Power of consular officers in relation to property of deceased persons in Belize

Diplomatic Privileges and Consular Conventions “consular office” means any building or part of a building which is exclusively occupied for the purpose of the official business of a consular officer. property of de- creased persons 10.-(1) Where any person who is a national of a State to which this section applies is named as executor in the will of a deceased person disposing of property in Belize, or is otherwise a person to whom a grant of representation to the estate in Belize of a deceased person may be made, then if the court is satisfied, on application of a consular officer of the said State, that the said national is not resident in Belize, and if no application for a grant of such representation is made by a person duly authorised by power of attorney to act for him in that behalf, the court shall make to that officer any such grant of representation to the estate of the deceased as would be made to him if he were so authorised as aforesaid. (2) Where any person who is a national of a State to which this section applies, (a) is entitled to any money or other property in Belize forming part of the estate of a deceased person, or to receive payment in Belize of any money becoming due on the death of a deceased person; or (b) is among the persons to whom any money or other property of a deceased person may under any Act, whether passed before or after the commencement of this Act, be paid or delivered without grant of probate or other proof of title, then if the said national is not resident in Belize a consular officer of that state shall have the like right and power to receive and give a valid discharge of any such money or property as if he were duly Diplomatic Privileges and Consular Conventions 11 authorised by power of attorney to act for him in that behalf, Provided that no person shall be authorised or required by this subsection to pay or deliver any money or property to a consular officer if it is within his knowledge that any other person in Belize has been expressly authorised to receive the money or property on behalf of the said national. (3) Notwithstanding any rule of law or practice applicable to Belize providing that in the case of a minority or life interest administration, must be granted either to a trust corporation or to not less than two individuals, or that additional personal representatives must be appointed in the case of a minority or a life interest, administration of an estate may in any case be granted by virtue of this section to a consular officer alone. (4) Notwithstanding section 14 of the Administration of Estates Act, Cap. 197, sureties shall not be required to an administration bond given by a consular officer upon the grant of administration by virtue of this section.