Mrs. Janet M. Lee and Charles McDowell Lee v. Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation

RIVES, Circuit Judge:

Here, of necessity, we must interpret and apply Alabama constitutional and statutory provisions relating to the validity of contracts with foreign corporations which have failed to qualify to do business in Alabama. 1

The Lees brought suit against Ne-koosa seeking a declaratory judgment that a lease made between the Lees, as Lessors, and Nekoosa’s predecessor in interest, Southern Land Timber and Pulp Company, as Lessee, is void. Most of the relevant facts were stipulated (App. pp. 113-126). Only those facts essential to an understanding of this opinion will be stated.

South…