Application of Marais [2009] NSWSC 206

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Application of Marais [2009] NSWSC 206

JUDGMENT OF : McLaughlin AsJ

EX TEMPORE JUDGMENT DATE : 16 February 2009

1. The Court gives its opinion, advice and direction upon the question posed in paragraph 14 in the amended statement of facts filed on 13 February 2009 as follows: (a) No; (b) Yes; (c) Yes; DECISION : (d) No; (e) No other steps should be taken by the Plaintiff executor in relation to the gift; (f) No other person need presently be joined as a Defendant to the proceedings. 2. I reserve liberty to apply. 3. I order that the costs of the Plaintiff be paid out of the estate of the late Charles Francis Peterman ("the deceased"), such costs to be on the indemnity basis.

CATCHWORDS : SUCCESSION - wills, probate and administration - construction and effect of testamentary dispositions - judicial advice - meaning of phrase "my remaining relatives" - whether void for uncertainty - distribution to persons entitled upon intestacy - distribution per capita, not per stirpes - Benjamin order.

LEGISLATION CITED : Probate and Administration Act 1898

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Whithorne v Harris (1754) 2 Ves.Sen. 527; 28 ER 337 Smith v Campbell (1815) 19 Ves.400; 34 ER 566 Re Benjamin [1902] 1 Ch 723 Re Knox (Deceased) (1910) 29 NZLR 1179 Re Griffiths [1926] VLR 212 CASES CITED : In the Will of Walker [1943] 43 SR (NSW) 305 Re Eleanor Taylor's Estate and Will Trusts [1969] 2 Ch 245 Re Plato [1989] 2 NZLR 360 Re Boyd (No 2) (Supreme Court of New South Wales, 19 July 1995, unreported) Re Fox [1997] 1 Qd R 43 Public Trustee v Solah [1999] NSWSC 660 Gonzales v Claridades [2003] NSWSC 508; (2003) 58 NSWLR 188