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Variation

This category contains 34 posts

Another mysteriously short trust period

In Re Arcus the Court consents to a variation of trust on behalf of minor beneficiaries. The trust in question had a maximum duration of 50 years. No reason was given for this. The trustees were of the view that as the trust had been successful and accrued a significant body of of assets and … Continue reading

Who to benefit?

Vincent v Vincent Family corproate Trust Limited concerns a dispute regarding who should benefit from two family trusts in circumstances where the Court is asked whether whether whāngai children shoud be included in the class of grandchildren. As noted at [7] to [10]: [7] The Trusts distinguish between income and capital beneficiaries. Only capital beneficiaries share … Continue reading

Termination of testamentary trust

Testamentary trusts arise in many circumstances and for many reasons. In Castle Trustees Limited the deceased provided for the residue of his estate to provide income for his children throughout their lives with a 1/4 share of the total residuary estate being distributed in equal shares to the grandchildren following the death of each child. … Continue reading

“Keeping” the trust

“Retaining” the trust when a relationship ends is often not as straight-forward as the relevant parties might consider. This is highlighted in Collinson v Collinson & Co Limited where orders were sought for variation to a trust to allow the inclusion of one the settlor’s child and a any future children with his new party. … Continue reading

Spirit of will not binding on trustees

Sherwin v JKA Holdings Limited & Ors relates to the Douglas Hilton Family Trust (the Trust), which was settled in 1985 by Dr Douglas Sherwin’s mother on terms that infer that Dr Sherwin, who was the source of the trust’s economic wealth, was the true settlor. This is addressed by Becroft J at [15] as … Continue reading

Speculative and ill-defined

Middlemiss v Fidelis Trust Limited relates to an application for variation of a trust with a very limited class of beneficiaries including potential charities pursuant to a clause that what was described by Venning J as “speculative and ill-defined” with respect to the nature of any charitable beneficiaries. The relevant background is set out at … Continue reading

Waiver and variation under the Trusts Act and the inherent jurisdiction

Re Candida Trust provides practical guidance as to the scope of section 125 of the Trusts Act 2019 and the use of the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction to permit trustees to sign a new restated trust deed that incorporates varied terms. Background facts Waiver pursuant to section 125 of the Trusts Act As set out … Continue reading

Rational

Wallace v Wallace relates to a decision of the trustees of the Ione Wallace Trust (the Trust) to bring forward the Trust’s vesting date. As set out at [4]: “The trustees wish to bring forward the vesting date and distribute the funds they currently hold to the six final beneficiaries named in the Trust. One … Continue reading

Premature Vesting

Re Peers relates to a trust with a 32 year vesting date that is now somewhat inconvenient due to the nature of the trust’s assets and a tax liability that will be incurred on the vesting day. The solution proposed was an amendment to the vesting date. Osborne J saw no detriment on behalf of … Continue reading

Variation or scheme?

If the terms of a charitable trust whose purposes have become frustrated contain a power of variation the trustees are confronted with whether to vary pursuant to the terms or to seek approval for a scheme under Part 3 of the Charitable Trusts Act 1957. In Re Trevor Wilson Trustee Limited [2022] NZHC 2118 Dunningham … Continue reading

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