Pavlis v Pavlis [2021] NSWSC 1117

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Pavlis v Pavlis [2021] NSWSC 1117 Hearing dates: 2–6, 9, 10 November 2020; Further written submissions concluding 1 December 2020 Decision date: 02 September 2021 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Kunc J Decision: Claim dismissed Catchwords: EQUITY — Equitable charges and liens — Contribution to acquisition or improvement of another's property — Alternative claims in estoppel, resulting trust, constructive trust or for charge over property where adult children contributed to substantial improvement of family home — No issue of principle — Plaintiffs fail to prove any matter that would make it unconscientious for parents to retain benefit of contributions absolutely — Plaintiffs motivated by commercial benefit to them of family home as security for their business and cultural expectation of entitlement of sons to share in parents' estate Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Real Property Act 1900 (NSW) Succession Act 2006 (NSW) Cases Cited: Ak-Tankiz v Ak [2014] NSWSC 1044 Baumgartner v Baumgartner (1987) 164 CLR 137; [1987] HCA 59 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 Cubillo v Commonwealth of Australia (No 2) (2000) 103 FCR 1; [2000] FCA 1084 Fulton v Fulton [2014] NSWSC 619 Muschinski v Dodds (1985) 160 CLR 583; [1985] HCA 78 Queensland v Masson (2020) 94 ALJR 785; [2020] HCA 28 Rosebanner Pty Ltd v Energy Australia (2009) 223 FLR 406; [2009] NSWSC 43 SAMM Property Holdings Pty Ltd v Shaye Properties Pty Ltd (2017) 345 ALR 633; [2017] NSWCA 132 Sangha v Baxter [2009] NSWCA 78 Steinberg v Commissioner of Taxation (Cth) (1975) 134 CLR 640; [1975] HCA 63 Warner v Hung, in the matter of Bellpac Pty Ltd (In liq) (No 2) (2011) 297 ALR 56; [2011] FCA 1123 Watson v Foxman (1995) 49 NSWLR 315 Category: Principal judgment Parties: George Pavlis (First Plaintiff) Chris Pavlis (Second Plaintiff)