue: Does a seller’s nondisclosure of a property’s haunted reputation, a condition the seller created and publicized which materially impairs the property’s value and is unlikely to be discovered by a prudent buyer, constitute a basis for equitable rescission of the real estate contract?
Yes, the buyer may seek rescission. The court held that because the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur
IRAC Legal Analysis
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IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.
Legal Issue
Does a seller’s nondisclosure of a property’s haunted reputation, a condition the seller created and publicized which materially impairs the property’s value and is unlikely to be discovered by a prudent buyer, constitute a basis for equitable rescission of the real estate contract?
Conclusion
Stambovsky v. Ackley carves out a memorable, fact-specific equitable exception to the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex
Legal Rule
While New York adheres to the doctrine of caveat emptor in real Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur ad
Legal Analysis
The Appellate Division reversed the trial court's dismissal, creating a narrow equitable Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culp
Flash-to-Full Case Opinions
Flash Summary
- A buyer may seek the equitable remedy of rescission when a