Is a beneficiary more entitled to trust information pursuant to an application for discovery, rather than pursuant to a an application for disclosure? As a basic principle, courts do not permit discovery as a “fishing expedition.” However, as noted in Gavin v Powell at [41] “… the trustees’ obligations as to disclosure and a beneficiary’s right … Continue reading
The case of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints Trust Board v CIR considers whether donations made in connection with a missionary application are charitable gifts for the purposes of s LD1 of the Income Tax Act 2007. The crux of the matter for consideration is whether gifts made by church members … Continue reading
It can be necessary to change trustees for many reasons. Regardless of the circumstances that require a change of trustee, the decision as to appropriate trustees can be complicated and requires a careful balancing of a range of considerations. The interim judgment in Thomson v Riley provides a useful insight into how a court balances … Continue reading
McLaughlin v McLaughlin relates to an application for a Beddoe Order by the trustee (Glasgow Harley Trustee Limited (Glasgow Harley) of the Ashley Trust (the Trust). Two beneficiaries of the Trust seek the removal of Glasgow Harley who they are also suing for breaches of trust. Glasgow Harley denies any wrong doing and seeks a … Continue reading
Until his removal in 2014 Toni Waho was a trustee of the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust (the Trust), a trust that promotes the use and retention of Te Reo. Me Waho was removed as a trustee on grounds that he had brought the Trust into disrepute by raising matters relating to the Trust and its … Continue reading
In the Matter of the Representation of Scarlett Investment Holdings Limited addresses an application for rectification by a de facto trustee in circumstances where the settlor of three trusts settled by declarations of trust dated 23 February 1982 had died and the original trustee, a BVI private company was believed to have been struck off from … Continue reading
In Little v Howick Trustee DL Limited a beneficiary sought a review of trustee decisions and the removal of a court appointed trustee. Perhaps surprisingly, considering the position taken in the Law Commission’s draft Trusts Bill and the Trusts Bill currently before Parliament regarding beneficiary rights, Brewer J found that a discretionary beneficiary had no standing to seek a … Continue reading
A Beddoe order (the name derives from the case Re Beddoe (Downes v Cottam)) is an order made by the court that permits trustees to incur expense on behalf of the trust filing or defending proceedings. A Beddoe order (if obtained) protects the trustees against claims by the beneficiaries that the action should not have been brought … Continue reading
Orders removing trustees and appointing replacement trustees are not uncommon. Such orders can be required in circumstances including incapacity, absence, deadlock or because it is expedient in the administration of the trust for a trustee to be removed and perhaps replaced. However, it is important to appreciate that whether a trustee is removed / appointed … Continue reading
Mr Pratley was a Court appointed executor and trustee of two estates. At the time of his appointment a 2-day hearing had already been set down to determine a claim against the prior executor and trustee. The time-line is as follows: Mr Pratley’s appointment as executor and trustee – 20 October 2015 21 October 2015 Mr … Continue reading
