Tonkiss v Graham (No2); Estate Late Marjorie Bobs Thompson [2002] NSWSC 1093

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Tonkiss v Graham (No2); Estate Late Marjorie Bobs Thompson [2002] NSWSC 1093 CURRENT JURISDICTION: Equity Probate List FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 118541/97 HEARING DATE(S) : 14 November 2002 JUDGMENT DATE : 14 November 2002

David James Tonkiss (First Plaintiff) Lorraine Gay Tonkiss (Second Plaintiff) Carolyn Graham (First Defendant) Margaret Kathleen Horan (Second Defendant) Hamish Murdoch Angus McLean (Third Defendant) PARTIES : Jessie Eleanor Tamzin McLean (Fourth Defendant) Stephen David Tonkiss (Fifth Defendant) Samantha Jane Tonkiss (Sixth Defendant) Sue McKinnon Horton (Seventh Defendant) Stuart McKinnon Horton (Eighth Defendant) Robert McKinnon Horton (Ninth Defendant) Peter Douglas George Horton (Tenth Defendant) JUDGMENT OF : Campbell J

P Hallen SC (P) COUNSEL : D Davies SC (D1-4 and D7-10) D Legg, Solicitor (D6) Teece, Hodgson & Ward (P) Shaw McDonald (D1-4) SOLICITORS : Burridge & Legg (D6) Michael H Roberts & Associates (D7-9) Bilbie Dan (D10) CATCHWORDS : SUCCESSION - WILLS PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION - interested witness - appropriate costs order - PROCEDURE - costs - probate suit - gift to interested witness LEGISLATION CITED : Wills, Probate and Administration Act 1898 CASES CITED : Re: Hodges; Shorter v Hodges (1988) 14 NSWLR 698 DECISION : Costs of next of kin opposing grant of probate ordered paid from share of beneficiary whose spouse witnessed Will