Whyman v Public Trust

[2005] NZSC 12

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND

SC 4/2005 [2005] NZSC 12

BETWEEN  LYNDA JEAN WHYMAN Appellant

ANDPUBLIC TRUST Respondent

Court:            Keith J and Blanchard J Counsel:         G J Toebes for Appellant

M L Greenhough for Respondent

Judgment:      23 March 2005

JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

A.       Leave to appeal is granted.

B.       The approved grounds of appeal are:

1.Whether, when a surviving de facto partner has chosen option B under s 61 of the Property (Relationships) Act

1976,  s  95  of  that  Act  precludes  an  application  under s 25(1)(a)  by  a  personal  representative  of  the  deceased partner  for  a  division  of  the  relationship  property  with leave granted under s 88(2) of the Act?

2.If such an application is not precluded , whether the grant of administration to the Public Trustee should nevertheless be set aside and a grant made to the appellant?

Solicitors:
Buddle Findlay, Wellington for Appellant

Public Trust Office, Lower Hutt, for Respondent

Lynda Jean Whyman V Public Trust SC SC 4/2005 []