Manoogian, Archbishop v Sonsino & Ors [2002] EWHC 1304 (Ch) (5 July 2002)

Manoogian, Archbishop v Sonsino & Ors [2002] EWHC 1304 (Ch) (5 July 2002)

The proper law of the settlement is England and Wales, the trust objects are wholly charitable, Clause 4 creates only two objects, and the National Westminster Bank plc is the sole trustee within the jurisdiction.

Citation
[2002] EWHC 1304 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem; 1st Defendant: Yolande Sonsino; 2nd Defendant: National Westminster Bank plc; 3rd Defendant: Her Majesty’s Attorney General
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
05 July 2002
Procedural Posture
Chancery Trusts/charities / Judgment After Hearing on Construction and Validity of Trust
Outcome
Declaratory judgment
Legal Topics
Proper Law of Trusts, Charitable Status of Trusts, Construction of Trust Instruments, Jurisdiction of English Courts Over Charities
Trusts and Estates Charity Law Proper Law of Trusts Charitable Status of Trusts Construction of Trust Instruments Jurisdiction of English Courts Over Charities

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Parties

His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem

Claimant

Yolande Sonsino

1st Defendant

National Westminster Bank plc

2nd Defendant

Her Majesty’s Attorney General

3rd Defendant

Procedural Posture

Chancery Trusts/charities / Judgment After Hearing on Construction and Validity of Trust

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the proper law of the settlement?
  2. 2 Does Clause 4 of the settlement create more than one object for the trust income?
  3. 3 Are the objects of the trust wholly charitable?

Ratio Decidendi

The proper law of the settlement is England and Wales, the trust objects are wholly charitable, Clause 4 creates only two objects, and the National Westminster Bank plc is the sole trustee within the jurisdiction.

Court Disposition

Declaratory judgment

Orders

  • The proper law of the settlement is England and Wales.
  • Clause 4 of the settlement has only two objects.