Chick & Anor v Grosfeld (No. 3) [2012] NSWSC 1536

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Chick & Anor v Grosfeld (No. 3) [2012] NSWSC 1536 Hearing dates: 31 October 2012 Decision date: 13 December 2012 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: White J Decision: Refer to para [42] of judgment. Catchwords: WILLS, PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION - entitlement of executor to remuneration - construction of clause in will providing for entitlement to charge - executor an accountant - executor only entitled to charge professional rates for work that a non-accountant executor would have been justified in retaining an accountant to perform - beneficiaries not estopped from denying executor's entitlement to charge fees otherwise than in accordance with will Legislation Cited: Family Provision Act 1982 (NSW) Probate and Administration Act 1898 (NSW) Cases Cited: Chick v Grosfeld [2012] NSWSC 1166 Commissioner of Stamp Duties (Qld) v Livingstone [1965] AC 694 Macartney v Macartney (1909) 1 VLR 183 Swanson v Emmerton [1909] 1 VLR 387 In the Estate of Purton (1935) 53 WN 149 In The Estate of Instone (Supreme Court of New South Wales, Powell J, 23 August 1993, unreported; BC9303622) In Re Craig (1952) 52 SR (NSW) 265 Broughton v Broughton (1854) 5 De G, M and G 160 at 164; 43 ER 831 In Re Doody; Fisher v Doody [1893] 1 Ch 129 In Re Gates; Arnold v Gates [1933] Ch 913 In the Will of Kerrigan (1935) 35 SR (NSW) 242 Sacks v Gridiger (1990) 22 NSWLR 502 Clarkson v Robinson [1900] 2 Ch 722 and Re Chalinder; Chalinder v Herrington [1907] 1 Ch 58 Re Chapple; Newton v Chapman (1884) 27 Ch D 584 Swanson v Emmerton [1909] VLR 387 In the Will of Sheppard [1972] 2 NSWLR 714 In the Will of Shannon [1977] 1 NSWLR 210 Re Ames; Ames v Taylor (1883) 25 Ch D 72 Re Fish; Bennett v Bennett [1893] 2 Ch 413 Waltons Stores (Interstate) Limited v Maher (1988) 164 CLR 387 Commonwealth v Verwayen (1990) 170 CLR 394 Texts Cited: Jacobs Law of Trusts in Australia, 7th ed Category: Separate question Parties: Murray Chick (1st Plaintiff) Kimberley Runia (2nd Plaintiff) Johannes Theodorus Grosfeld (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: M McAuley (Plaintiffs) A Lakeman (Defendant) Solicitors: McAuley Hawach (Plaintiffs) Angela Anthony & Associates (Defendant) File Number(s): 2010/258874