Happy Halloween!

 In anticipation of Halloween, the Library will highlight some relevant legal materials, both at home and around the world, in no particular order.

1. Papua New Guinea's Sorcery Act 1971 aims "to prevent and punish evil practices of sorcery and other similar evil practices, and for other purposes relating to such practices." This statute addresses attempts to commit sorcery, false reports of sorcery, and providing sorcerous substances. It even deals with defenses arising out of acts of sorcery and evidence. Below is the link:

    Sorcery Act

2. Stambovsky v. Ackley (169 A.D.2d 254, 572 N.Y.S.2d 672, 1991)

This was a case heard by the NY Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department. In 1991, this case held that a house in Nyack was legally haunted for the purpose of a rescission action brought by the purchaser of the house. The case can be found on Lexis and Westlaw. It has been cited in both state and federal courts.

The opinion also references several popular books and movies including ghosts, such as the 1984 Ghostbusters and Shakespeare's Hamlet. It also employs supernatural idioms, including being moved by the spirit of equity and plaintiff hasn't got a ghost of a chance.

Realtor.com has a photo of the house.

 Haunted House

3. An ordinance passed by the city council of Beverly Hills, California, prohibits "the use of shaving cream, hair removal product, and aerosol string during Halloween" because these supplies frequently result in "acts of vandalism, property damage, conflicts and confrontation, potential safety hazards and injury." Below is the ordinance.

Beverly Hills Ordinance No. 23-O-2879

In addition, Belk Library possesses some nonlegal Halloween-related materials. Examples include A Hallowe'en Anthology: literary and historical writings over the centuries (by Lisa Morton, McFarland & Co., 2008); Scary, scary Halloween (by Eve Bunting, Clarion Books, 1986); and the musical score Tim Burton's the nightmare before Christmas (by Danny Elfman and Tim Burton, Hal Leonard Corporation, 1993). You can access Belk with your Elon ID.