Alienation pending a suit is void.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A transfer of property made while a lawsuit concerning that property is pending is void — the law prevents parties from defeating the court's jurisdiction by disposing of the subject matter during litigation.

Where this applies

• A homeowner who sells his house to a friend while a lawsuit over that house is pending finds the sale voided by the court.
• A company transfers a disputed patent to a subsidiary during litigation, and the court declares the transfer void because alienation during a pending suit is prohibited.
• A debtor who signs over his car title to a relative while being sued for a debt finds that the transfer is legally meaningless because property cannot be moved during active litigation.