Duke of Somerset v Fitzgerald & Ors [2019] EWHC 726 (Ch) (25 March 2019)

Duke of Somerset v Fitzgerald & Ors [2019] EWHC 726 (Ch) (25 March 2019)

The arrangement constitutes a variation, not a resettlement, as the substratum and dynastic nature of the Settlement remain unchanged. The arrangement is for the benefit of unborn and unascertained beneficiaries, avoids inheritance tax charges, modernises the trust, and enlarges trustee powers. The court has jurisdiction under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958 to approve the arrangement without supplemental application under other statutes.

Citation
[2019] EWHC 726 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: John Michael Edward, Duke of Somerset DL; First Defendant: Peter Robin Fitzgerald; Second Defendant: John Samuel Christopher Eidinow; Third Defendant: Judith-Rose Duchess of Somerset; Fourth Defendant: Sebastian Edward Lord Seymour; Fifth Defendant: Lord Charles Thomas George Seymour; Sixth Defendant: Lady Sophia Rose Seymour; Seventh Defendant: Lady Henrietta Charlotte Seymour; Eighth Defendant: Francis Charles Edward Lord Francis Seymour; Ninth Defendant: Patricia Lady Francis Seymour; Tenth Defendant: Webb Edward Percy Seymour; Eleventh Defendant: Poppy Hermione Alexandra Seymour; Twelfth Defendant: Leonora Hermione Jane Seymour; Thirteenth Defendant: Hermione Anne Tara Seymour; Fourteenth Defendant: Anne Francis Mary Lady Anne Seymour
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
25 March 2019
Procedural Posture
Variation of Trusts Act 1958 Application / Judgment on Approval of Arrangement
Outcome
Arrangement approved
Legal Topics
Variation of Trusts, Perpetuity Period Extension, Administrative Powers of Trustees, Heritage Maintenance Fund, Beneficiary Class Expansion, Settled Land Act 1925 Disapplication
Trusts and Estates Property Law Variation of Trusts Perpetuity Period Extension Administrative Powers of Trustees Heritage Maintenance Fund Beneficiary Class Expansion Settled Land Act 1925 Disapplication

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Parties

John Michael Edward, Duke of Somerset DL

Claimant

Peter Robin Fitzgerald

First Defendant

John Samuel Christopher Eidinow

Second Defendant

Judith-Rose Duchess of Somerset

Third Defendant

Sebastian Edward Lord Seymour

Fourth Defendant

Lord Charles Thomas George Seymour

Fifth Defendant

Lady Sophia Rose Seymour

Sixth Defendant

Lady Henrietta Charlotte Seymour

Seventh Defendant

Francis Charles Edward Lord Francis Seymour

Eighth Defendant

Patricia Lady Francis Seymour

Ninth Defendant

Webb Edward Percy Seymour

Tenth Defendant

Poppy Hermione Alexandra Seymour

Eleventh Defendant

Leonora Hermione Jane Seymour

Twelfth Defendant

Hermione Anne Tara Seymour

Thirteenth Defendant

Anne Francis Mary Lady Anne Seymour

Fourteenth Defendant

Procedural Posture

Variation of Trusts Act 1958 Application / Judgment on Approval of Arrangement

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the proposed arrangement constitutes a variation or a resettlement of the Settlement
  2. 2 Whether the arrangement is for the benefit of unborn and unascertained beneficiaries
  3. 3 Jurisdiction of the court under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958 to restrict or enlarge trustee powers

Ratio Decidendi

The arrangement constitutes a variation, not a resettlement, as the substratum and dynastic nature of the Settlement remain unchanged. The arrangement is for the benefit of unborn and unascertained beneficiaries, avoids inheritance tax charges, modernises the trust, and enlarges trustee powers. The court has jurisdiction under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958 to approve the arrangement without supplemental application under other statutes.

Court Disposition

Arrangement approved

Orders

  • The arrangement varying the Settlement is approved under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958.
  • No supplemental application under s.64 of the Settled Land Act 1925 is required.