Craig-Bridges v NSW Trustee and Guardian [2017] NSWCA 197

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Craig-Bridges v NSW Trustee and Guardian [2017] NSWCA 197 Hearing dates: 25 July 2017 Decision date: 08 August 2017 Before: Gleeson JA, Leeming JA, Simpson JA Decision: 1. In proceeding 2015/377596: Appeal allowed, set aside orders 1-5 made on 16 December 2016, and in lieu thereof, order that probate in solemn form of the will of the late Ella Minnie Lillian Bush dated 8 June 2011 be granted to Helene Janelle Craig-Bridges the executrix named therein, and that the proceeding be referred to the Probate Registrar to complete the formalities of the grant.

2. In proceeding 2015/229491: Appeal allowed, and set aside orders 2 and 3 made on 16 December 2016.

3. In proceeding 2015/00223952: Appeal allowed, set aside orders 1, 2, 3 and 4 made on 16 December 2016, and in lieu thereof dismiss the summons.

4. Summons for leave to appeal brought by NSW Trustee and Guardian, dismissed.

5. Direct the parties to provide within 21 days agreed orders as to the costs at first instance and on appeal, or, in default of agreement, proposed orders as to costs and submissions not exceeding 5 pages within 21 days, with submissions in reply 7 days thereafter, with a view to any question as to costs being heard and determined on the papers. Catchwords: SUCCESSION – testamentary capacity – whether primary judge erred in finding that deceased had capacity to make last three wills – where deceased nominated long-deceased brother as executor in one of those wills – common ground that onus rested with executor propounding the will to establish capacity – nature of appellate review of decision at first instance Legislation Cited: Cancer Institute (NSW) Act 2003 (NSW), Sch 2 New South Wales Cancer Council Act 1955 (NSW) New South Wales Cancer Council Act 1995 (NSW), s 4 NSW Trustee and Guardian Act 2009 (NSW), s 5, Sch 1 Succession Act 2006 (NSW), s 59 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), ss 75A, 101 Cases Cited: AK v Western Australia (2008) 232 CLR 438; [2008] HCA 8 Bailey v Bailey (1924) 34 CLR 558 Banks v Goodfellow (1870) LR 5 QB 549 Biogen Inc v Medeva plc [1997] RPC 1 Coote v Kelly; Northam v Kelly [2017] NSWCA 192 Devries v Australian National Railways Commission (1993) 177 CLR 472 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118; [2003] HCA 22 Gilles v Palmieri [2016] NSWCA 219 Guthrie v Spence (2009) 78 NSWLR 225; [2009] NSWCA 369 Hobhouse v Macarthur-Onslow [2016] NSWSC 1831 In re Gare; Filmer v Cater [1952] Ch 80 Manning v Hughes; Estate of Ludevig [2010] NSWSC 226 Murray v Sheldon Commercial Interiors Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCA 77 Perpetual Trustee v Baker [1999] NSWCA 244 Plunkett v Bull (1915) 19 CLR 544 Re Griffith (decd); Easter v Griffith (1995) 217 ALR 284 Simon v Byford [2014] EWCA Civ 280; [2014] WTLR 1097 Tobin v Ezekiel (2012) 83 NSWLR 757; [2012] NSWCA 285 Warren v Coombes (1979) 142 CLR 531 Worth v Clasohm (1952) 86 CLR 439 Zorbas v Sidiropoulous (No 2) [2009] NSWCA 197 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Helene Janelle Craig-Bridges (Appellant/Cross-Respondent) NSW Trustee & Guardian (Respondent/Applicant) Representation: Counsel: L Ellison SC and D Liebhold (Appellant/Cross-Respondent) J Armfield (Respondent/Applicant)