Seymour v Ragley Trust Company Ltd & Ors [2025] EWHC 1099 (Ch) (19 May 2025)

Seymour v Ragley Trust Company Ltd & Ors [2025] EWHC 1099 (Ch) (19 May 2025)

The irretrievable breakdown in trust and confidence between the claimant and the trustees, combined with evidence of lack of independent administration and ongoing disputes, renders the trustees' continued appointment detrimental to proper trust administration and beneficiary interests. Removal is justified to restore effective management and impartiality.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 1099 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: The Honourable William Francis Seymour, Earl of Yarmouth; First Defendant: Ragley Trust Company Limited; Second Defendant: Seymour Trust Company Limited; Third Defendant: The Honourable Henry Jocelyn Seymour, 9th Marquess of Hertford; Fourth Defendant: Beatriz Seymour, Marchioness of Hertford; Fifth Defendant: Lady Gabriella Helen Seymour; Sixth Defendant: Lord Edward George Seymour; Seventh Defendant: Lady Antonia Louisa Seymour
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
19 May 2025
Procedural Posture
Part 8 Claim for Removal of Trustees / Final Judgment
Outcome
Trustees removed and replaced
Legal Topics
Removal of Trustees, Breakdown of Trust and Confidence, Dynastic Trusts, Trustee Independence, Beneficiary Rights, Trust Administration, Letters of Wishes, Family Disputes
Trusts Property Probate Removal of Trustees Breakdown of Trust and Confidence Dynastic Trusts Trustee Independence Beneficiary Rights +3 more

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Parties

The Honourable William Francis Seymour, Earl of Yarmouth

Claimant

Ragley Trust Company Limited

First Defendant

Seymour Trust Company Limited

Second Defendant

The Honourable Henry Jocelyn Seymour, 9th Marquess of Hertford

Third Defendant

Beatriz Seymour, Marchioness of Hertford

Fourth Defendant

Lady Gabriella Helen Seymour

Fifth Defendant

Lord Edward George Seymour

Sixth Defendant

Lady Antonia Louisa Seymour

Seventh Defendant

Procedural Posture

Part 8 Claim for Removal of Trustees / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the breakdown in trust and confidence between claimant and trustees justifies removal
  2. 2 Whether trustees failed to act independently and deferred to settlor's wishes
  3. 3 Whether trustees administered trusts for benefit of estate rather than beneficiaries

Ratio Decidendi

The irretrievable breakdown in trust and confidence between the claimant and the trustees, combined with evidence of lack of independent administration and ongoing disputes, renders the trustees' continued appointment detrimental to proper trust administration and beneficiary interests. Removal is justified to restore effective management and impartiality.

Court Disposition

Trustees removed and replaced

Orders

  • Ragley Trust Company Limited and Seymour Trust Company Limited are removed as trustees of Seymour Trust No 2 Settlement, Seymour Trust No 4 Settlement, and the trusts of the will of the late 8th Marquess of Hertford.
  • An independent professional trustee is to be appointed in their place.