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Discretionary

This category contains 16 posts

Apparently conflicting prior trustee resolutions

The background to Guy v Guy is an application for an interim injunction in circumstances where: a caveat lodged on the title to a trust property was lapsed following receipt of an undertaking by the trustees to retain defined “net proceeds” from the sale of the property pending resolution of trust disputes subsequently the trustees … Continue reading →

Coercive arbitration orders in a trust proceeding

The Supreme Court has denied leave to appeal the Court of Appeal judgment in Gatfield v Hinton, that upheld a High Court decision ordering tethered mediation and arbitration. For background see May and New is not a reason not to. As noted by the Supreme Court at [9]: References Gatfield v Hinton [2026] NZSC 60 … Continue reading →

May?

The Court of Appeal decision in Gatfield v Hinton represents an important waypoint regarding the ADR provisions of the Trusts Act 2019. The decision traverses a range of matters including: whether ADR can be sought by way of an interlocutory application where there are existing proceedings on foot (the answer is yes) the authority of … Continue reading →

Qualitative vs Quantitative

V Trustees Limited (the Trustee) was concerned to protect the position of C who was the beneficiary of a trust much diminished due to the actions of her litigious brother, A, whose conduct had caused substantial losses with “no signs of the attacks abating.” The matter came before the Jersey Royal Court on an application … Continue reading →

It’s not easy being green

Kermit the frog sang “It’s not easy being green.” It’s not always that easy being a beneficiary either. The Sesame Workshop advises that the song is about “… knowing who you are, realizing your own worth and dignity, and becoming more content and comfortable within yourself.” Whether this will help any beneficiaries of discretionary trusts … Continue reading →

Is or is not

The question posed by the court in An application by Hoglie Trustees Limited as trustee of the Larry Robertson Family Trust was whether the Larry Robertson Family Trust (the Trust) was void from inception due to lack of certainty as to the Trust’s objects. Relevantly section 15 of the Trusts Act 2019 provide that: As … Continue reading →

How binding is a memorandum of wishes?

Rawson v Prescott, which relates to an unsuccessful application for summary judgment on a claim for vacant possession of trust property raises more questions than it answers. The key issue relates to whether trustees are bound to an agreement for the purposes of section 21 of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976, that the trustees were … Continue reading →

Beneficiary Hostility

In New Zealand Beddoe applications are governed in the first instance by the High Court Rules, which do not extend to prospective costs orders by beneficiaries. Representation of VG Trustee Limited re the B Trust (Re the B Trust) considers whether beneficiaries should have their costs met on account of a successful Beddoe application brought … Continue reading →

Redundant

A final beneficiary has a contingent proprietary right, the value of which (if any) can only be determined on the final vesting date.    While such a right can be treated as simply a right to receive trust assets on a final vesting, the status of having such a right can elevate the position of a … Continue reading →

Beddoes and beyond

By way of background in Vincent Family Corporate Trust Limited (as trustee of the ET and P Vincent Trusts) as noted by Van Bohemen J (above and below): In Vincent Family Corporate Trustee the parties were urged to find resolution. When this was not possible the court was required to determine matters. Helpfully, Van Bohemen … Continue reading →

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