Rupert Jolyon Richard St. John Webster v (1) Alison Virginia Ashcroft (2) John Francis Penley (3) Jennifer St. John Webster (4) Ian Rory St. John Webster and (5) Antonia Mary Sloane [2011] EWHC 3848 (Ch) (20 December 2011)

Rupert Jolyon Richard St. John Webster v (1) Alison Virginia Ashcroft (2) John Francis Penley (3) Jennifer St. John Webster (4) Ian Rory St. John Webster and (5) Antonia Mary Sloane [2011] EWHC 3848 (Ch) (20 December 2011)

Rupert has no locus standi to pursue the proprietary estoppel claim as the equity is vested in the Official Receiver, Valentine’s trustee in bankruptcy; summary judgment granted on this sole basis.

Citation
[2011] EWHC 3848 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: Rupert Jolyon Richard St. John Webster; 1st Defendant: Alison Virginia Ashcroft; 2nd Defendant: John Francis Penley; 3rd Defendant: Jennifer St. John Webster; 4th Defendant: Ian Rory St. John Webster; 5th Defendant: Antonia Mary Sloane
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 December 2011
Procedural Posture
Contentious Probate and Constructive Trust/proprietary Estoppel Claim / Summary Judgment Application
Outcome
Summary judgment granted dismissing proprietary estoppel claim due to lack of locus standi.
Legal Topics
Contentious Probate, Constructive Trust, Proprietary Estoppel, Secret Trust, Locus Standi, Bankruptcy and Vesting, Summary Judgment
Probate Trusts Property Law Family Law Contentious Probate Constructive Trust Proprietary Estoppel Secret Trust +3 more

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Parties

Rupert Jolyon Richard St. John Webster

Claimant

Alison Virginia Ashcroft

1st Defendant

John Francis Penley

2nd Defendant

Jennifer St. John Webster

3rd Defendant

Ian Rory St. John Webster

4th Defendant

Antonia Mary Sloane

5th Defendant

Procedural Posture

Contentious Probate and Constructive Trust/proprietary Estoppel Claim / Summary Judgment Application

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether claimant has locus standi to pursue constructive trust/proprietary estoppel claim
  2. 2 Whether proprietary estoppel claim is vested in Official Receiver due to bankruptcy
  3. 3 Whether secret trust exists and is enforceable

Ratio Decidendi

Rupert has no locus standi to pursue the proprietary estoppel claim as the equity is vested in the Official Receiver, Valentine’s trustee in bankruptcy; summary judgment granted on this sole basis.

Court Disposition

Summary judgment granted dismissing proprietary estoppel claim due to lack of locus standi.

Orders

  • Rupert appointed as personal representative of Valentine’s estate in separate proceedings.
  • Jennifer remains a party to proceedings; application for removal refused.