McLauglin v McLauglin relates to claims regarding the management of a family trust and the cost consequences of the proceeds, which are significant. The background of the matter is summarised by French J, who delivered the Court of Appeal’s decision as follows: The trust that is the subject of these proceedings, the Ashely Trust (the … 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
The introduction to the interim judgment in Jin v Luo at [3] sets the scene for the 489 paragraph judgment as follows: By way of background Jin v Luo relates to a break down in a business relationship that was complicated by the lack of documentation regarding the purchase of a number of properties. The … Continue reading
Dewart v Lal relates to an application for summary judgment to set aside a trustee resolution removing and appointing trustees of the Sanatan Dharam Trust (the Trust), a registered charity. The decision is fact specific, but nevertheless provides excellent guidance regarding the interpretation of powers of appointment and removal. When interpreting a trust deed, as … Continue reading
Testamentary trusts are not uncommon. However, trusts deriving from wills are not generally drafted in “conventional” form. This practical reality can lead to unintended administrative hurdles. Re McKay addresses this from a practical construct. By way of background, as noted at [2]: As set out at [9]: It is suggested that the reasoning of the … Continue reading
Jones v Jones relates to matters in dispute regarding the estate of Basil Jones, in the context of a blended family. The executors of Basil Jones’ will are his surviving wife Laurel and his children from a previous relationship. Laurel made an election to pursue a claim against Basil’s estate pursuant to the Property (Relationships) … 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
The Government has announced its intention to align the trustee tax rate with the 39% top personal rate effective 1 April 2024. A limited exemption is proposed for deceased estates. The following commentary from the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill also explains the proposed exemption for trusts settled for … Continue reading
Connolly v Eckhout traverses the application of the little known Imprisonment for Debt Limitation Act 1908 to a person acting in a fiduciary capacity. By way of background: … Ms Eckhout did not pay the judgment sum. The High Court has limited powers to issue an arrest order where requirements that are largely drawn from … Continue reading
Cooper v Pinney is a second appeal and cross-appeal, by leave, from a decision of the Family Court that ascertained relationship and separate property following a relationship break down. At the heart of the matter was the treatment of a discretionary trust settled during the relationship to receive property by way of resettlement from a … Continue reading