Denison v Denison [2000] NSWSC 1205

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Denison v Denison [2000] NSWSC 1205 CURRENT JURISDICTION: Equity FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 3500/99 HEARING DATE(S) : 15 August 2000 JUDGMENT DATE : 15 December 2000

Robert Leslie Denison (P1) Leon Edward Wruck (P2) Darcy Leigh Denison (D1) Kent Preston Denison (D2) PARTIES : Poppi Kate Denison (D3) Thea Elizabeth Denison (D4) Nicholas David Jack Denison (D5) Tristan Gregory Furney (D6) Richard John William D'Apice (D7) JUDGMENT OF : Hamilton J

M K Meek (P1 & 2) COUNSEL : P H Blackburn-Hart (D1 & 2) M J Knight, Solicitor (D3 - 6) D Davies SC (D7) Middletons Moore & Bevins (P1 & 2) SOLICITORS : Nash O'Neill Tomko (D1 & 2) M J Knight (D3 - 6) Makinson & d'Apice (D7) CATCHWORDS : FAMILY LAW AND CHILD WELFARE [136] - Child welfare other than under Family Law Act 1975 - Adoption - Effect of order - SUCCESSION [171], [183] - Wills, probate and administration - Construction and effect of testamentary dispositions - Generally - Gifts to a class - When class is ascertained - Gifts to children and grandchildren - Gift to grandchildren born before a certain date - Whether class intended to remain open to include grandchildren born before but adopted after that date - When including. Adoption of Children Act 1965 ss 5, 35, 36, 46 LEGISLATION CITED : Children (Equality of Status) Act 1976 Status of Children Act 1996 Andrews v Partington (1791) 3 Bro CC; 29 ER 610 Crane v Crane (1949) 80 CLR 327 Re Fogg deceased; Mordue v Mordue [1972] 1 NSWLR 417 CASES CITED : Harris v Ashdown (1985) 3 NSWLR 193 Hill v Crook (1873) LR 6 HL 265 In re Stephens. Kilby v Betts [1904] 1 Ch 322 In re Tom's Settlement; Rose v Evans [1987] 1 WLR 1021 Odgers' Construction of Deeds and Statutes (5th Ed, 1967) 27 DECISION : Held that "grandchildren" included adopted children, class had closed and vested shares might be distributed.