Stephenson v Santos [2020] NSWCA 262

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Stephenson v Santos [2020] NSWCA 262 Hearing dates: 2 October 2020 Decision date: 21 October 2020 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Leeming JA at [2]; McCallum JA at [43]. Decision: 1. To the extent necessary, grant leave to appeal. 2. Appeal dismissed, with costs. Catchwords: CONSTRUCTIVE TRUSTS – house purchased in name of niece – primary judge found aunt and niece agreed that aunt would pay half outgoings in exchange for a one half beneficial interest – primary judge ordered niece to account to aunt for one half of net proceeds of sale, on terms that aunt repay amounts obtained from Centrelink for rental assistance – whether reasons of primary judge inadequate – whether finding as to common intention should be set aside – whether primary judge erred as to effect of illegality – appeal dismissed Legislation Cited: Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 101 Cases Cited: Allen v Snyder [1977] 2 NSWLR 685 Baumgartner v Baumgartner (1987) 164 CLR 137; [1987] HCA 59 Bijkerk Investments Pty Ltd v Bikic [2020] NSWSC 1336 Equuscorp Pty Ltd v Haxton (2012) 246 CLR 498; [2012] HCA 7 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118; [2003] HCA 22 Gnych v Polish Club Ltd (2015) 255 CLR 414; [2015] HCA 23 Krnjulac v Lincu [2015] NSWCA 367 Nelson v Nelson (1995) 184 CLR 538; [1995] HCA 25 NSW Police Force v Winter [2011] NSWCA 330 Shellharbour City Council v Rhiannon Rigby [2006] NSWCA 308 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Olga Stephenson (Appellant) Lourdes Santos (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J McIntosh (Appellant) H Jewell (Respondent)