Byers v Overton Investments Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 1761

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Byers v Overton Investments Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 1761 SUCCESSION – testamentary succession to chose in action – where personal estate of deceased included a cause of action against respondent – where proceedings in respect of cause of action commenced by executor prior to grant of probate – whether proceedings a nullity – vesting of testate personal estate between death and grant of probate – whether vests in Official Trustee or executor – operation of ss 44 and 61 of the Wills, Probate and Administration Act 1898 (NSW) – whether the grant of probate the foundation of an executor's title

31 Ed. III. St. I, c. 11 (Administration Upon Intestacy Act) 1357 (Imp) 21 Hen. VIII, c. 5 (Probate and Administration Act) 1529 (Imp) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Wills, Probate and Administration Act 1898 (NSW) ss 40, 44 & 61 54 Vic No. 25 ('Probate Act') 1890 (NSW) ss 15, 32 & 39 Administration and Probate Act 1929 (ACT) ss 38A & 39 26 Vic. No. 20 (Real Estate of Intestates Distribution Act) 1863 (NSW) ("Lang's Act") s 1 56 Vic. No. 30 (Probate Act of 1890 Amendment Act) 1893 (NSW) s 23 Administration and Probate Act 1969 (NT) ss 51 & 52 Public Trustee Act 1979 (NT) s 46 Public Trustee Act 1941 (WA) s 9 Murphy v Overton Investments Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 801 cited Laybutt v Amoco Australia Pty Ltd (1974) 132 CLR 57 referred to Meyappa Chetty v Supramanian Chetty [1916] 1 AC 6-3 referred to Ex parte Public Trustee; Re Birch (1951) 51 SR(NSW) 345 referred to Daily Pty Ltd, The v White (1946) 63 WN(NSW) 262 referred to Marshall v D G Sundin & Co Pty Ltd (1989) 16 NSWLR 463 followed Darrington v Caldbeck (1990) 20 NSWLR 212 followed Gertsch v Roberts (1995) 35 NSWLR 631 referred to Holloway v Public Trustee (1959) 59 SR(NSW) 308 referred to Bone v Commissioner of Stamp Duties (1974) 132 CLR 38 referred to Ex Parte Yee Hing (1897) 13 WN(NSW) 208b discussed Broughton, In Re (1902) 19 WN(NSW) 69 referred to Sydney Municipal Council v Hayek (1930) 48 WN(NSW) 11 referred to Foy v Public Trustee (1942) SR(NSW) 209 referred to Greenway v McKay (1911) 12 CLR 310 referred to Ex parte Callan; Re Smith [1968] 1 NSWR 443 referred to Fred Long & Sons Ltd v Burgess [1950] 1 KB 155 cited NSW Parliamentary Debates, Legislative Council, 1 December 1892, p. 2346