AB v B & Anor

AB v B & Anor

Disclosure of documents from Z Limited is necessary for the court to properly compute the value of the estate's principal asset and discharge its statutory duty under the Inheritance Act; the threshold conditions for non-party disclosure are met, and confidentiality concerns can be managed by appropriate restrictions.

Parties
Claimant: AB; First Defendant/applicant: B Trustees; Second Defendant/applicant: C; Respondent: Z Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
08 December 2025
Procedural Posture
Inheritance Act Claim / Ruling on Third Party Disclosure Application
Outcome
Application for third party disclosure granted
Legal Topics
Inheritance (provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, Third Party Disclosure, Valuation of Estate Assets, Confidentiality in Proceedings
Family Law Trusts and Estates Inheritance (provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 Third Party Disclosure Valuation of Estate Assets Confidentiality in Proceedings

Case Brief

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Parties

AB

Claimant

B Trustees

First Defendant/applicant

C

Second Defendant/applicant

Z Limited

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Inheritance Act Claim / Ruling on Third Party Disclosure Application

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether third party disclosure from Z Limited is necessary for proper valuation of estate assets
  2. 2 Whether the court can order disclosure of confidential documents from a non-party
  3. 3 Application of the 'divorce analogy' in Inheritance Act claims

Ratio Decidendi

Disclosure of documents from Z Limited is necessary for the court to properly compute the value of the estate's principal asset and discharge its statutory duty under the Inheritance Act; the threshold conditions for non-party disclosure are met, and confidentiality concerns can be managed by appropriate restrictions.

Court Disposition

Application for third party disclosure granted

Orders

  • Z Limited to provide documents and information necessary for valuation of shares held by the estate, subject to confidentiality restrictions and conditions to be determined.
  • Disclosure limited to documents that actually exist; MN to oversee valuation process and access restricted to named individuals.