Bundz v Anderson is a costs decision of Associate Judge Lester. The background of the matter, relates to a claim that was brought pursuant to the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction relating to an error made by one trustee of the LC Craighead Family Trust (the Trust), who mistakenly believed that a property in Timaru (the … Continue reading
“Retaining” the trust when a relationship ends is often not as straight-forward as the relevant parties might consider. This is highlighted in Collinson v Collinson & Co Limited where orders were sought for variation to a trust to allow the inclusion of one the settlor’s child and a any future children with his new party. … Continue reading
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
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
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
Phillips v Heremaia relates to two sisters engaged in litigation with respect to their father’s estate. Although the matter settled at a judicial settlement conference not agreement was reached with respect to costs, which are the subject of this judgment. The following at [3] and [4] sets the tone for the decision: Rule 15.23 of the … Continue reading
In Jongeneel v Schaake Powell J traverses the parameters of deadlock that would support the Court exercising powers to remove existing trustees and appoint a replacement trustee pursuant to sections 112 and 114 of the Trusts Act 2019, By way of background Ms Jongeneel and Mr Schaake settled the J A G and A J … Continue reading
The Trusts Act 2019 introduced a presumption that trustees will provide basic trust information to every beneficiary and will provide further information on request. Before doing so, trustees must consider the factors set out in section 53 of the Trusts Act. Importantly, there is a procedure in section 54 of the Trusts Act where no … Continue reading
Kain v Public Trust relates to an application for disclosure of a deed that brought forward the distribution date of the Te Mata Property Trust (the Trust). This deed distributed the entirety of the Trust’s assets and had the effect of terminating certain beneficial interests. The background of the matter is set out in [4] … Continue reading
It is not uncommon for will-makers to specify the age at which beneficiaries are to benefit. The question is, if the beneficiaries have capacity, must they wait? Telford v Telford answers this question by reference to the rule in Saunders v Vautier, and more latterly section 121 of the Trusts Act 2019. By way of … Continue reading