Strang v Strang [2009] NSWSC 760

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Strang v Strang [2009] NSWSC 760

HEARING DATE(S) : 12.02.09, 13.02.09, 16.04.09, 17.04.09

JUDGMENT DATE : 5 August 2009

JUDGMENT OF : Nicholas J

DECISION : Par 156 - 159

CATCHWORDS : EQUITY – trusts and trustees – vesting orders – written declaration of trust – whether requisite intention existed at time of declaration – equitable defences – laches and delay – general principles considered REAL PROPERTY – Crown land – week-end leases – whether declaration of trust an illegal dealing under Crown Lands Consolidation Act 1913 LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – trusts and trustees – trustee's executrix refuses to transfer trust property to beneficiary's executrix – whether plaintiff statute barred – when claim for a vesting order arises – rule in Saunders v Vautier considered STATUTORY INTERPRETATION –Trustee Act 1925 – whether laches available as a defence to a claim for a vesting order under s 71 Trustee Act 1925 – principles considered CROSS-CLAIM – equity – powers and duties of trustee – trustee seeks indemnity out of trust estate for payment of expenses – whether expenses related to conduct of the trust or trust affairs – question turns on its on facts – no general principles considered

Crown Lands Consolidation Act 1913 LEGISLATION CITED : Limitation Act 1969 Supreme Court Act 1970 Trustee Act 1925

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

CPT Custodian Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue (Vic) [2005] HCA 53; (2005) 224 CLR 98 Davies v Littlejohn [1923] HCA 64; (1923) 34 CLR 174 DKLR Holding Co (No. 2) Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Stamp Duties [1980] 1 NSWLR 510 DKLR Holding Co (No. 2) Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Stamp Duties (NSW) [1982] HCA 14; (1982) 149 CLR 431 Fensom v Cootamundra Racecourse Reserve Trust [2000] NSWSC 1072 Gatsios Holdings Pty Ltd v Kritharas Holdings (in liq) [2002] NSWCA 29 Herdegen v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1988) 84 ALR 271 Hourigan v Trustees Executors and Agency Co Ltd [1934] HCA 25; (1934) 51 CLR 619 Hyhonie Holdings Pty Ltd v Leroy [2003] NSWSC 624 Hyhonie Holdings Pty Ltd v Leroy [2004] NSWCA 72 McWilliam v McWilliam Wines Pty Ltd [1964] HCA 6; (1964) 114 CLR 656 CASES CITED : Minister for Lands v Cassin (1966) 45 LVR 26 Minister for Lands & Forests v McPherson (1991) 22 NSWLR 687 Network Ten Pty Ltd v TCN Channel Nine Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 14; (2004) 218 CLR 273 NSW v Scharer [2003] NSWCA 328 Orr v Ford [1989] HCA 4; (1989) 167 CLR 316 Re Lamshed [1970] SASR 224 Re McCready [2004] NSWSC 887 Re Purkiss [1999] VSC 386; (1999) 3 VR 223 Saunders v Vautier (1841) 4 Beav 115; 49 ER 282 Sichel v O'Shanassy (1877) 3 VLR (E) 208 Stafford v Kekatos (No. 4) [2008] NSWSC 1338 Walsh v Minister for Lands for NSW [1960] HCA 52; (1960) 103 CLR 240