Muckian & anr v Hoey & ors [2014] NICh 11

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | September 2014 #142

The deceased had died suddenly without making a will, with his wife, the first defendant, being appointed as the administratrix of his estate. Disagreement arose in relation to the administration of the estate, and the plaintiffs, two of the deceased’s daughters, issued proceedings pursuant to Art 35 of the Wills and Administration Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1994, seeking removal of the existing administratrix and the appointment of a neutral professional person as administrator.

Held

Removing the first defendant as administratrix and app...

National Westminster Bank plc v Lucas & ors [2014] EWHC 653 (Ch)

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | May 2014 #139

The television presenter Jimmy Savile (the deceased) died on 29 October 2011. His estate had an approximate value of £3.3m after the deduction of various expenses incurred by the date of this hearing. By his will, the deceased appointed National Westminster Bank plc (the bank) to act as his personal representative. The deceased’s will makes gifts to a number of individual beneficiaries, one of which was the fifth defendant, the deceased’s niece, who was appointed to represent the interests of these individual beneficiaries (the individual beneficiaries). Thereafter the deceas...

Re the A Trust [2012] JRC169A

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | September 2013 #132

Some of the beneficiaries (the representor beneficiaries) of two Jersey trusts applied for an order to remove the protector of each trust from office. The beneficiaries felt that their relationship with the protector had broken down. The majority of the other adult beneficiaries who did not take part in the legal action shared this view.

The protector did not wish to retire. He felt he was the living guardian and enforcer of the settlors’ wishes. He insisted that he felt no hostility towards the beneficiaries.

Held (removing the protector):

  1. (1) Th...

Trust Protectors: Above and beyond the call of duty

Dawn Goodman and Geoffrey Kertesz discuss a case that clarifies the grounds upon which protectors can be removed, and also sounds a note of caution for a common practice in the trust industry Protectors who engage in conduct that is beyond their remit (and perhaps trustee-like in nature) may be placing the entire structure at …
This post is only available to members.

Client Care: Clients without capacity – managing their property and affairs

In her concluding article, Araba Taylor looks at issues that arise following personal injury ‘Managing the property and affairs of incapacitated clients is best considered as an inter-disciplinary matter, where the trusts and Court of Protection expertise of the private client team can offer real support and assistance to the PI team.’ Clients without capacity …
This post is only available to members.

Trustees: Anticipating family fallout

Scott has valuable lessons about the removal of trustees, as Ashley Crossley and Imogen Buchan-Smith explain In the judge’s provisional view, an independent professional trustee should be appointed as an additional trustee to ensure that decisions would be taken in the interests of the beneficiaries as a whole. The case is both a reminder of …
This post is only available to members.

Scott v Scott [2012] EWHC 2397 (Ch)

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | October 2012 #123

The claimant (Andrew) and the defendant (Martin) were brothers. They were the trustees of a trust created in 1991 by their mother (Elizabeth Scott). Andrew, Martin and Simon Jackson QC (a long standing friend of Elizabeth Scott) were the principal beneficiaries of the trust. There were other discretionary beneficiaries. Andrew had carried out the day to day administration of the trust since 2006.

The trust had formerly comprised a farm of 60 acres and a nursing home. Significant distributions were made. Andrew carried out significant works to a property known as the Barn, which wa...

Burgess & anr v Hawes & ors 0CL10537

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | April 2012 #118

Daphne Mary Burgess (testatrix), who was a widow, had made a will on 23 September 1996 (1996 will) leaving her entire estate equally between her three children, the first and second claimants and the first defendant. At that time, she was living at 8 Abbey Way, Bradville, Milton Keynes (8 Abbey Way) and, while retaining a sense of financial independence, she relied on her son for the payment of household bills. Her physical health deteriorated as she became older, medication was already required for hypertension when she was diagnosed with diabetes, and an arthritic condition worsened to...

Trustees: Making the break

Penelope Reed QC and William East look at the removal of trustees ‘The exercise of the court’s jurisdiction to remove trustees is not dependent on some finding of misconduct or breach of trust; other conduct can also suffice provided that the continuance of the trustee would prevent the trusts being properly executed.’When faced with trustees …
This post is only available to members.

Changes To The Will: When the testator’s choice prevails

Catherine Paget and Scott Taylor discuss removal of executors and trustees from an estate ‘An executor is not usually called upon to make important decisions; their role is essentially to determine the extent of an estate and to distribute it in accordance with the testator’s directions.’This case, decided in February 2010 by Mr Justice Newey, …
This post is only available to members.