Barras v. Scottish Widows' Fund and Life Assurance Society [1900] ScotLR 37_831 (27 June 1900)

Barras v. Scottish Widows' Fund and Life Assurance Society [1900] ScotLR 37_831 (27 June 1900)

A postnuptial trust provision in favour of a wife and children, being reasonable in amount and duly delivered and intimated, is not revocable by the husband, even with the consent of the wife, children, and trustees.

Citation
[1900] ScotLR 37_831
Parties
Pursuer: Dr James Barras; Defender: Scottish Widows' Fund and Life Assurance Society
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Judgment Date
27 June 1900
Procedural Posture
Civil / Appeal From Dismissal of Action at First Instance
Outcome
appeal dismissed; judgment for defenders; action dismissed
Legal Topics
Postnuptial Provision, Revocation of Trust, Husband and Wife, Parent and Child, Alimentary Provision

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Parties

Dr James Barras

Pursuer

Scottish Widows' Fund and Life Assurance Society

Defender

Procedural Posture

Civil / Appeal From Dismissal of Action at First Instance

  1. 1 Whether a husband can revoke a postnuptial trust provision in favour of his wife and children with their consent and that of the trustees
  2. 2 Whether the provision is revocable if it is reasonable in amount and has been delivered and intimated

Ratio Decidendi

A postnuptial trust provision in favour of a wife and children, being reasonable in amount and duly delivered and intimated, is not revocable by the husband, even with the consent of the wife, children, and trustees.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed; judgment for defenders; action dismissed

Orders

  • Court adhered to the Lord Ordinary's decision dismissing the action.