Express Trusts Flashcards
What is a trust?
Taking a piece of property and separating ownership from the beneficial enjoyment of it
When a trust is set up, who does it belong to?
The settlor
When the settlor wants to make a trust, who do they appoint?
A trustee
Can the settlor also be a trustee?
Yes
Can contractual agreements be a trust?
No
What are some uses of a trust?
.wealth management (eg trust fund)
.Shared ownership of land
.tax avoidance
What does the case of milroy v lord dictate?
The methods of constitution
What are the three options listed in milroy v lord when a settlor wants to “do something” with the property?
.A outright gifts the property to B
.A declares themselves trustee of the property to hold on trust for B
.A transfers the property to C the trustee to hold on trust for B
What does the Law of Property Act 1925, s.53 say that signed writing is required for? (3)
A) creating interests in land
B) declaring trust over land
C) transferring pre-exisintg equitable interests
What section of the Law of Property Act 1925 are we interested in?
S.53
What were some cases where the courts struggled to distinguish between a gift and an express trust? (2)
.jones v lock
.choithram v pagrani
Did the courts decide that a gift was made, or an express trust in Jones v Lock?
It was a failed gift and not a declaration of trust
Choithram v pagrani facts
Choithram verbally gave all his money to a charitable trust but died without any physical transfer of money. Courts said he set up the trust properly
What does the case of knight v Knight give us?
The three certainties
What are the three certainties?
- Words are to be followed (certainty of intention)
- The subject has to be clear (certainty of subject matter)
- The objects intended to be given are clear (certainty of objects)
Why must a trustee obey the terms of a trust?
Personal liability for breach of trust
What can happen if a trustee is not performing the trust well?
The courts can step in
Are there any magic words?
No
A case where a trust was created without the word “trust” being used?
Re kayford ltd
A case where there was no trust despite the word “trust” being used?
Tito v Waddell
What type of word must be used to ensure a trust is made, and not a gift?
Imperatives such as:
.i declare
.i direct
.on trust for…
What is the use of imperative words in trusts?
They make clear that a trust is intended to be made
What are the opposite of imperative words?
Precatory words (statements of wishes)
What does the case of lamb v eames show?
Statement of wishes (precatory words)