Continue reading "Trust Protectors: Obligation to indemnify?"
Trust Protectors: Obligation to indemnify?

Mr French (F) was either a protector or member of the committee of trust protectors of each of nine trusts governed by the law of the Isle of Man. The trusts were set up with one or other of two American brothers and their families as beneficiaries in various combinations. Trusts set up in 1992 contained a clause (clause 8.7) ‘the trustee may grant an indemnity out of the trust fund to any committee member or to such delegatee upon such terms as the trustee may think fit.’ while those set up in 1994/1995 provided in sch 4, para (8) (b) that:
‘E...
Continue reading "Trust Protectors: Obligation to indemnify?"
The four claimants were professional trustees of a total of nine trusts, all governed under Isle of Man law. Some of nine trusts were created for the benefit of Samuel Wyly and his immediate family and the remainder for his brother Charles Wyly and his immediate family.
Michael French, the defendant, was either a protector or a member of the committee of trust protectors for each trust. He retired from all these positions in December 2000.
Proceedings had been brought against Mr French and the Wyly brothers in New York by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC...