NSW Trustee and Guardian v Hirsch [2013] NSWSC 1397

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: NSW Trustee and Guardian v Hirsch [2013] NSWSC 1397 Hearing dates: 11 September 2013 Decision date: 24 September 2013 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: White J Decision: Refer to para [41] of judgment. Catchwords: SUCCESSION - wills, probate and administration - construction and effect of testamentary dispositions - testamentary note lacking express words of gift to first defendant - construction or rectification of statement that first defendant will "not receive" part of the estate despite indication of intention to benefit first defendant - validity of restraints on alienation - distinction between restraint on alienation by condition subsequent imposed on gift and by terms of trust Legislation Cited: Succession Act 2006 (NSW) Cases Cited: ANZ Trustees Limited v Hamlet [2010] VSC 207 Lockrey v Ferris [2011] NSWSC 179 Perrin v Morgan [1943] AC 399 Hatzantonis v Lawrence [2003] NSWSC 914 Public Trustee v Herbert [2009] NSWSC 366 Leader v Duffey (1888) 13 App Cas 294 Ward v Brown [1916] 2 AC 121 Kirby-Smith v Parnell [1903] 1 Ch 483 Fell v Fell (1922) 31 CLR 268 Towns v Wentworth (1858) 11 Moo PCC 526 Coorey v George (Powell J, 27 February 1986, unreported) Perpetual Trustee Co Limited v Wright (1987) 9 NSWLR 18 Fairbairn v Varvaressos (2010) 78 NSWLR 577 Fitzgerald v Masters (1956) 95 CLR 420 Tatham v Huxtable (1950) 81 CLR 639 Russo v Russo [2009] VSC 491 Saunders v Vautier (1841) Cr & Ph 240; 41 ER 482 CPT Custodian Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue (Vic) [2005] HCA 53; (2005) 224 CLR 98 Nicholls v Public Trustee (SA) [1945] HCA 32; (1945) 72 CLR 86 James v Gard (1887) 13 VLR 908 Texts Cited: Theobald on Wills, Sweet and Maxwell, 17th ed 2010 Hawkins on Wills, 2nd ed Category: Principal judgment Parties: NSW Trustee and Guardian (Plaintiff) Sophia Hirsch (1st Defendant) Attorney General of New South Wales (2nd Defendant) Representation: Counsel: L Ellison SC with A Lloyd (Plaintiff) M Pringle (1st Defendant) Submitting Appearance (2nd Defendant) Solicitors: Bartier Perry (Plaintiff) ProActive Legal Pty Ltd (1st Defendant) File Number(s): 2012/245681