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When who stopped loving who first is lost to the antiquities of time, for modern lovers there is still the trust to keep them shackled together. And what a shackle, and what expense… Whittle v Whittle is another tale of love lost but the Trust, if not the trust, remaining. In this case the pesky … Continue reading
A bare trust is a trust where the trustee’s only duties are to hold the trust property, take reasonable care of it; and transfer the property to or as directed by the trust’s beneficiary. The duties of a bare trustee are passive (unlike the “normal” position where trustees have positive duties to manage and exercise their … Continue reading
The following article by Michael Parker, Andrew O’Bryan, Frank Hinoporos, Emma Woolley and William Moore from Hall & Wilcox highlights the importance of knowing who the trustees and beneficiaries of Australian trusts are. While the duty applies in an Australian context it can have relevance to New Zealanders who may be looking at purchasing real estate … Continue reading
The role of executor of an estate and the on-going responsibilities and obligations are not always well understood. Where there is a legal advisor the executor may be well schooled in the relevant obligations and the administration of the estate can be expected to proceed in a timely and proper manner. However, sometimes this is not … Continue reading
The decision in Adlam v Savage, which relates to a breach do trust is a hard read. However, it is worth persevering to appreciate the practical issues associated with the remedies available when a trustee profits from a trust or fiduciary relationship. In Adlam v Savage Ms Adlam received over $14 million from exploiting knowledge … Continue reading
… when first we practice to deceive. The case of Marr v Parkin demonstrates the need sometimes to differentiate between transaction risk and expectation and the rights that might flow from the latter. The facts of the case are relatively straight-forward. Ms Marr’s home was subject to a mortgagee sale. She wished to retain the … Continue reading
Testamentary capacity is relatively well traversed and understood and the principles set out in Banks v Goodfellow (1870) LR 5 QB 549, which has endured the passage of time, remain the leading authority on testamentary capacity. The following statement from p. 567 of that judgment succinctly observes the elements of testamentary capacity: “As to the … Continue reading
It’s a tricky road being a beneficiary. All these rights – but how to enforce them? What if you are a beneficiary, or you might be – and you want to see the documents that as a beneficiary, you have a right to? How can you compel the trustees to confirm whether you are a beneficiary? The … Continue reading
The terms minute and resolution are often used interchangeably and it is common for a trustee resolution to be only treated as final once signed – but is this correct? What is a resolution? A record of a decision or is the resolution the decision? I have previously considered whether a resolution requires that there be … Continue reading
A new “Trusts Reference Group” has been established by Minister of Justice Amy Adams to help update and improve the law governing private trusts. Ms Adams has stated that in a media release made on 29 May 2015 that “it’s important that trust law is fit for purpose and does not create unnecessary costs.” The Trusts Reference Group … Continue reading
Matters of Trust 