Power v Power [2011] NSWSC 288

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Power v Power [2011] NSWSC 288 Hearing dates: 25 March 2011 Decision date: 14 April 2011 Before: Gzell J Decision: Exception to ademption for unauthorised act of agent applied. Devise did not adeem and could be traced into proceeds of sale. Catchwords: SUCCESSION - Wills, Probate and Administration - Construction and Effect of Testamentary Dispositions - devise of half interest in property - interest sold under power of attorney in lifetime of deceased - power of attorney subject to condition or limitation that could only be used upon treating medical practitioner certifying that deceased was no longer physically or mentally able to sign documents or look after her own affairs - whether letter that deceased may not be so capable sufficient - whether an exemption to the principle of ademption applied - whether acquiescence Legislation Cited: Powers of Attorney Act 2003 Conveyancing Act 1919 Cases Cited: Brown v Heffer [1967] HCA 40; (1967) 116 CLR 344 Earl of Shaftsbury v Countess of Shaftsbury [1716] 2 Vern 747 [23 ER 1089] Basan v Brandon [1836] 8 Sim 171 [59 ER 68] Oakes v Oakes [1852] 9 Hare 666 [68 ER 680] Jenkins v Jones (1866) LR 2 Eq 323 In re Slater (1907) 1 Ch 665 Re Viertel [1996] QSC 66; [1997] 1 Qd R 110 Johnston v Maclarn [2001] NSWSC 932 Johnston v Maclarn [2002] NSWSC 97 In re Hartigan; ex parte the Public Trustee (Supreme Court of Western Australia, Parker J, 9 December 1997, unreported) Mulhall v Kelly [2006] VSC 407 Ensor v Frisby [2009] QSC 268 Orr v Slender; Estate of Godfrey Raymond Orr [2005] NSWSC 1175; (2005) 64 NSWLR 671 Christensen v McKnight (Supreme Court of New South Wales, Hodgson J, 2 March 1995, unreported) Banks v National Westminster Bank plc [2005] EWHC 3479 (Ch) Ramsden v Dyson (1866) LR 1 HL 129 Texts Cited: Roper on Legacies, 4th ed (1847), William Benning & Co, Law Booksellers, Vol 1 Meagher, Gummow & Lehane's Equity Doctrines and Remedies, 4th ed (2002) Butterworths LexisNexis Category: Principal judgment Parties: Martin John Power (Plaintiff) Stephanie Christine Power (First Defendant) George Weir (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: RD Wilson (Plaintiff) M Gorrick (First Defendant) DM Flaherty (Second Defendant) Solicitors: Pritchard Law Group (Plaintiff) L Rundle & Co (First Defendant) Grahams Solicitors (Second Defendant) File Number(s): 2010/310498