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
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
Booth and Magniness v Rahal relates to a successful application for the appointment of a receiver to the First Trust (the Trust). The Trust’s original trustee was First Trust Limited (the Company). The background is set out by Gault J at [3] to [9] as follows: [3] On 28 April 2017, the Company was incorporated. … 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
The key facts of Tata v Abrams are set out in [2] of the judgment as follows: … Donna and Reginald’s mother, Violet Tata (Violet), passed away on 19 March 2008. Donna was one of two executors appointed under Violet’s Will. The other executor, Ms Judy Kaka, passed away in 2016. Donna assumed responsibility for … Continue reading
Ryan v Lobb relates to the interpretation of a resettlement clause contained in the deed of trust for the Lothbury Trust (the Trust) that expressly provided for a resettlement on written notice in the event that the Settlors separated, or their marriage was legally dissolved. Such notice was given by Ms Ryan in 2017 following … Continue reading
Principles of tikanga and trust law are both inextricably linked with land ownership and benefit from land ownership. That said, care is required when equating tikanga principles with a generic concept of Pākehā law. Doney v Adlam provides a practical example of the tensions between Pākehā law and tikanga principles. The background to this case … Continue reading
Grammarist states that “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” means that it is not enough to simply mean to do well, one must take action to do well. A good intention is meaningless unless it is followed by a good action. It would be difficult to find a more comparable case as an example … Continue reading
In the matter of The Piedmont Trust and the Riviera Trust relates to an application for the Jersey Royal Court to approve the final distribution of trust assets in circumstances where the beneficiaries are in agreement regarding the termination of the trusts (but where there is disagreement regarding the allocation of the trust assets between … Continue reading
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