Howell & ors v Lees-Millais & ors [2011] EWCA Civ 786

December 2011 #115

The appellant trustees sought permission to appeal from a costs order. An application had been issued in December 2006 pursuant to which the trustees sought sanction to pursue claims for (inter alia) breach of trust. Three related beneficiaries (Lorna, Fiona and Marcus) resisted the application as defendants, save in respect of a negligence claim against solicitors. In July 2008, Lindsay J declined to sanction any of the claims (save for the negligence claim) and made clear that the trustees had acted in an inappropriately partisan way. Directions were given for a costs hearing,...

Lane v Cullens Solicitors & ors [2011] EWCA Civ 547

December 2011 #115

The claimant was the brother of the deceased. She died intestate on 22 January 1997. The claimant became her personal representative pursuant to a grant of letters of administration made on 2 August 2000. The claimant was entitled to one third of the deceased’s estate there being two other stirpital branches of the family. One such branch was represented by the claimant’s brother. The claimant’s niece who was entitled to one sixth of the deceased’s estate intimated a claim that she was entitled to the deceased’s home. She did this in October 1998. The claimant, while being advised by sol...