Crane v Crane [1949] HCA 52

Crane v Crane [1949] HCA 52

The will's provisions do not rebut the application of the rule of convenience; the class of beneficiaries (children of George Joseph Crane) was closed when the eldest child attained twenty-one. Maintenance and advancement clauses in the will do not indicate an intention to keep the fund together or defer enjoyment, so William Clement Crane born later has no entitlement.

Jurisdiction
Australia
Procedural Posture
Appeal / High Court of Australia Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
['interpretation of Wills' 'class Closing Rules' 'advancement Clauses' 'residuary Gift']

Case Brief

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Procedural Posture

Appeal / High Court of Australia Judgment on Appeal

  1. 1 ['Whether a child born after the eldest child attained twenty-one is entitled to an interest in the residuary estate' 'Interpretation of maintenance and advancement clauses as affecting the class closing rule' 'Disposition of share of a daughter who died unmarried under twenty-one']

Ratio Decidendi

The will's provisions do not rebut the application of the rule of convenience; the class of beneficiaries (children of George Joseph Crane) was closed when the eldest child attained twenty-one. Maintenance and advancement clauses in the will do not indicate an intention to keep the fund together or defer enjoyment, so William Clement Crane born later has no entitlement.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • ['Appeal dismissed.' 'Costs of all parties to the appeal to be paid out of the estate; those of the trustees as between solicitor and client.']