Hancock v Rinehart (Trust documents) [2018] NSWSC 1684

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Hancock v Rinehart (Trust documents) [2018] NSWSC 1684 Hearing dates: 29 September 2015, 12 May, 3 June, 18 August, 31 September 2016, 4 May, 28 June 2017. Written submissions closed 3 August 2017. Date of orders: 05 November 2018 Decision date: 05 November 2018 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Brereton J Decision: Orders made that the first defendant verify compliance with the delivery up order, as clarified in this judgment: see para [145]. Catchwords: EQUITY – Trusts and trustees – Where Court made orders appointing new trustee in circumstances where former trustee wished to be discharged from the role – Former trustee ordered by Court to deliver up to new trustee all documents of the trust within her possession, custody or control – New trustee contended that order had not been complied with – What constitutes "documents of the trust" liable to be delivered up to incoming trustee – Whether includes documents constituting deliberations of trustee as distinct from decisions – Whether includes private communications with beneficiaries – Whether includes privileged documents – Where outgoing trustee has proceeded on misconceived basis – Orders made for outgoing trustee to verify compliance

EVIDENCE – privilege – waiver – joint privilege – Evidence Act 1995, s 124 Legislation Cited: (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005, s 135 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 , s 124 Cases Cited: AIT Investment Group Pty Ltd v Markham Property Fund No 2 Pty Limited [2015] NSWSC 216 Akcan v Cross [2013] NSWSC 403 Alperton Rubber Co v Manning (1917) 86 LJ Ch 377 Australian Beverage Distributors Pty Ltd v Evans & Tate Premium Wines Pty Ltd (2007) 69 NSWLR 374; [2007] NSWCA 57 Bird Charitable Trust, In the matter of the (2012) (1) JLR 62 Dura (Australia) Constructions Pty Ltd v Hue Boutique Living Pty Ltd [2011] VSC 477 Farrow Mortgage Services Pty Ltd v Webb (1996) 39 NSWLR 601 Global Custodians Ltd v Mesh [2002] NSWSC 47 Gourand v Edison Gower Bell Telephone Company of Europe (1888) 57 LJ Ch 498 Gray v BNY Trust Company of Australia Ltd [2009] NSWSC 789; (2009) 76 NSWLR 586 Great Southern Managers Australia Ltd v Clarke (2012) 36 VR 308; [2012] VSCA 207 Hancock v Rinehart (Costs) [2016] NSWSC 11 Hancock v Rinehart (Freehills subpoena) [2017] NSWSC 530 Hancock v Rinehart (Lump Sum Costs) [2015] NSWSC 1640 Hancock v Rinehart (Privilege) [2016] NSWSC 12 Hancock v Rinehart [2015] NSWSC 2140 Hancock v Rinehart [2015] NSWSC 646; 106 ACSR 207 Hartigan Nominees Pty Ltd v Rydge (1992) 29 NSWLR 405 Krok v Szaintop Homes Pty Ltd (No 1) [2011] VSC 16 Londonderry's Settlement, Re [1965] Ch 918 McDonald v Ellis [2007] NSWSC 1068 McLeary v Swift [2014] NSWSC 1414 O'Rourke v Darbishire [1920] AC 581 Ormonoid Roofing & Asphalts Ltd v Bitumenoids Ltd (1931) 31 SR(NSW) 347 Riltang Pty Ltd v L Pty Ltd [2004] NSWSC 977; 12 BPR 22,347 Rinehart v Rinehart [2016] NSWCA 58 Robertson v Robertson [2009] VSC 118 Rouse v IOOF Australia Trustees Ltd (1999) 73 SASR 484; [1999] SASC 181 Rouse v IOOF Australia Trustees Ltd (No 3) [1999] SASC 208 Schmidt v Rosewood Trust Pty Ltd [2003] 2 AC 709; [2003] 3 All ER 76; [2003] UKPC 26 Schreuder v Murray (No 2) (2009) 41 WAR 169; [2009] WASCA145 Talbot v Marshfield [1865] 62 ER 728 Tiger v Barclays Bank Ltd [1951] 2 KB 556; on appeal [1952] 1 All ER 85 Yunghanns v Elfic Pty Ltd (No 2) (2000) 1 VR 92; [2000] VSC 113 Texts Cited: Heydon JD, Cross on Evidence (2018, LexisNexis) Neville AG & Ashe AW, Equity Proceedings With Precedents (New South Wales) (1981, Butterworths) Category: Consequential orders (other than Costs) Parties: John Langley Hancock (first plaintiff) Bianca Hope Rinehart (second plaintiff) Gina Hope Rinehart (first defendant) Ginia Hope Frances Rinehart (second defendant) Hope Rinehart Welker (third defendant) Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd (fourth defendant) Hope Downs Iron Ore Pty Ltd (fifth defendant) Representation: Counsel: C H Withers w P A Meagher & A M Hochroth (plaintiffs) B McClintock SC w R Mansted (first defendant)