Prema Wheatley and 6 others v Vashti Ramlal and 2 others (Trinidad and Tobago)

Prema Wheatley and 6 others v Vashti Ramlal and 2 others (Trinidad and Tobago)

The Court of Appeal erred in overturning the trial judge's finding that the Deceased promised Vashti the Land on the Hill as her share; however, proprietary estoppel was not pleaded or established, and the demolition order for the New House was not justified and must be set aside.

Parties
Respondents: Prema Wheatley and 6 others; Appellants: Vashti Ramlal and 2 others; Intervener: Chandra
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 February 2026
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Judgment From Privy Council on Appeal From Court of Appeal of Trinidad and Tobago
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part; Court of Appeal's demolition order set aside; other orders affirmed; matter remitted to High Court for further directions.
Legal Topics
Proprietary Estoppel, Beneficiaries' Rights, Partition of Land, Demolition Orders, Findings of Fact on Appeal
Succession Law Equity Property Law Proprietary Estoppel Beneficiaries' Rights Partition of Land Demolition Orders Findings of Fact on Appeal

Case Brief

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Parties

Prema Wheatley and 6 others

Respondents

Vashti Ramlal and 2 others

Appellants

Chandra

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Judgment From Privy Council on Appeal From Court of Appeal of Trinidad and Tobago

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Court of Appeal erred in overturning the trial judge's finding that the Deceased promised Vashti the Land on the Hill as her share
  2. 2 Whether proprietary estoppel was established in favour of Vashti
  3. 3 Whether the order for demolition of the New House was proper

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal erred in overturning the trial judge's finding that the Deceased promised Vashti the Land on the Hill as her share; however, proprietary estoppel was not pleaded or established, and the demolition order for the New House was not justified and must be set aside.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part; Court of Appeal's demolition order set aside; other orders affirmed; matter remitted to High Court for further directions.

Orders

  • Demolition order for the New House set aside
  • Injunction prohibiting further construction continued until further order