Fafalios & Ors v Apodiacos & Ors [2020] EWHC 1189 (Ch) (13 May 2020)

Fafalios & Ors v Apodiacos & Ors [2020] EWHC 1189 (Ch) (13 May 2020)

The 1935 Declaration is void as the Cemetery Trustees had no power to alter the original charitable purpose set out in the 1860 Declaration of Trust. Surplus funds must be applied for burial purposes only. The assembly of the Cathedral cannot direct the use of surplus funds for wider charitable purposes. A cy-près scheme is required to clarify the beneficiary class for burial rights, not for surplus fund usage.

Citation
[2020] EWHC 1189 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: Mr Stamos J Fafalios; Claimant: Mr Michael F Lykiarpopulo; Claimant: Mr John M Lyras; Claimant: Mr Michael C Lemos; Claimant: Mr Anastassis N Fafalios; Defendant: Mr Costas Apodiacos; Defendant: Mr Anthony John Woodwell Burton; Defendant: Mr Vassilis Zarifis; Defendant: Mr Michael Los; Defendant: Mr Nikolaos Skinitis; Defendant: Mr Panayotis Voudris; Defendant: Her Majesty's Attorney General
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
13 May 2020
Procedural Posture
Claim for Declaration and Cy Près Scheme / Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Claim dismissed in respect of declaration sought; cy-près scheme required for beneficiary clarification.
Legal Topics
Interpretation of Trust Deeds, Cy Près Doctrine, Charitable Purpose, Trustee Powers, Void for Uncertainty
Charity Law Trusts Law Property Law Interpretation of Trust Deeds Cy Près Doctrine Charitable Purpose Trustee Powers Void for Uncertainty

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Parties

Mr Stamos J Fafalios

Claimant

Mr Michael F Lykiarpopulo

Claimant

Mr John M Lyras

Claimant

Mr Michael C Lemos

Claimant

Mr Anastassis N Fafalios

Claimant

Mr Costas Apodiacos

Defendant

Mr Anthony John Woodwell Burton

Defendant

Mr Vassilis Zarifis

Defendant

Mr Michael Los

Defendant

Mr Nikolaos Skinitis

Defendant

Mr Panayotis Voudris

Defendant

Her Majesty's Attorney General

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Claim for Declaration and Cy Près Scheme / Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Meaning and effect of the 1860 Declaration of Trust
  2. 2 Validity of the 1935 Declaration
  3. 3 Identity of the 'Greek Community of London'

Ratio Decidendi

The 1935 Declaration is void as the Cemetery Trustees had no power to alter the original charitable purpose set out in the 1860 Declaration of Trust. Surplus funds must be applied for burial purposes only. The assembly of the Cathedral cannot direct the use of surplus funds for wider charitable purposes. A cy-près scheme is required to clarify the beneficiary class for burial rights, not for surplus fund usage.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed in respect of declaration sought; cy-près scheme required for beneficiary clarification.

Orders

  • 1935 Declaration declared void for uncertainty and lack of power.
  • Cemetery Trustees to apply for cy-près scheme to clarify beneficiary class.