//
archives

Trusts

This category contains 273 posts

Let the children be heard

Trusts and relationships can make for very poor bedfellows. The temptation to remove a former spouse or partner as trustee or beneficiary or to appoint or remove a professional presumed to favour one side over the other (whether or not this is the case) can be tempting. Similarly fraught can be involving children in the … Continue reading

After the horse has bolted

Moon v Lafferty is an unsuccessful claim for discovery before commencement.  The background of the claim is a family estrangement.  The applicants’ mother settled a trust during her life and gifted $300,000 to that trust from a settlement of $388,871 the deceased received from litigation between her and her daughter Jessica (one of the applicants).  … Continue reading

Clearing the decks

Walker v Walker is one of many cases that finds itself before the courts requiring assistance with the appointment, retirement or removal of trustees as a result of trustee incapacity. However, one aspect of the case that warrants further interest is the “possibility that former trustees have technically remained trustees because they were not properly … Continue reading

Disputatious, unreasonable and uncooperative

MacIntosh v Thomas relates to the administration of an estate where there has been considerable disharmony between the beneficiaries and the trustees in circumstances where the court has acknowledged that the trustees have displayed “displayed considerable patience, forbearance and professionalism in dealing with the behaviour of the [beneficiaries] …” The decision is largely fact-specific.  However, usefully … Continue reading

Pick your battles

In Butterfield v Sundberg the applicant seeks directions under s 66 of the Trustee Act 1956 to be commenced by way of originating application pursuant to Part 19 of the High Court Rules to allow the final distribution of the trust estate’s modest assets.  The grounds for the application are set out at [15] as follows: … Continue reading

Bye bye beneficiary?

Given the new presumption in the Trusts Act 2019 that, with effect from 30 January 2021, trustees will give basic trust information to every beneficiary, it can be presumed that many trustees will be looking to cull trust beneficiaries to ensure trusts comply with the settlor or settlors’ intentions, whether or not these are expressed … Continue reading

Play nice

Geneva Trust Company v Tchenguiz is one of many judgments of the Jersey Royal Court that relate to the Tchenguiz Trusts.  In this case the Geneva Trust Company (Geneva) sought reimbursement of costs it incurred defending proceedings brought against it in the English High  Court.  A brief history of the matter is set out in the … Continue reading

No good deed goes unpunished

Daisley v Ark Contractors Limited relates to a commercial venture that came into fruition over a decade ago.   The venture involved transfer of properties owned by the first (Daisley) and second (SDD Limited) plaintiffs, which were about to be sold at mortgagee auction. The Kellers (the second defendants) contributed capital  and setting up the first … Continue reading

Can’t see it , can’t touch it, can’t explain it

But it is still property! The High Court decision in Ruscoe v Cryptopia Limited (In Liquidation) concerning an application for directions by the liquidators of a cryptocurrency trading exchange online platform, builds on concepts of property explored in Clayton v Clayton. By way of background, Cryptopia Limited (Cryptopia) was placed in liquidation in May 2019 by its … Continue reading

Whose advice is it?

The Supreme Court decision granting leave to appeal the Court of Appeal decision regarding the disclosure of legal opinions and advice obtained by the trustees in Addleman v Lambie Trustee Limited (see Rights in information prevail) raises the thorny question, regarding how advice belongs to, or must be disclosed to, when legal advice is sought … Continue reading

Categories

Archives