Trusts - Charitable Trusts Flashcards
(37 cards)
Scottish Burial Case
To establish a charitable trust needed to be one of Pemsel’s four categories plus
- be for the benefit of the public
- wholly and exclusively charitable
Pemsel
Drew together 1601 Act and case law to define 4 categories
Relief of poverty
Advancement of education
Advancement of religion
For other purposes beneficial to the community.
Morice v Bishop of Durham
A trust for objects of benevolence and liberty was not charitable.
Contrasted to Re Best (charitable and benevolent)
Re Coxen
A trust can have multiple parts and if in relation to the size of the total, a private gift is small, may still be charitable
Salusbury v Denton
Size of parts not significant can be separated into private and public parts
(decided prior to Re Coxen)
Re coulthurst
Poverty does not mean destitution but means people who have to go short with regards given to their status in life
Re Cohen
In needy circumstances qualifies as poverty
In special need does not
Gwyon
A gift will not be charitable if benefits the rich as well as the poor
Re Scarisbrick
Distinguished between a charitable trust (for relief of poverty amongst a particular description of poor people) and private trusts (a gift to particular poor people)
Dingle v Turner
Approved Re Scarsbrick
A personal nexus between the beneficiaries and the testator is not usually charitable but there would be anomalous exceptions (this case was an exception)
Supported by CCG.
McGovern v AG
A trust for research will qualify as a charitable trust if
- subject matter is useful
- results disseminated to others
- benefit of public or section of public.
Re Shaw WT
There is an intrinsic value in improving skills - charitable
Re Nottage
Sport in itself is not valuable
Is as part of a balanced education as Recreational Act 1958 was established to show
Oppenheim v Tobacco Securities Trust
The personal nexus test is binding on educational charitable trusts "No class of beneficiaries can constitute a section of the public if the distinguishing feature which links them together is the relationship to a particular individual through common descent or common employment"
Dissenting judgment 1 a question of degree, to decide on facts, historical precedent for this.
Purpose for funds should be more important
Re Koettgen
Preference can be given to a particular group if the beneficiaries are not limited to that group
Caffoor distinguished - as long ad no absolute priority given
IRC v Educational Grants Assoc.
If a charitable trust spends a high proportion of its annual income on a private class the income will not receive tax relief
Independent Schools Council v CC
Charity trustees which charge high fees are required to take account of whole group of beneficiaries. They have a duty to provide for the poor and this must be more than minimal or tokenistic. No objective benchmarks for those unable to pay full fees - up to trustees to devide on charity’s circumstances. AT THE MOMENT BEING REVIEWED
Re King
To repair a church - held charitable
Re Douglas
Upkeep of churchyard - charitable
Thornton v Howe
Must hold a genuine belief even if implausible
Gilmour v Coats
“power of prayer” does not satisfy principle 2. Therefore not charitable as nuns could not go out into the community
Neville Estates v Madden
Law assumes some religion is better than none.
Lived in community - contact with public at large. Charitable
Re Garrard
Absolute discretion given to the holder of a religious office - charitable
Dunne v Byrne
If purposes are specified which include non-charitable purposes (eg social purposes) the gift will not be charitable