Lewis v Lewis [2020] NSWSC 1306

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Lewis v Lewis [2020] NSWSC 1306 Hearing dates: 15, 16, 17, 18 June 2020; further submissions ending 1 July 2020 Date of orders: 25 September 2020 Decision date: 25 September 2020 Jurisdiction: Equity - Probate List Before: Parker J Decision: See [464]-[468] Catchwords: SUCCESSION – contested probate – testamentary capacity – soundness of mind, memory and understanding – litigious dispute between testator and family members concerning restructuring of family investments – testamentary provisions giving control of family companies, unit trust and discretionary trusts – testamentary provisions for claw-back of monies from bequests to beneficiaries – knowledge and approval Legislation Cited: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s 247A Succession Act 2006 (NSW), s 8 Cases Cited: Banks v Goodfellow [1870] LR 5 QB 549 Estate of George Aeneas McDonald; Howard v The Sydney Children's Hospital Network (Randwick & Westmead) [2015] NSWSC 1610 Estate of Stanley William Church [2012] NSWSC 1489 Hobhouse v Macarthur-Onslow [2016] NSWSC 1831 Hoff v Atherton [2004] All ER (D) 314 Tobin v Ezekiel (2012) 83 NSWLR 757 Texts Cited: Law Society of New South Wales, When a client's capacity is in doubt: A Practical Guide for Solicitors 2009 Category: Principal judgment Parties: David Grant Lewis (Plaintiff/Cross Defendant) Peter Howarth Lewis (Defendant/Cross Claimant) Representation: Counsel: C Vindin (Plaintiff/Cross Defendant) LJ Ellison SC (Defendant/Cross Claimant)