Fenwick, Re; Application of J.R. Fenwick & Re Charles [2009] NSWSC 530

Reported Decision : 76 NSWLR 22 1 ASTLR 440

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Fenwick, Re; Application of J.R. Fenwick & Re Charles [2009] NSWSC 530

HEARING DATE(S) : Re Fenwick: 15 December 2008 Re 'Charles': 10 February 2009

JUDGMENT DATE : 12 June 2009

JURISDICTION : Equity Division and Probate List

JUDGMENT OF : Palmer J

DECISION : Applications granted.

CATCHWORDS : SUCCESSION – STATUTORY WILL – Examination of historical antecedents – correct approach to interpretation and application of statutory will legislation in New South Wales – whether authorities in other jurisdictions of assistance – categories of application – "lost capacity" case – "nil capacity" case – "pre-empted capacity" case – the proper approach in each category. - PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – What evidence is required – when intervention by the Court is justified – procedure in unopposed applications.

- Administration of Estates Act 1925 (UK) - Adoption Act 2000 (NSW) - Children (Care and Protection) Act 1987 (NSW) – s 72 - Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) - s 56(1), s 71(d), s 71(f) - Family Provision Act 1982 (NSW) - Law of Property Act 1925 (UK) – s 171(1) - Mental Capacity Act 2005 (UK) - Mental Health Act 1959 (UK) – s 102, s 103 LEGISLATION CITED : - Mental Health Act 1983 (UK) – s 95, s 96 - Probate and Administration Act 1898 (NSW) – s 61B(5) - Protected Estates Act 1983 (NSW) - Statute of Distributions (23, 23 Charles II, c.10) - Statute of Wills (32 Henry VIII, c.1) - Succession Act 2006 (NSW) – Chapter 2, Pt 2.2 Div 2, s 16, s 18, s 19, s 20, s 21, s 22, s 25, Chapter 3 - Testator's Family Maintenance Act 1900 (NZ) - Testator's Family Maintenance and Guardianship of Infants Act 1916 (NSW) – s 3(1), (1a) - Wills Act 1997 (Vic) – s 26(b) - Wills, Probate and Administration Act 1898 (NSW) – s 6A