Grey v IRC [1958] Ch 375; [1960] AC 1

Trusts: Sub-trusts and formality

Is a sub-trust a disposition for the purposes of s53(1)(c) of the Law of Property Act 1925? Mark Pawlowski and James Brown assess the current position ‘When an intermediate trustee makes a declaration of trust of their equitable interest, they do not deprive themselves of that interest but simply create a second equitable interest held …

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Trusts: Anything to declare?

Sheffield v Sheffield clarifies liability for historic breaches of trust. Douglas Rhodes explains ‘There could be no real doubt that the true effect of the 1983 declaration was deliberately concealed from the claimant, as the true effect of the declaration was never explained to him.’ At its core, the facts of Sheffield v Sheffield [2014] …

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Sheffield v Sheffield & ors [2013] EWHC 3927 (Ch)

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | July/August 2014 #141

John Vincent Sheffield (JVS) and his wife Ann Sheffield bought 1,000 acres of land in Hampshire in 1968 as tenants in common, with JVS owning 25% and Ann 75% (the 1968 settlement). The land included two farms, numerous residential properties and some shooting rights over adjoining land. Ann died in 1969 and left JVS a life interest in her estate and thereafter to their son Julian. In 1971 JVS married France (who predeceased him) and he lived on the estate until his death in May 2008.

In May 1976 JVS agreed a farming partnership of the farming land on the estate. JVS was entitled ...

AC v DC & ors [2012] EWHC 2032 (Fam)

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | June 2013 #130

Mostyn J granted an application by the applicant (W) to set aside transactions pursuant to s37(2) of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 that had been made by the first respondent (H) on about 2 December 2010 by which H disposed of his 86.4% shareholding in D Holdings Limited (DH). None of the respondents opposed the application. There was an issue whether or not the effect of the order operated retrospectively for all purposes, including fiscal purposes. Judgment was reserved and further written submissions were invited to determine whether the order setting aside the transact...

Trusts And Property: Declarations of trust in the family home

Mark Pawlowski considers the Court of Appeal’s decision in Pankhania v Chandegra, which discusses whether express declarations of trust are conclusive The Law Commission endorsed the conclusive nature of the declaration of trust in the context of transfers of title to joint owners, stating that, ‘it is essential that courts strictly enforce declarations of trust …

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Trusts And Property: Declarations of trust in the family home

Mark Pawlowski considers the Court of Appeal’s decision in Pankhania v Chandegra, which discusses whether express declarations of trust are conclusive An express trust may only be challenged on specific grounds that permit rescission or rectification of the formal document. It is accepted as established law that, where the parties execute a trust expressly declaring …

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Drakeford v Cotton & anr [2012] EWHC 1414 (Ch)

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | September 2012 #122

Ernest Cotton (Mr Cotton) and Mary Cotton (Mrs Cotton) won about £107,000 on the National Lottery and made mirror image wills on 16 May 1997 that provided for the survivor to take the entire estate of the first to die and, on the death of the survivor, for it to pass equally to their three children, who were the claimant and defendants. When Mr Cotton died on 7 February 2008 there were two jointly-held accounts (respectively a deposit and current account) with the Coventry Building Society containing £49,186.98 and £2,622.08 (Accounts). Both were thenceforth owned legally and beneficiall...