John Patrick Courtney v Maureen Anne Powell; Peter Michael Courtney v Maureen Anne Powell [2012] NSWSC 460

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: John Patrick Courtney v Maureen Anne Powell; Peter Michael Courtney v Maureen Anne Powell [2012] NSWSC 460 Hearing dates: 18, 19 and 20 April 2012 Decision date: 11 May 2012 Before: Ball J Decision: See paragraphs 83 to 87 of this judgment. Catchwords: EQUITY - undue influence - presumption of undue influence - whether presumption arises from relationship between parties - eldery father and daughter - father suffering from mild dementia - whether presumption rebutted. EQUITY - unconscionable conduct - daughter caring for father - whether father's medical condition gave rise to a 'special disability'. FAMILY PROVISION - adult sons - one son homeless and estranged for 36 years - other son dependant on pension - whether adequate provision made - whether notional estate order should be made - intention of deceased - difference between intention and effect of transaction. Legislation Cited: Family Provisions Act 1982 (NSW) Succession Act 2006 (NSW) Trustee Companies Act 1984 (Vic) Cases Cited: Allcard v Skinner (1887) 36 Ch D 145 Andrew v Andrew [2011] NSWSC 115 Bridgewater v Leahy (1998) 194 CLR 457 Brown v New South Wales Trustee & Guardian [2011] NSWSC 1203 Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd v Amadio (1983) 151 CLR 447 Foley v Ellis [2008] NSWCA 288 Hewitt v Gardner [2009] NSWSC 1107 Jedda Investments Pty Ltd v Krambousanos (1997) 72 FCR 138 Johnson v Buttress (1936) 56 CLR 113 Quek v Beggs (1990) 5 BPR 11,761 Singer v Berghouse [1994] HCA 40; (1994) 181 CLR 201 Spong v Spong (1918) 18 CLR 544 Stivactas v Michelatos (No 2) (1993) NSW ConvR 55-683 Tulloch (deceased) v Braybon (No 2) [2010] NSWSC 650 Vigolo v Bostin [2005] HCA 11; 221 CLR 191 Watkins v Combes (1922) 30 CLR 180 Category: Principal judgment Parties: John Patrick Courtney (Plaintiff in 2011/13199) Peter Michael Courtney (Plaintiff in 2010/422321 and First Defendant in 2011/13199) Maureen Anne Powell (Defendant 2010/422321 / Second Defendant in 2011/13199) Representation: IF Butcher (Plaintiff in 2011/13199) CF Hodgson (Plaintiff in 2010/422321 and First Defendant in 2011/13199) TJ Morahan (Defendant 2010/422321 / Second Defendant in 2011/13199) Milne Berry Berger Freeman (Plaintiff 2011/13199) MacGillivrays (Plaintiff 2010/422321 and First Defendant in 2011/13199) Grogan & Webb (Defendant 2010/422321 / Second Defendant in 2011/13199) File Number(s): 2011/13199 & 2010/422321