In Godfrey v McCormick Nation J held that an attorney under an enduring power of attorney can not exercise powers of appointment even if held in a personal capacity. This is inconvenient where there is incapacity. While this will likely be addressed by the trustee appointment and removal provisions in the Trusts Act 2019 (following … Continue reading
Families are complicated. Family agreements and arrangements all the more so. Almond v Read highlights the consequences of family arrangements that are not recorded in writing. The background facts are not disputed. Ms Almond purchased land in Drury. Two dwellings were built on the Drury property (the Property), one was occupied by Ms Almond and … Continue reading
Representation of the Rawlinson & Hunter Trusts SA re Z Trusts relates to appeals against three judgments of the Jersey Royal Court regarding the equitable rights of a former trustee and whether those rights take priority over the rights of other claimants to the assets of a trust whose liabilities exceed its assets, in other words, … Continue reading
Jellyman v Jellyman is about two children with different views as to what is in their mother’s best interests. The matter came before the court because Mrs Jellyman was a trustee of a testamentary trust under her late husband’s will. Her son Maurice was the other trustee. Mrs Jellyman wanted to sell her home in Hastings … Continue reading
Triezenberg v Mason (As to power and appointment and costs) follows the earlier trustee removal decision. See Buyer’s remorse. By way of background the High Court removed Mr Mason and his incapacitated wife as trustees of two family trusts. A rift had occurred between the competent trustees that had resulted in significant dysfunction. No orders … Continue reading
CDT 12 Limited v Millar doesn’t answer the Jasmine question, but does raise considerable doubt as to whether Jasmine applies in New Zealand. For the background to the “Jasmine” issue, see Two trustees go down to the woods … one is discharged, one is not and Exit stage left. Mallon J’s decision on the papers in … Continue reading
Oldfield v Oldfield relates to the trust consequences of a marriage breakup. Specifically, who should be the trustees when the settlors, who are also trustees, can no longer work together. Mrs Oldfield wishes to see Mr Oldfield removed as a trustee. Mr Oldfield’s view is that it is not appropriate to replace the trustees, rather the … Continue reading
The rule in Saunders v Vautier is generally well understood. However, the parameters of the rule are less clear. As noted in the Law Commission’s Third Issues Paper on the Review of the Law of Trusts “Perpetuities and the Revocation and Variation of Trusts”: The scope of the rule has become wider than merely allowing a … Continue reading
Central to the dispute in Roblin v Roblin is two brothers forced into co-trusteeship and co-ownership due to their joint appointment as executors and trustees of their mother’s estate. The main asset of the estate is a property lived in by one brother and a number of unrelated parties, the terms of whose tenure was … Continue reading
Trusts can seem like a great idea. And then one day a settlor can be confronted with the reality of the loss of control and cast around for someone to blame. In addressing the realities of trust ownership, the exercise of powers of removal and appointment can offer a solution to issues with the dynamics between … Continue reading
