Trusts Law in Australia, now in its fifth edition, provides a comprehensive and scholarly analysis of modern trusts law. Earlier editions have been praised for their utility both as a text for students and as for the sophisticated analysis of decisions they provide for practitioners.
The text is logically structured, setting out the conceptual foundations of trusts before dealing with all of the key topics including express trusts, charitable trusts, voluntary trusts, resulting trusts, constructive trusts, writing and related requirements, the rules against perpetuities and accumulations, life tenants, remaindermen, tracing, and the duties, liabilities, powers, rights, appointments, retirement and removal of trustees.
Professor Denis Ong’s meticulous analysis of both the facts and reasoning of key judgments identifies conceptual anomalies in the law, and interprets and at times critiques the relevant Australian and UK authorities. Each chapter finishes with a summary of relevant legal principles, making the book unusually accessible.
Among the important decisions included in this new edition:-
- In Korda v Australian Executor Trustees (SA) Limited (2015) 255 CLR 62, the High Court stated the requirements for establishing an intention to create an express trust.
- In Australian Financial Services and Leasing Pty Limited v Hills Industries Limited (2014) 253 CLR 560, the High Court clarified the defence of a bona fide change of position.
- In Fischer v Nemeske Pty Ltd (2016) 257 CLR 615, the High Court addressed the distinction between trust and debt.
- The Federal Court in Jones v Matrix Partners Pty Ltd [2018] FCAFC 40 and in Lane v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2017] FCA 953, and, on the other hand, the Victorian Court of Appeal in Commonwealth v Byrnes [2018] VSCA 41, disagreed on the controversial ramifications of the trustee’s right of indemnity.
- In Hasler v Singtel Optus Pty Ltd (2014) 87 NSWLR 609 and Fistar v Riverwood Legion and Community Club Ltd (2016) 91 NSWLR 732 the New South Wales Court of Appeal examined the volatile doctrine of accessory liability in equity.
