Smith v Taylor [2006] NSWSC 162

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Smith v Taylor [2006] NSWSC 162

HEARING DATE(S) : 2 & 3 March 2006

JUDGMENT DATE : 17 March 2006

JURISDICTION : Equity

JUDGMENT OF : Hamilton J

DECISION : There was a proprietary estoppel in favour of the defendants in relation to the gift of a block of land promised by the testator and his wife. Further provision made for the plaintiff out of the testator's estate.

CATCHWORDS : CONTRACTS [59] – General contractual principles – Statute of Frauds s 4 – Note or memorandum – What amounts to – Equitable estoppel - SUCCESSION [321] – Family provision and maintenance – Principles upon which relief granted – Application of children – Adult son – Poor health.

Conveyancing Act 1919 s 54A LEGISLATION CITED : Family Provision Act 1982 ss 7, 9, 12, 24, 27 & 28 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1944 s 2

Day v Perpetual Trustee Co Ltd [2001] NSWSC 394 Gorton v Parks (1989) 17 NSWLR 1 Hughes v Hughes NSWCA 6 June 1989 unreported Hughes v National Trustees Executors and Agency Co of Australasia Ltd (1979) 143 CLR 134 Hunter v Hunter (1987) 8 NSWLR 573 Lieschke v Lieschke [2003] NSWSC 743 CASES CITED : Massingham v Massingham NSWCA 27 June 1996 unreported Permanent Trustee Co Ltd v Fraser (1995) 36 NSWLR 24 Shearer v The Public Trustee NSWSC 23 March 1998 unreported Young J Singer v Berghouse (1994) 181 CLR 201 Vigolo v Bostin (2005) 221 CLR 191 Walker v Walker NSWSC 17 May 1996 unreported Young J Waltons Stores (Interstate) Ltd v Maher (1988) 164 CLR 387 Williams, Mortimer and Sunnucks on Executors, Administrators and Probate (2000) [48-04]