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The way many New Zealanders manage their assets is set to change dramatically. Reforms to the laws governing trusts in New Zealand, due to come into force on 30 January 2021, are expected to trigger a massive reduction in the number of trusts. The Ministry of Justice estimates there are currently between 300,000 and 500,000 … 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
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
The Justice Select Committee has reported back to Parliament (following two time extensions). The recommended amendments to the Bill are largely minor in effect, dealing with definitions or clarification of proposed provisions, although there are adjustments to maximum duration periods for resettlements and the addition of a “guiding principle” for trust duties. Key points are: … Continue reading
Editor’s note: this decision has been appealed. See First up, best dressed. As noted in Representation of Rawlinson & Hunter SA re Z Trusts at decision of the Royal Court of Jersey at [2] a trustee’s equitable lien is a “device of equity granted to trustees by the Court to give them rights of indemnity and priority … Continue reading
Trustees fall out, sometimes to the point where a working relationship is no longer possible. Applications to remove trustees are becoming an increasingly common occurrence. So, should trustees fight attempts to remove them? When is it appropriate to do so, and when not? And what are the potential consequences of misjudged opposition? The recent decision … Continue reading
The date by which the Trusts Bill is to be reported to the House by the Justice Committee has been extended a second time, now to 1 October 2018. References: Business of Select Committees — Reporting Dates
Trusts are a common form of asset ownership. However, the rights and obligations associated with trusts, and even simple matters such as contracting with trusts are not always well understood. Vicki Ammundsen will present a webinar on trust fundamentals on 14 February 2018 at 10.30am. The webinar will take a case study approach to explore … Continue reading
The Trusts Bill, which was introduced on 1 August 2017, and which represents that first major change to trust law legislation in New Zealand for over 60 years, had its first reading in Parliament on 6 December 2017. See Trusts Bill Released 1 August 2017 and Trusts Bill Receives First Reading Also see the First Reading. The bill … Continue reading
Matters of Trust 