Donnolley v Clarke [2008] NSWSC 522

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Donnolley v Clarke [2008] NSWSC 522

HEARING DATE(S) : 05 & 06 May 2008

JUDGMENT DATE : 6 May 2008

JURISDICTION : Equity

JUDGMENT OF : White J

EX TEMPORE JUDGMENT DATE : 6 May 2008

DECISION : See paras 41-43 of judgment.

CATCHWORDS : SUCCESSION – Wills – Rectification – Principles for effecting rectification – Standard of proof – Clear and convincing proof of actual intention needed - SUCCESSION – Wills – Construction of will – Inconsistent gifts – Same property given to different beneficiaries in different clauses of will – Testator presumed to have intended both gifts to take effect – Each beneficiary takes a moiety - COSTS – Wills, Probate and Administration – Construction of will – Both parties partially successful – Whether costs should be borne out of disputed property or residue – Testator failed to make his intention clear – Costs to be borne out of residue

LEGISLATION CITED : Wills Probate and Administration Act 1898 (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW)

Rawack v Spicer [2002] NSWSC 849 Perpetual Trustee Co Ltd v Wright (1987) 9 NSWLR 18 Gallagher v Adams (1887) 13 VLR 948 In re Potter's Will Trust (1944) Ch 70 Re Hammond; Hammond v Treharne [1938] 3 All ER 308 Doe d Leicester v Biggs [1803-1813] All ER 546 Sherratt v Bentley (1833-1834) 2 MY&K 149; 39 ER 901 In re Bagshaw's Trusts (1877) 46 LJ Ch 567 CASES CITED : In the Estate of Lupton [1905] P 321 Gravenor v Watkins (1870-1871) LR 6 CP 500 In re Ridgeway; Sutherland v Ridgeway (1900) 26 VLR 254 Ridout v Pain (1747) 3 Atk 486; 26 ER 1080 Anonymous Cro Eliz 9; 78 ER 275 Wallop v Darby Yel 209; 80 ER 137 Re Alexander's Will Trust [1948] 2 All ER 111 Taylor v Haygarth (Supreme Court of New South Wales, Hodgson J, 7 October 1994, unreported) The Estate of Davis (Supreme Court of New South Wales, Hodgson J, 28 July 1995, unreported) Re Barden; Florence v Shekelton-Bardon (Supreme Court of New South Wales, Holland J, 19 December 1983, unreported)