Ali v Khatib & ors [2022] WTLR 811

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | Autumn 2022 #188

Title to a property (the property) passed on the death of Mohammed Ali in 2003 to his wife Fateh Bibi (Mrs Bibi). Mrs Bibi died on 11 July 2006, having made a will dated 7 January 1997 (the 1997 will). Under the 1997 will, Mrs Bibi left her residuary estate in equal shares to her children: Farzand Ali, Mohammed Ramzan, Mohammed Iqbal and Parveen Iqbal. In probate proceedings brought in 2012 by Farzand in relation to Mrs Bibi’s estate, an order pronouncing in favour of the 1997 will was made on 24 January 2014 (the 2014 order). The 2014 order also pronounced against a document dated 2 Oct...

Trusts of land: What justifies the award of occupation rent?

John Sharples outlines a case that clarifies occupation rights Ali illustrates the importance of properly analysing the nature of the occupying beneficiary’s interest at the outset and seeking the proper relief on behalf of the proper claimant for the correct amount. In what circumstances can a beneficiary of a trust of land who does not …
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Occupation rent: A fair share

Mark Pawlowski examines the principles to be applied when a co-owner or their trustee in bankruptcy claims an occupation rent A co-owner in occupation is not obliged to pay occupation rent merely because they are living in the property and the other co-owner is not, and something more must be shown to make it just …
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Rowland v Blades [2022] WTLR 269

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | Spring 2022 #186

The parties were in a relationship from 2006. In 2008 they acquired a property in their joint names which they held as beneficial joint tenants, which was intended for use at weekends and holidays. In 2009 the parties separated. The respondent asked the appellant not to take his new partner to the property, and he agreed. The respondent spent most weekends there until the proceedings commenced and an order for sale was made. The appellant argued that he had been excluded from the property from 2009 until 2018, and claimed occupation rent. The respondent argued the appellant had voluntari...

Davis v Jackson [2017] EWHC 698 (Ch)

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | Summer 2017 #168

The respondents (Rs) are a married couple but at all times after 2001 were estranged and living apart. The wife (R2) purchased a property (the property) in 2003 using monies from another property owned by her and the remainder by interest-only mortgage. The title to the property was in R2’s sole name and she moved in with her children. The husband (R1) never lived in the property.

Shortly after purchase, Rs signed a declaration of trust declaring inter alia that R2 held the property on trust for herself and R1 in equal shares, that she would register R1’s interest and ...