FLK2 Flashcards
What is Quick Succession Relief (QSR) and when does it apply?
Quick Succession Relief is a mechanism to reduce the inheritance tax (IHT) on an estate if the following conditions are met:
A person dies within 5 years of receiving a chargeable transfer (e.g., an inheritance) that increased their estate’s value.
IHT was paid on the original chargeable transfer.
The relief is applied as a percentage to the IHT due on the second transfer based on the time elapsed since the first transfer. If more than 5 years have passed, no QSR is available.
QSR Does Not Apply If:
The earlier transfer to the deceased person is exempt, such as transfers between spouses or civil partners.
The earlier transfer was chargeable, but no IHT was paid (e.g., it was below the nil-rate band threshold).
No IHT was payable on the second death.
The transfer occurred more than 5 years before the second death.
The composition of the second estate, including the presence of land, is not the primary factor in determining the applicability of QSR.
The specific beneficiary of the wife’s estate does not affect the determination of whether QSR applies or not (unless it was exempt).
QSR cannot apply where spousal exemption applied
when the
wife later passes away and leaves her estate to her son, the PR determines that QSR does not apply to the second estate. This is because the exemption for transfers between spouses already eliminates the need for QSR in this
situation.
What is the spousal exemption?
The spousal exemption allows for the transfer of assets between spouses or civil partners to be exempt from IHT. In this case, the man left his entire estate to his wife, which falls under the spousal exemption.
How is the QSR tax credit calculated?
The credit is a percentage of the IHT paid on the first transfer, depending on the time elapsed:
Less than 1 year: 100%
1–2 years: 80%
2–3 years: 60%
3–4 years: 40%
4–5 years: 20%
Does QSR apply to the estate value or IHT due?
QSR applies to the IHT due, not the estate value.
Can QSR be applied retroactively to other estates?
No, unused QSR is lost and cannot be transferred or applied to other estates.
What is the purpose of Section 32 of the Trustee Act 1925?
It allows trustees to apply trust capital for the “advancement or benefit” of a beneficiary entitled to the capital, without requiring consent from the beneficiary or settlor, and applies to both minors and adults.
Hence, an express power of advancement in the trust deed is not required.
Trustees do not need to consider the reduction in the trust fund’s value or the decrease in dividends from its investments.
What is the trustees’ primary obligation when exercising the power of advancement?
Trustees must ensure the specific purpose of the advancement is followed and act with proper care (Re Becketts Settlement [1940] Ch 279).
What is the initial detention time limit under PACE 1984?
24 hours from the relevant time, after which the person must be charged or released (s. 41(1)).
When does the detention clock start for a person who was arrested after attending the station voluntarily?
The relevant time is the time of arrest (s. 41(2)(c)).
How can the detention time be extended beyond 24 hours?
A superintendent may authorize an extension by 12 hours (up to 36 hours) (s. 42).
Further extensions require an application to the magistrates (ss. 43 and 44).
What is a prescriptive easement, and how is it acquired?
A prescriptive easement is a right acquired through long use of land. It requires:
Continuous use for at least 20 years.
Use must be as of right:
Without force (not obtained through threats or coercion).
Without secrecy (open and visible).
Without permission (not granted by the landowner).
Permission defeats a claim for a prescriptive easement.
What are other ways to acquire a legal easement besides prescription?
Legal easements can be created through:
- Express grant or reservation: By deed, registered at the Land Registry (legal interest arises only upon registration).
- Implied easements, including:
a. Easements of necessity: Required for the use of land.
Intended easements: Based on the intentions of the parties.
b. Easements under the Wheeldon v Burrows rule: Grants rights necessary for the reasonable use of the land.
c. Easements under Section 62 of the LPA 1925: Converts certain prior uses into legal easements.
Why was the homeowner in this case unable to acquire a prescriptive easement?
The neighbour’s permission for road usage meant the use was not as of right, which is essential for acquiring a prescriptive easement.
What is a licence, and how does it differ from an easement?
A licence:
Grants personal permission to use land.
Does not create a legal interest in land.
Can be revoked by the licensor with reasonable notice.
Without the licence, the use of the land would constitute trespass.
By contrast, an easement:
Grants a legal or equitable interest in the land.
May bind third parties if properly created and registered.
What is the legal effect of permission granted by a neighbour to use land?
Permission creates a licence, not an easement.
The licence is a private contractual arrangement and does not confer rights that run with the land.
The landowner can revoke the licence, leaving the user without legal protection.
Does mistaken belief in a right to use land affect the acquisition of a prescriptive easement?
No, a mistaken belief does not prevent the acquisition of a prescriptive easement. The key factor is whether the use was as of right.
How is the test for a lawful excuse defence applied?
The test involves a subjective belief by the defendant that the property is in immediate need of protection. However, there is an objective element in assessing whether the actions taken to protect the property were reasonable in the circumstances.
The subjective test applies to the belief the defendant holds regarding the need for protection.
The objective test applies to the reasonableness of the action taken to protect the property.
What is the lawful excuse defence under section 5(2)(b) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 (CDA 1971)?
A lawful excuse defence is available if the defendant undertakes the act of damage to protect property or a right or interest in property that they believe to be in immediate need of protection. The defendant must:
Honestly believe that the property is in immediate need of protection.
Believe that the means of protection adopted are reasonable, considering the circumstances.
It is not necessary for the belief to be justified, as long as it is honestly held.
Can a defendant claim a lawful excuse defence if their belief about the need for protection is incorrect or unjustified?
Yes, as long as the belief is honestly held. It is irrelevant whether the belief is justified or not. What matters is that the defendant genuinely believed in the need for protection. The actions taken will be assessed on whether they were reasonable in relation to the belief.
How does the spousal/civil partner exemption affect inheritance tax?
If a person’s estate passes to their surviving spouse or civil partner, it is exempt from IHT. The surviving spouse’s NRB is then available for use in their estate calculation. If the estate is transferred from one partner to the other, and no chargeable transfers were made during the lifetime of the deceased, the estate will be eligible for this exemption.
How is Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculated for an estate?
IHT is calculated by deducting available exemptions and reliefs from the total value of the estate.
The nil rate band (NRB) is £325,000, which is exempt from IHT.
If the estate qualifies for the spousal/civil partner exemption, the entire estate passing to the surviving partner is exempt from IHT, leaving the survivor’s NRB available to be used.
The remaining estate after applying exemptions is subject to 40% IHT.
How many participants are required in a standard identification parade under PACE?
The parade must include nine participants: the suspect and at least eight other individuals who resemble the suspect in age, height, appearance, and position in life.
What is the requirement for the number of participants if there are two suspects of similar appearance?
If there are two suspects of similar appearance, at least 12 images should be shown to the witness.