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vickiammundsen

vickiammundsen has written 716 posts for Matters of Trust

Fleshing out bare trusts

A bare trust arises where property is held by a person (the trustee) only for the purposes to hold until transferred in accordance with the beneficiary’s directions. Bare trusts can be a commercial convenience, but can also effect a remedy in circumstances when property might otherwise be lost due to the fungible nature of the … Continue reading

Family at war – but which war?

On 17 July 2016 the Sunday Star Times reported about a family at war over a mansion with an opening quote that read “Lawyers say the judiciary are increasingly overturning wills in family disputes.” The dispute ended up in the High Court, firstly regarding an application for the removal of the trustees and secondly a … Continue reading

Directors pinged trustees “safe”

However, as the directors and trustees are one and the same, perhaps a difficult pill to swallow nevertheless.  The case of Owens v Shaw is a little hard to make sense of given that the trustees of a trading trust, also traded through a company (on behalf of the trust) on account of one supplier who … Continue reading

Erceg leave to appeal allowed

The Supreme court has granted leave to appeal the Court of Appeal decision in Erceg v Erceg, see A step back for beneficiaries or a nil all draw? The approved question is “Should the conclusion that disclosure not be made/required be set-aside?” References: Erceg v Erceg [2016] NZSC 69  

Powers of attorney can bite

The facts of FAI Money Limited v Crawley, which traverses, amongst other things, whether a trustee can be liable for a debt incurred under a power of attorney, are set out in the High Court decision discussed in 1 of 2 Trustees Personally Liable. By way of brief recap: Edward Johnston’s brother Richard Johnston who is an accountant, … Continue reading

Relationship property review

The Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the Act) is now under review as part of a significant project that will involve consultation with the public and key stakeholders.  The outcome of the review is to be reported back the Minister of Justice in November 2018.  See Law Commission to review Property (Relationships) Act 1976. Not surprisingly … Continue reading

Disclosure creep

Trusts can be many things.  Well run trusts can provide long-term inter-generational asset protection.   When the pie does not get split on the death of each generation, there can be greater potential for  wealth generation.  Trusts are also generally very private.  Trust ownership is not noted on land titles or in the Companies Office. But will this … Continue reading

Can a non-fiduciary owe fiduciary obligations?

In the Matter of the Piedmont Trust and the Riviera Trust powers of appointment and who can exercise them are an important aspect of both the management of a trust, and the very terms on which a trust is settled.  It is now generally agreed that  whether the powers are held by a trustee or a … Continue reading

Panama Papers

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story. The Panama Papers story is big by any measure and there is information a plenty.  However, what is being said about New Zealand and suggestions of tax haven aspects to how trusts are taxed need to be considered alongside a good dose of … Continue reading

To be very clear

While foreign trusts are getting some headlines, it is useful to bring attention to a small amendment to the complying trust election regime where a trust can elect to be a complying trust. The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2015–16, Research and Development, and Remedial Matters) Act 2016 has amended ss HC 10 and HC 33 … Continue reading

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