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it$e : De$i&ery se$ection: (umber o) documents de$i&ered: MAF IP 1 Friday, 14 December, 2012 at 21:45 H ! "ases %i$$is & 'arron "urrent Document 1

*+eet , Ma-+e$$ is #art o) !.omson Reuters/ 0 2012 !.omson Reuters Hon1 on1 2td/

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*271 Willis and Others Appellants; v Barron and Others Respondents.

House o) 2ords 13 May 1402

[1 !"# A.$. "%1

5ar$ o) Ha$sbury 2/"/, 2ord Macna1.ten, 2ord *.and, 2ord Da&ey, 2ord 'ram#ton, and 2ord Robertson/ 1402 May 13/ Solicitor and ClientConfidential RelationMistakeRectification of DeedBenefit conferred by Client on near Relative of SolicitorDuty of SolicitorIndependent Advice. A so$icitor, +.o +as a trustee )or a married +oman under a sett$ement and a$so .er .usband6s so$icitor, #re#ared a deed by +.ic. s.e con)erred a bene)it on a son o) t.e so$icitor and renounced ri1.ts s.e .ad under t.e sett$ement/ A)ter .earin1 t.e so$icitor6s e-#$anation o) t.e deed s.e e-ecuted it:7 He$d, t.at s.e +as not bound by t.e deed, on t.e 1round t.at t.e rea$ e))ect o) it on .er ri1.ts and #osition +as not in )act e-#$ained to .er, and a$so on t.e 1round t.at it +as t.e duty o) t.e so$icitor to ta8e care t.at s.e did not e-ecute t.e deed +it.out .a&in1 inde#endent ad&ice/ !.e decision o) t.e "ourt o) A##ea$ 91400: 2 "./ 121, a))irmed/ '; a deed o) December, 1<40, to +.ic. =amon1 ot.ers> ?ose#. %i$$is, .is +i)e, and %i$$iam Moore *8inner +ere #arties, #ro#erty +as sett$ed in trust =inter a$ia> )or ?ose#. %i$$is )or $i)e, and a)ter .is deat. )or .is +i)e )or $i)e@ in de)au$t o) issue =+.ic. .a##ened> a 1enera$ #o+er o) a##ointment +as 1i&en to ?ose#. %i$$is and .is +i)e Aoint$y, and subAect t.ereto a 1enera$ #o+er o) a##ointment +as 1i&en to t.e sur&i&or, and subAect t.ereto t.e #ro#erty +as sett$ed in *272 trust as to oneB.a$) )or Frederic8 Herbert *8inner, a son o) %i$$iam Moore *8inner, abso$ute$y/ 'y a deed o) Cctober, 1<41, to +.ic. ?ose#. %i$$is and .is +i)e +ere #arties, t.e trusts o) t.e deed o) 1<40 +ere &aried by a c$ause t.at t.e #ro&ision in t.e deed o) 1<40 )or t.e bene)it o) t.e +i)e s.ou$d be construed as a #ro&ision )or .er bene)it so $on1 on$y as s.e s.ou$d remain t.e +ido+ o) ?ose#. %i$$is: a$so by t.e same deed ?ose#. %i$$is and .is +i)e in e-ercise o) t.eir Aoint #o+er o) a##ointment a##ointed t.at t.e trust )unds s.ou$d be .e$d as ?ose#. %i$$is a$one s.ou$d a##oint, and in de)au$t o) a##ointment t.en =e-c$udin1 t.e #o+er o) a##ointment by t.e +ido+ o) ?ose#. %i$$is> u#on t.e trusts dec$ared by t.e deed o) 1<40 B t.at is to say, as to oneB.a$) in trust )or F/ H/ *8inner/ ?ose#. %i$$is died in 1<43 +it.out .a&in1 e-ercised .is so$e #o+er o) a##ointment/ 'y a deed in 1<44, to +.ic. =amon1 ot.ers> .is +ido+ and %/ M/ *8inner and F/ H/ *8inner +ere #arties, it +as dec$ared t.at t.e income o) t.e trust )unds s.ou$d be #aid to t.e +ido+ o) ?ose#. %i$$is durin1 .er $i)e in t.e same manner as i) t.e )irst modi)ication c$ause .ad not been inserted in t.e deed o) 1<41, and t.at in a$$ ot.er res#ects t.e deeds o) 1<40 and 1<41 s.ou$d be con)irmed/ !.e deeds o) 1<40, 1<41 and 1<44 +ere a$$ #re#ared by %/ M/ *8inner, a so$icitor, and one o) t.e trustees under t.e deed o) 1<40/ !.e circumstances under +.ic. Mrs/ ?ose#. %i$$is e-ecuted t.e deed o) 1<41, and t.e in)ormation and ad&ice +.ic. s.e recei&ed )rom %/ M/ *8inner, and t.e re$ation in +.ic. .e stood to .er, are )u$$y discussed in t.eir 2ords.i#s6 Aud1ments/ In 1<4D s.e married t.e res#ondent 'arron, and a)ter+ards brou1.t an action a1ainst t.e trustees o) t.e deed o) 1<40 c$aimin1 a dec$aration and a recti)ication o) t.e deeds o) 1<41 and 1<44/ "oEensBHardy ?/, ta8in1 one &ie+ o) t.e )acts, dismissed t.e action/ 1 !.e "ourt o) A##ea$ =2ind$ey M/R/ and Ri1by and "o$$ins 2/??/>, ta8in1 anot.er &ie+, re&ersed t.at decision, and made an order dec$arin1 t.at t.e deed o) 1<41 +as not bindin1 on t.e #$ainti)) so )ar as it #ur#orted to de#ri&e .er o) t.e 1enera$ #o+er o) a##ointment *273 1i&en to .er by t.e deed o) 1<40@ and dec$arin1 t.at t.e deed o) 1<44 +as not bindin1 on .er so )ar as it con)irmed t.e deed o) 1<41/ 2 A1ainst t.is decision t.e trustees brou1.t t.e #resent a##ea$, +.ic., as +i$$ be seen, turned u#on t.e &ie+ +.ic. t.eir 2ords.i#s too8 o) +.at #assed bet+een Mrs/ ?ose#. %i$$is and %/ M/ *8inner in 1<41/ May 12, 13/ ar!ington" #.C., and P. S. Stokes, )or t.e a##e$$ants/ $ug%es" #.C., and As%ton Cross, )or t.e res#ondents, +ere not .eard/ 5AR2 CF HA2*'FR; 2/"/ My 2ords, I .a&e not t.e $east doubt t.at t.is Aud1ment ou1.t to be a))irmed, and I con)ess I am a $itt$e sur#rised t.at t.e $earned Aud1e +.o .eard t.e case ori1ina$$y entertained a di))erent &ie+, and I t.in8 I s.ou$d .a&e treated t.e matter &ery summari$y but )or t.e $earned Aud1e .a&in1 entertained t.at &ie+/

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My 2ords, it seems to me t.at t.ere are one or t+o 1rounds u#on +.ic. t.e deed +.ic. it is sou1.t to set aside by t.is #roceedin1 mi1.t be im#eac.ed/ I am by no means certain t.at, i) t.e +.o$e question .ad arisen in a "ourt o) $a+ u#on t.is state o) t.e e&idence, I s.ou$d not as a Auryman .a&e )ound u#on an issue o) non est )actum t.at it +as not .er deed at a$$/ It seems to me t.at s.e +as in a #osition in +.ic. it +as im#ossib$e to su##ose t.at any $ady under t.e circumstances o) t.is case cou$d )orm a Aud1ment o) .er o+n as to +.at +as t.e e))ect o) t.ese sett$ements/ And +.en s.e +as to$d t.at it +as )or t.e #ur#ose o) recti)yin1 a mista8e +.ic. .ad been made in t.e deed o) 1<40, it seems to me t.at t.at +as an untrue statement B +.et.er conscious$y or unconscious$y made I +i$$ not say@ but, at a$$ e&ents, it +as not true/ !.ere +as no mista8e made in t.e deed/ !.e deed +as e-ecuted +it. unusua$ and e-traordinary care/ !.e discussions about it e-tended o&er mont.s@ corrections +ere made )rom time to time in t.e dra)t deed by t.e #arties to it@ and not unti$ t.e #arties be1an to t.in8 +.at di))erent e&ents mi1.t occur, so *274 t.at t.e #ro#erty +ou$d be .e$d in a +ay +.ic. accordin1 to t.eir t.en &ie+ +ou$d be unAust, did anybody dream t.at any mista8e, in t.e #o#u$ar and natura$ meanin1 o) t.e +ord, occurred at a$$/ (o+, my 2ords, $et us see +.at t.e state o) )acts +as/ !.is youn1 +oman is to$d t.at t.ere +as a mista8e in t.e deed/ I +i$$ come #resent$y to t.e mode and t.e circumstances in +.ic. s.e is to$d@ but I assume )or t.e #resent #ur#ose, and I t.in8 it is estab$is.ed, t.at s.e +as to$d t.ere +as a mista8e in t.e deed/ %.at must .a&e been t.e condition o) mind o) a #erson +.o +as to$d t.atG %.ate&er ri1.ts +ere 1i&en by t.e ori1ina$ deed, as I too8 occasion to say in t.e course o) t.e ar1ument, any se$)Bres#ectin1 #erson, muc. more a #erson bound by endearin1 ties suc. as ou1.t to e-ist bet+een .usband and +i)e, +.en s.e +as to$d a mista8e .ad been made, +ou$d say at once, HI) t.ere +as a mista8e made, I +i$$ 1i&e in at once, and I +i$$ #ut it ri1.t/I !.at seems to me to be t.e most natura$ and ordinary course, 1i&in1 t.e #erson no e-traordinary credit )or &irtue or se$)Bdenia$/ 'ut su##ose, instead o) bein1 to$d t.at t.ere +as a mista8e, s.e .ad been to$d, H%.en +e made t.is deed +e 1a&e you certain ri1.ts, and it may .a##en .erea)ter t.at you +i$$ .a&e suc. and suc. contro$ and #o+er o&er t.is #ro#erty, +.ic. +e did not t.in8 o) at t.e time +e e-ecuted t.e deed, but +.ic. +e do not t.in8 you ou1.t to .a&e no+I: +ou$d not t.e attitude o) mind o) t.e #erson to +.om suc. an obser&ation as t.at +as made be entire$y di))erent )rom t.e one +.ic. I su11ested Aust no+G It does not require ar1ument, I t.in8, to ma8e t.at out/ (o+ t.is $ady a##$ies to a #erson, and t.e natura$ #erson to +.om a +i)e +ou$d a##$y under t.ese circumstances +ou$d be t.e #erson +.o .ad been t.e )ami$y so$icitor, and +.o +as .er .usband6s so$icitor, a#art )rom t.e question, +.ic. I cannot $ea&e out o) si1.t .ere, t.at .e +as .er trustee/ !.en, t.e issue bein1, %.at +as it t.at +as said to .er +.en s.e +as induced to e-ecute t.is deedG I )ind in .er crossBe-amination B o) muc. o) +.ic. I disa##ro&e, )or )rom time to time +ords +ere #ut into .er mout. as i) s.e .ad said *275 t.em, t.ou1. s.e .ad not B +.at seems to me to be o&erB+.e$min1$y conc$usi&e about t.is matter@ not a statement a$one by .er, but an assum#tion by t.e $earned counse$ +.o is crossBe-aminin1 .er: H=J/> Do you mean to te$$ .is 2ords.i# t.at you did not 8no+ #er)ect$y +e$$ t.at t.e deed +as a$tered in connection +it. +.at your .usband .ad been sayin1G =A/> (o, I did not/ =J/> %.at do you t.in8 it +as a$tered )orG =A/> !o recti)y mista8es t.at .ad been made/ =J/> %.at mista8esG =A/> I do not 8no+/ =J/> Did not you as8G =A/> (o, I e-#ected it +as a$$ ri1.t/ =J/> ;ou 8ne+ it +as to a$ter t.e sett$ementG =A/> ;es, o) course, it +as a$terin1 it/ =J/> And you 8ne+ t.at a)ter t.e sett$ement .ad been made your .usband .ad com#$ained and ta$8ed in t.is &io$ent +ay to you about your )ami$y and about .is money 1oin1 to t.em B you 8ne+ t.atG =A/> Cn$y )rom +.at Mr/ *8inner .ad said to .im/ =J/> ;ou 8ne+ itG =A/> ;es/ =J/> !.en you 8ne+ t.at accordin1 to your .usband6s &ie+ t.ere +as a mista8e in t.is sett$ement, +.ate&er t.e mista8e +asG =A/> ;es/ =J/> And you 8ne+ t.at it +as to recti)y a mista8e t.at .e .ad )ound in t.e sett$ementG =A/> ;es/I (o+, my 2ords, it is mani)est t.at +.at t.e $ady is assentin1 to is +.at is actua$$y #ut to .er by t.e $earned counse$ +.o a##ears a1ainst .er/ He assumes as t.e resu$t o) t.e e&idence be)ore .im B and I su##ose u#on .is instructions t.at t.at +as t.e state o) )acts B t.at t.at +as +.at +as to$d .er/ I) so, it is im#ossib$e to doubt t.at t.at +as a misre#resentation/ It is a$$ &ery +e$$ to say t.at t.e +ord Hmista8eI may be used in a #o#u$ar and ambi1uous sense/ I am not quite certain t.at I understand +.at is meant by t.at/ I) it is meant t.at t.ere +as a mista8e made at t.e time o) t.e e-ecution o) t.e deed o) 1<40, it is not true/ I) it is meant t.at a)ter )u$$ consideration and a)ter t.e $a#se o) si- mont.s t.e #arties .ad be1un to t.in8 a1ain +.at +ou$d be t.e e))ect o) t.e deed +.ic. t.ey .ad a$ready e-ecuted +it. #er)ect 8no+$ed1e, and +it. 1reat de$iberation, and t.ou1.t t.at t.e e))ect o) it mi1.t be di))erent )rom +.at t.ey .ad at )irst su##osed, t.en t.at is not a Hmista8eI in any sense, but it is somet.in1 +.ic. s.e+s t.at +.en t.ey .ad considered t.e *276 matter more mature$y, or in &ie+ o) some )acts +.ic. a)ter+ards .a##ened, t.ey t.ou1.t, not indeed t.at it +as a mista8e at a$$, but t.at in &ie+ o) e&ents )o$$o+in1 t.e deed, #erad&enture t.e arran1ement t.ey .ad made in t.e deed mi1.t .a&e a di))erent e))ect

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)rom +.at t.ey .ad antici#ated it +ou$d/ 'ut +.at t.enG It +as not a mista8e at a$$/ (o mista8e +as made at t.e time o) t.e e-ecution o) t.e deed in 1<40@ but t.ey t.ou1.t better o) it/ *u##ose t.ey .ad said to t.is $ady, H%e .a&e c.an1ed our minds@ +e do not +ant to 1i&e you suc. ri1.ts as t.ose +e 1a&eI B I .a&e a$ready commented u#on +.at +ou$d be t.e resu$t o) t.at/ (o+, my 2ords, +.at seems to me, +it. t.e utmost res#ect to t.e $earned Aud1e +.o )ound t.e ot.er +ay, and to t.e "ourt o) A##ea$, +.ose Aud1ment I t.in8 ou1.t to be a))irmed, I t.in8 t.at none o) t.e "ourts .a&e reco1nised +.at a##ears to me to be t.e accumu$ated )orce o) a$$ t.is/ Here +as a youn1 +oman +it.out ad&ice/ *.e .ad be1un, un)ortunate$y, by reason o) .er .usband6s .abits o) drin8, to contem#$ate a se#aration/ *.e 1oes to t.is 1ent$eman and as8s .im )or ad&ice/ He says .e did not 8no+ s.e came to .im as a so$icitor/ He says t.ere +as no entry in .is boo8 ma8in1 .er .is c$ient/ It seems to me t.at t.at is rea$$y b$indin1 one6s eyes to t.e course o) .uman e&ents/ *.e +ent to .im as a )riend/ In one sense s.e did not 1o to .im as a so$icitor at a$$, I a1ree@ but s.e +ent to .im as t.e natura$ #erson to +.om to a##$y )or #rotection/ He says t.at .e stated t.e )acts and .e did not ad&ise .er/ I +i$$ not Au11$e +it. +ords/ I 8no+ +.at s.e +ent )or, )rom t.e statement o) bot. o) t.em B s.e +ent t.ere to consu$t a )riend/ He +as a so$icitor too, and .e +as .er trustee/ %as .e under no duty to .is cestui que trust to te$$ .er +.at .er ri1.ts +ere, and +.at t.e ri1.ts +ere +.ic. s.e +as 1i&in1 u#G My 2ords, it seems to me, I con)ess, .ard$y susce#tib$e o) ar1ument/ He +as under a duty as a )riend, as a so$icitor, and as .er trustee, to ta8e care t.at s.e t.orou1.$y understood +.at +as t.e su##osed error +.ic. .ad been made in t.e )irst instance, and to ma8e .er understand +.at t.e e))ect o) +.at s.e +as doin1 +as/ *.e says in t.e most natura$ +ay t.at s.e did not 8no+ +.at it +as/ *.e *277 +as to$d t.at t.ere +as a mista8e, and o) course .e +as to a$ter t.e sett$ement/ (o+, I &enture to say s.e did not 8no+ +.at t.e mista8e +as/ !.ere is not a sin1$e +ord )rom be1innin1 to end t.rou1.out t.e course o) t.e e&idence 1i&en by t.is 1ent$eman .imse$) to t.e e))ect t.at .e e&er did e-#$ain to .er +.at t.e Hmista8e,I as .e ca$$ed it, +as, and +.at t.e e))ect u#on .er ri1.ts +ou$d be/ He says t.at .e t.orou1$y e-#$ained t.e deed/ ;our 2ords.i#s .a&e seen t.e deed, and you +i$$ )orm your o+n Aud1ment o) +.at sort o) de)inite idea t.ere +ou$d be in t.e mind o) t.is youn1 +oman +.en t.is deed +as read o&er to .er and e-#$ained/ My 2ords, I .a&e t.ou1.t it ri1.t to say so muc. out o) res#ect )or t.e $earned Aud1e, +.o too8 a di))erent &ie+, a$t.ou1. it a##ears to me to be abundant$y c$ear +.at t.e Aud1ment o) t.e House must be/ I mo&e your 2ords.i#s t.at t.is a##ea$ be dismissed +it. costs/ 2CRD MA"(AKH!5(/ My 2ords, I am o) t.e same o#inion/ *#ea8in1 )or myse$), I t.in8 t.is is a #$ain case/ I do not at a$$ concur +it. an obser&ation to be )ound in one o) t.e Aud1ments o) t.e "ourt o) A##ea$ B t.at t.e case is &ery near t.e $ine/ I t.in8 it is #er)ect$y #$ain@ and, a$t.ou1. t.e crossBe-amination +as #rotracted and di))use and as #er#$e-in1 =I s.ou$d )ancy> to t.e $ady +.o +as crossBe-amined as it .as been to some o) your 2ords.i#s, t.e case rea$$y $ies +it.in a &ery narro+ com#ass/ In my o#inion it de#ends on a )e+ )acts +.ic. .a&e not been and +.ic. cannot be contro&erted/ My 2ords, in *e#tember, 1<41, Mr/ ?ose#. %i$$is, +.o is no+ dead, and .is +i)e, Annie 'ut$er %i$$is, a)ter+ards Mrs/ 'arron, t.e #$ainti)), +ere $i&in1 to1et.er/ !.e re$ations bet+een t.em +ere &ery strained, not on account o) any )au$t o) .ers, but on account o) t.e intem#erate .abits o) .er .usband/ He seems to .a&e been drin8in1 .imse$) to deat. as )ast as .e cou$d, and e-ce#t in sober inter&a$s .e be.a&ed to .is +i)e bruta$$y and coarse$y/ (o+, at t.at time, under a deed made in 1<40, #ro#erty to t.e amount o) about 15,000$/ +as in sett$ement/ !.e )irst $i)e interest +as 1i&en to Mrs/ *278 Ann %i$$is, t.e mot.er o) ?ose#. %i$$is/ *ubAect t.ereto, t.ere +as a $i)e interest 1i&en to ?ose#. %i$$is +it. certain #ro&isions intended to #rotect .im )rom t.e consequences o) .is o+n misconduct, and t.en Annie 'ut$er %i$$is, t.e +i)e, .ad a $i)e interest/ In t.e e&ent o) t.ere bein1 no issue, and in de)au$t o) t.e e-ercise o) a Aoint #o+er o) a##ointment, t.e sur&i&or o) t.e .usband and +i)e .ad an abso$ute #o+er o) dis#osition o&er t.e #ro#erty/ !.ere +as an u$timate trust in )a&our o) a cousin o) Mr/ %i$$is and Frederic8 Herbert *8inner, t.en a minor, in equa$ s.ares/ !.e sett$ed #ro#erty be$on1ed ori1ina$$y to Mrs/ Ann %i$$is and Mr/ ?ose#. %i$$is B t.e youn1er Mrs/ %i$$is did not contribute anyt.in1 to it/ *o )ar as s.e +as concerned t.e sett$ement +as &o$untary@ but t.e interest s.e too8 under t.e sett$ement +as as muc. .er #ro#erty as i) s.e .ad #ro&ided t.e +.o$e or t.e 1reater #art o) t.e )und/ !.e sett$ement +as #re#ared by Mr/ %i$$iam Moore *8inner, +.o seems to .a&e been a so$icitor in $ar1e #ractice/ He +as a &ery intimate )riend o) t.e %i$$is )ami$y, .e +as t.e )ami$y so$icitor, .e +as t.e )at.er o) Frederic8 Herbert *8inner, and .e +as a trustee o) t.e sett$ement/ My 2ords, I do not attribute anyt.in1 $i8e dis.onourab$e conduct to Mr/ *8inner/ I .a&e read t.e +.o$e o) t.e e&idence and a$$ t.e $etters, and I do not t.in8 t.ere is any 1round )or attributin1 anyt.in1 dis.onourab$e to .im@ but I do t.in8 t.at .e ne1$ected .is duty on more t.an one occasion/ I t.in8 it +as a &ery un)ortunate t.in1 t.at .e #ermitted .imse$) to acce#t t.is 1i)t in )a&our o) .is son +it.out ta8in1 t.e ordinary #recautions +.ic. t.e $a+ requires in suc. a case/ I cannot .e$# t.in8in1 t.at a 1reat dea$ o) t.e di))icu$ty in t.is case .as arisen )rom .is .a&in1 ne1$ected .is duty on t.at occasion/ In .is conduct to+ards t.e #$ainti)), I t.in8 .e ne1$ected .is duty

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o&er and o&er a1ain@ .e seems to .a&e been a+are t.at .e .ad a duty to .er, but .is attem#ts to )u$)i$ t.at duty +ere )eeb$e, and in t.e resu$t mis$eadin1/ In *e#tember, 1<41, t.ere +as a 1ood dea$ o) discussion bet+een Mrs/ Ann %i$$is and .er son and t.e so$icitor about t.ese un)ortunate di))erences, as t.ey are ca$$ed, bet+een t.e .usband and t.e +i)e/ In t.e course o) t.ose inter&ie+s t.e *279 sett$ement came u# )or discussion, and t.en, a##arent$y )or t.e )irst time, Mrs/ Ann %i$$is and Mr/ ?ose#. %i$$is e-#ressed t.eir dissatis)action +it. t.e contents o) t.e sett$ement, as bein1 too $ibera$ to youn1 Mrs/ %i$$is, and t.ey to$d Mr/ %i$$iam Moore *8inner to .a&e it a$tered to .er detriment/ He $aid instructions be)ore counse$ +it.out sayin1 anyt.in1 to youn1 Mrs/ %i$$is, t.ou1. on$y a )e+ days be)ore s.e .ad .ad an inter&ie+ +it. .im on business/ He says s.e +as not consu$tin1 .im on t.at occasion@ but +.et.er s.e +ent to .im as )riend or so$icitor, s.e did in )act consu$t .im on a &ery de$icate matter as re1ards .er re$ations +it. .er .usband and .er interest in t.e sett$ed #ro#erty/ Ho+e&er, be)ore .e sent t.e instructions to counse$ .e did not t.in8 it necessary or ri1.t to consu$t .er, or e&en to intimate to .er .usband or to .er .usband6s mot.er t.at s.e ou1.t to be consu$ted/ At t.e conc$usion o) .is instructions to counse$ .e says: HI) any di))icu$ty s.ou$d arise as re1ards t.e assent o) Mrs/ %i$$is, AuniorI =it is c$ear, t.ere)ore, t.at .e .ad not 1ot .er assent at t.at time, and t.at .e t.ou1.t it #ossib$e t.at t.ere mi1.t be some di))icu$ty about it>, Hit is assumed t.e "ourt o) t.e ".ancery Pa$atine o) Dur.am +i$$ be com#etent to recti)y t.e sett$ement in t.e +ay desired, and t.at no "ourt o) $a+ +ou$d .esitate to 1rant t.e re$ie) as8ed )rom it/I "ounse$ +as o) a &ery di))erent o#inion/ He sett$ed t.e deed as requested, but at t.e end o) t.e dra)t .e #ut t.is note: HAs re1ards t.e action o) t.e "ourt, it does not a##ear to me t.at any a$teration cou$d be obtained, )or, a$t.ou1. t.e #ro&isions are some+.at unusua$, it seems to me c$ear t.at t.e sett$ement +as made on )u$$ consideration, and t.e "ourt +ou$d on$y inter)ere on t.e 1round t.at t.e trusts +ere contrary to t.e intentions o) t.e #arties at t.e time o) e-ecution o) t.e sett$ement/ I cannot see .o+ t.is cou$d be #ro&ed to t.e satis)action o) t.e "ourt/I !.at +as t.e o#inion o) t.e 1ent$eman +.o +as concerned in t.e #re#aration o) t.e ear$ier deed, and +.o .ad 1one t.rou1. it at t.e time &ery care)u$$y +it. Mr/ *8inner/ !.e dra)t +as sett$ed on *e#tember 22, 1<41/ %.at does Mr/ *8inner do t.enG He does not send it to t.e $ady and e-#$ain it to .er, or anyt.in1 o) t.e 8ind/ He sends a )air *280 co#y o) it to t.e .usband +it. t.is $etter: HDear *ir, B %e be1 to inc$ose you a )air co#y o) t.e #ro#osed deed to recti)y your marria1e sett$ement/I !.at is .is descri#tion o) t.e deed Aust a)ter .e .ad been to$d +.at .e must .a&e 8no+n B t.at recti)ication +as out o) t.e question/ HP$ease read it o&er to your +i)e, and see i) it meets .er a##ro&a$ as +e$$ as your o+n/ I) it does, return same to us, +.en +e +i$$ .a&e it en1rossed ready )or t.e si1nature o) a$$ #arties +it.out de$ay/I *o t.at .e seems to .a&e considered e&en t.en t.at .e .ad a duty to t.e +i)e@ but .e em#$oys t.e .usband B a &ery e-traordinary medium considerin1 +.at .ad #assed quite $ate$y at t.e inter&ie+ bet+een .im and t.e $ady B .e em#$oys t.e .usband to e-#$ain to .er t.e #ro#riety o) t.e +.o$e o) .er interest bein1 ta8en a+ay in t.e e&ent o) .er marryin1 a)ter .is deat./ It is not sur#risin1 t.at Mr/ %i$$is, actin1 on Mr/ *8inner6s .int, to$d .is +i)e t.at t.e deed +as to correct a mista8e in t.e sett$ement/ !.en .e sent bac8 t.e dra)t by .is mot.er/ (ot.in1 )urt.er too8 #$ace ti$$ *e#tember 30/ Cn t.at date Mr/ *8inner c.ose an e-traordinari$y ino##ortune time )or e-#$ainin1 matters to t.is $ady/ He +as ca$$ed in to ma8e a +i$$ )or .er mot.er, +.o +as on t.e #oint o) deat. or, at any rate, in a most critica$ condition, and t.en .e says .e e-#$ained e&eryt.in1 to .er/ *.e says s.e does not remember anyt.in1 o) t.e 8ind/ I t.in8 it is e-treme$y $i8e$y, considerin1 t.e #osition in +.ic. s.e +as at t.at time, t.at s.e #aid &ery $itt$e attention to +.at +as 1oin1 on, and t.e +.o$e t.in1 may .a&e &anis.ed )rom .er mind@ but $et us ta8e Mr/ *8inner6s o+n account o) it: HI sa+ t.e #$ainti)),I .e says, Hin t.e dinin1Broom o) .er mot.er6s .ouse, and I e-#$ained to .er t.at Mrs/ %i$$is and .er son .ad ca$$ed u#on me in t.e +ay I .a&e a$ready stated, and t.at t.ey desired to .a&e t.e deed a$tered )or t.e #ur#ose o) de#ri&in1 .er o) t.e $i)e interest +.ic. s.e too8 under t.e ori1ina$ sett$ement, cuttin1 do+n t.at interest to an interest durin1 .er +ido+.ood, and de#ri&in1 .er o) t.e #o+er o) dis#osin1 o) t.e #ro#erty #ro&ided s.e sur&i&ed .er .usband +it.out t.eir .a&in1 Aoint$y e-ecuted it/I !.en come t.ese +ords: HI e-#$ained it as c$ear$y as it +as #ossib$e )or me to do, and as it +as my duty to do/I *o *281 t.at .e #$ain$y reco1nises t.at t.ere +as a duty cast u#on .im +it. re1ard to t.is $ady/ He .ad t.e duty, as .e says, o) e-#$ainin1 it@ s.e did not 1o to .im )or e-#$anation@ .e came to .er/ He )e$t t.at .e .ad t.is duty@ but +.at on eart. +as t.e use o) e-#$ainin1 +.at +as 1oin1 to .a##en to .er un$ess .e a$so e-#$ained to .er c$ear$y +.at .er #osition +as, and +.at course +as o#en to .er and +.at s.e ou1.t to do under t.e circumstancesG I quite be$ie&e +.at s.e says, t.at s.e +ent t.rou1. +it. t.e e-ecution o) t.is deed under t.e im#ression t.at it +as mere$y to correct a mista8e +.ic. .ad been made in t.e ori1ina$ sett$ement/ Her .usband certain$y to$d .er so/ Mr/ *8inner admits, or .a$) admits, t.at .e to$d .er so too/ He +i$$ not s+ear t.at .e did not use t.e +ord Hmista8eI in s#ea8in1 to .er/ Puttin1 out o) consideration t.e )act t.at Mr/ *8inner6s son 1ot a 1reat ad&anta1e, I must say I t.in8, e&en i) t.e #erson +.o +as t.e u$timate remainderman .ad been no connection o) Mr/ *8inner, t.ere +ou$d .a&e been am#$e 1round to set aside t.is deed, considerin1 t.at Mr/ *8inner +as .er )ami$y so$icitor, t.e #erson to +.om s.e +ou$d natura$$y 1o )or ad&ice, and t.at .e +as a$so .er trustee/ It ma8es it rat.er stron1er +.en you see t.at t.e e))ect o) t.is a$teration +as to ma8e certain, or a$most certain, a 1i)t in )a&our o) Mr/ *8inner6s son +.ic. +as contin1ent and doubt)u$ unti$ t.e deed +as e-ecuted/

PageL

My 2ords, I .a&e no .esitation in concurrin1 in t.e motion +.ic. .as been #ro#osed/ I t.in8 t.is a##ea$ ou1.t to be dismissed +it. costs/ 2CRD *HA(D/ My 2ords, I am entire$y o) t.e same o#inion/ I concur in a$$ t.e obser&ations t.at .a&e been made by my nob$e and $earned )riends, t.e 2ord ".ance$$or and 2ord Macna1.ten, and I s.a$$ add on$y a )e+ +ords to +.at t.ey .a&e said/ It a##ears to me to be quite #$ain t.at it +as t.e duty o) Mr/ *8inner on t.e occasion o) t.e e-ecution o) t.e deed o) 1<41 to .a&e required t.at t.e $ady s.ou$d #ut .er interests into ot.er .ands, and t.at .e s.ou$d not .a&e been t.e #erson to ad&ise .er u#on t.ose interests/ I t.in8, $oo8in1 at t.e re$ations bet+een t.e #arties, $oo8in1 to t.e *282 )act t.at Mr/ *8inner +as a )riend and +as trustee in t.e administration o) t.e )unds u#on +.ic. s.e +as de#endent )or .er subsistence t.rou1. .er .usband, and t.at .e +as .er a1ent, as I ta8e it .e +as, in t.e circumstances +.ic. .a&e been disc$osed, it +as c$ear$y .is duty to require t.at s.e s.ou$d 1et inde#endent ad&ice/ It is said t.at .e e-#$ained t.e matter to .er/ I a1ree +it. my nob$e and $earned )riend, 2ord Macna1.ten, in t.in8in1 t.at t.at e-#$anation +as not su))icient or satis)actory, e&en as stated by Mr/ *8inner .imse$), as 1i&en to .er in t.e e&enin1 at .er mot.er6s .ouse, but +.ic. is, .o+e&er, dis#uted or denied by .er@ but, +.ate&er e-#$anation may .a&e been 1i&en, I do not t.in8 t.at e-#$anation by .im +as enou1./ I t.in8, $oo8in1 at t.e circumstance t.at t.ere +as a 1reat disad&anta1e to Mrs/ %i$$is in t.e e-ecution o) t.is deed in +.ic. s.e +as renouncin1 &a$uab$e interests B at t.e circumstance t.at at t.e same time a bene)it +as bein1 1i&en to Mr/ *8inner6s o+n son by t.at act o) renunciation, and at t.e circumstance o) Mr/ *8inner6s #osition as $a+ a1ent, as I t.in8 s.e +as entit$ed to ta8e .im as bein1 at t.e time B $oo8in1 at t.ese circumstances, I am c$ear$y o) o#inion t.at not.in1 s.ort o) #uttin1 t.e interests o) t.is $ady into ot.er .ands +ou$d .a&e satis)ied t.e case, or .a&e a&oided t.e $e1a$ resu$t +.ic. no+ )o$$o+s/ An inde#endent a1ent +ou$d, it may be assumed, .a&e e-#$ained to .er t.at t.e deed +as not )or t.e #ur#ose o) mere$y correctin1 a mista8e, but +as intended materia$$y to a$ter .er #osition, and to cut do+n, and on .er #art to renounce, im#ortant #ecuniary ri1.ts/ 5&en $ayin1 out o) &ie+ t.e ad&anta1e to be 1ained by Mr/ *8inner, Aunior, t.e obser&ations o) counse$ +ou$d in a$$ #robabi$ity .a&e been )orcib$y $aid be)ore .er/ !o t.is inde#endent ad&ice I t.in8 s.e +as entit$ed/ I am o) o#inion, t.ere)ore, +it. your 2ords.i#s, t.at t.e Aud1ment a##ea$ed )rom ou1.t to be a))irmed/ 2CRD DAM5;/ My 2ords, I am o) t.e same o#inion, and I do not t.in8 it necessary to ma8e any detai$ed e-amination o) t.e )acts o) t.e case +.ic. are brou1.t out in t.e e-amination and crossBe-amination o) t.e +itnesses, as I a1ree +it. +.at *283 .as been said on t.at #oint by my nob$e and $earned )riend on t.e %oo$sac8 and my nob$e and $earned )riend o##osite, 2ord Macna1.ten/ !.e )irst question is to inquire +.at t.e deed o) 1<41, +.ic. +as sou1.t to be set aside by t.is action, did@ and I )ind t.at it did t+o t.in1s, and t+o t.in1s on$y/ In t.e )irst #$ace, it cut do+n t.e $i)e interest +.ic. t.e #$ainti)) +as entit$ed to durin1 .er $i)e, in case s.e sur&i&ed .er .usband, to an estate so $on1 on$y as s.e s.ou$d remain .is +ido+ and not marry a1ain@ second$y, it made a materia$ a$teration as to .er interest in t.e ca#ita$ )und, and indeed it de#ri&ed .er o) any #ros#ect o) s.arin1 in t.e ca#ita$ )und, )or +.ereas under t.e ori1ina$ deed s.e +ou$d .a&e .ad a Aoint #o+er o) a##ointment +it. .er .usband durin1 t.eir Aoint $i&es, and i) s.e sur&i&ed .im a se#arate #o+er o) a##ointment, s.e 1a&e u# bot. .er Aoint #o+er durin1 t.eir Aoint $i&es, and a$so t.e c.ance o) .a&in1 a #o+er o) dis#osition in case s.e sur&i&ed .er .usband/ (o+, my 2ords, it +i$$ be obser&ed t.at t.ose a$terations in t.e deed +ere concessions +.ic. came entire$y )rom .er side, and t.at no a$teration +as made in .er )a&our, and no consideration o) any sort or 8ind, no quid #ro quo, +as #ro&ided )or .er by t.e deed/ My 2ords, t.e ne-t question I as8 is, %.at +as t.e #osition o) Mr/ %i$$iam Moore *8innerG Mr/ *8inner +as .er .usband6s so$icitor, and indeed .e +as t.e so$icitor )or t.e +.o$e )ami$y, and not on$y )or t.e +.o$e )ami$y, but it a##ears t.at .e a$so attended Mrs/ 'ro+n, t.e #$ainti))6s mot.er, +.en s.e +as on .er deat.bed, and I t.in8 made Mrs/ 'ro+n6s +i$$ )or .er/ 'ut .e +as more t.an t.at/ He +as a$so a &ery intimate )ami$y )riend o) t.e %i$$is )ami$y, inc$udin1 t.e #$ainti)) and .er .usband, and +as a trustee under t.e ori1ina$ sett$ement/ My 2ords, I t.in8 it is a sound obser&ation t.at a +i)e usua$$y .as no so$icitor o) .er o+n a#art )rom .er .usband, and I t.in8 s.e is #rimN )acie entit$ed to $oo8 to .er .usband6s so$icitor, t.e so$icitor o) .er .usband6s )ami$y, )or ad&ice and assistance unti$ t.at so$icitor re#udiates t.e ob$i1ation to 1i&e suc. ad&ice, and requires .er to consu$t anot.er 1ent$eman/ (o+, my 2ords, t.e resu$t o) t.e e&idence u#on my mind, *284 +it.out 1oin1 into detai$s, is t.at t.is $ady did in )act re$y u#on Mr/ %i$$iam Moore *8inner to ad&ise and assist .er as .er so$icitor/ I do not )ind t.at Mr/ *8inner e&er re#udiated t.e ob$i1ation to ad&ise t.e #$ainti))/ I am a+are t.at .e says t.at .e +as some+.at sore at t.e su11estion t.at .e .ad made a mista8e +it. re1ard to t.e ear$ier deed, and t.at .e required not Mrs/ %i$$is on$y but .er .usband and .er to 1o and consu$t anot.er so$icitor across t.e street/ 'ut, my 2ords, t.at is a &ery di))erent t.in1 )rom ad&isin1 t.e #$ainti)) to be ad&ised by a so$icitor se#arate )rom .er .usband/ !.e su11estion

PageD

+.ic. .e says .e made +as t.at t.ey s.ou$d bot. 1o and consu$t anot.er so$icitor/ %.at .e ou1.t to .a&e done +as to ad&ise .er to consu$t a so$icitor se#arate )rom and inde#endent o) .er .usband/ It is to be obser&ed t.at t.e deed +as in )act #re#ared by .im on be.a$) o) a$$ #arties, and I cannot )ind t.rou1.out t.is $on1 e&idence t.at any su11estion +as e&er made by anybody t.at it .ad been #erused or sett$ed by any #erson on .er be.a$)/ !.ere)ore, I ta8e it to be c$ear t.at .e +as t.e on$y so$icitor actin1 )or .er in t.e matter, and t.at .e +as t.e so$icitor +.o #re#ared and #erused and sett$ed t.e deed on be.a$) o) a$$ #arties/ Indeed, Mr/ *8inner seems to .a&e acce#ted t.at situation, and to .a&e ta8en some #ains to e-#$ain t.e contents o) t.e deed to t.e #$ainti))/ 'ut, as Ri1by 2/?/ says, t.at +as not enou1./ *.e required not on$y e-#$anation as to t.e meanin1 o) t.e deed, but +.at s.e +anted +as, or +.at s.e .ad a ri1.t to $oo8 )or +as, ad&ice as to .er ri1.ts/ My 2ords, t.e ne-t question I as8 is, %.at +as t.e 8no+$ed1e o) t.e #$ainti)) and t.e in)ormation 1i&en to .er as to t.e circumstances and t.e #ur#ose )or +.ic. t.e deed +as to be e-ecutedG Cn t.ose #oints, a1ain, I +i$$ not troub$e your 2ords.i#s by readin1 $on1 #assa1es )rom t.e e&idence, because I a1ree +it. t.e 2ord ".ance$$or t.at t.e in)ormation 1i&en to .er, and .er be$ie) )ounded u#on t.at in)ormation, +as t.at a mista8e .ad been made in dra+in1 u# t.e #re&ious deed, and t.at a$$ t.at +as as8ed o) .er +as to #ut ri1.t or recti)y a mista8e +.ic. .ad been made B inad&ertent$y made B by t.e #arties/ *285 (o+, my 2ords, it is o) course a common#$ace to #oint out t.e +ide$y di))erent #osition o) a +oman +.o is as8ed to #ut ri1.t a mista8e made in a deed under +.ic. s.e deri&es &ery considerab$e ad&anta1es, and t.at o) a +oman +.o is as8ed, t.e #arties to a deed +.ic. con)erred an ad&anta1e u#on .er .a&in1 c.an1ed t.eir minds, +.et.er s.e +i$$ assist t.em to carry out, not t.eir ori1ina$ mind and intention, but t.eir ne+ mind and intention/ It is admitted by t.e $earned counse$ )or t.e a##e$$ants =and t.e admission cou$d not .a&e been a&oided> t.at t.ere is no e&idence t.at any mista8e o) )act .ad rea$$y been made in dra+in1 u# t.e #re&ious deed/ %.at +e must understand is, t.at t.e #arties, .a&in1 rea$iEed t.e e))ect o) +.at t.ey .ad done, .ad c.an1ed t.eir minds/ (o+, i) s.e .ad consu$ted a se#arate so$icitor .e +ou$d .a&e to$d .er t.at it +as not a case o) a mista8e +.ic. any #erson o) ri1.t )ee$in1 +.o +as ta8in1 a 1i)t )rom ot.ers mi1.t .a&e considered .imse$) under an ob$i1ation to #ut ri1.t/ In suc. circumstances I s.ou$d t.in8 most )airBminded #ersons +ou$d say, HI +i$$ not acce#t a 1i)t +.ic. .as been made to me under a mista8e/I I) s.e .ad consu$ted a se#arate so$icitor, .e +ou$d .a&e to$d .er +.at .er rea$ #osition +as, and +.at +ere t.e ri1.ts +.ic. s.e +as entit$ed to under t.at deed@ at t.e $o+est, .e +ou$d #robab$y .a&e succeeded in ma8in1 a bar1ain and securin1 )or .er counter&ai$in1 ad&anta1es in #$ace o) t.ose +.ic. s.e +as as8ed to 1i&e u#/ My 2ords, I t.ere)ore t.in8 t.at t.e Aud1ment o) t.e "ourt o) A##ea$ in t.is case must be a))irmed, on t.e 1round t.at t.e #$ainti)) did not understand t.e #ur#ose and intention or t.e true e))ect o) t.e deed o) 1<41, and t.at suc. )ai$ure to 1ras# t.e true e))ect o) t.e deed arose )rom Mr/ *8inner, +.o .ad assumed t.e #osition and t.e ob$i1ation o) ad&isin1 .er, .a&in1 )ai$ed to 1i&e .er #ro#er ad&ice/ My 2ords, t.e a$terations made in t.e deed made an im#ortant di))erence in t.e #osition o) youn1 Mr/ *8inner, +.o +as entit$ed to a moiety o) t.e ca#ita$ in de)au$t o) t.e e-ercise o) any o) t.e #o+ers o) a##ointment +.ic. +ere 1i&en by t.e sett$ement/ In t.e )irst #$ace, .is #ros#ect o) succeedin1 to a s.are o) t.e ca#ita$ de#ended on t.e sin1$e contin1ency on$y o) ?ose#. %i$$is dyin1 +it.out .a&in1 e-ercised t.e #o+er o) *286 a##ointment, instead o) t.e doub$e contin1ency o) t.e Aoint #o+er not bein1 e-ercised and t.e +i)e bein1 t.e sur&i&or =+.ic. e&ent actua$$y .a##ened> and .er not e-ercisin1 t.e #o+er/ He a$so 1ained a considerab$e ad&anta1e by .is #ros#ect o) succeedin1 to t.e ca#ita$ bein1 acce$erated by t.e #$ainti))6s $i)e interest bein1 cut do+n to an interest durin1 +ido+.ood on$y/ I t.ere)ore t.in8 t.at t.e decision o) t.e "ourt o) A##ea$ may a$so be su##orted u#on t.e 1round u#on +.ic. t.e $earned Aud1es o) t.e "ourt o) A##ea$ based it, name$y, t.at Mr/ %i$$iam Moore *8inner6s son cou$d not ta8e a bene)it )rom t.e #$ainti)) +it.out s.e+in1 t.e ri1.teousness o) t.e transaction, or, in ot.er +ords, t.at s.e .ad inde#endent ad&ice and assistance as to .er ri1.ts and rea$ #osition/ I t.ere)ore concur in t.e Aud1ment +.ic. .as been #ro#osed/ 2CRD 'RAMP!C(/ My 2ords, t.e deed o) 1<40 +as a$$ t.e #arties intended it s.ou$d be and no more/ A)ter t.e deed +as e-ecuted t.e sett$ors c.an1ed t.eir minds and desired to $imit t.e bene)its it con)erred on t.e #$ainti))/ !.is cou$d on$y be done by 1ettin1 t.e #$ainti)) to si1n t.e deed in question to e))ect t.is a$teration/ !.e deed +as accordin1$y #re#ared, and in order to obtain t.e #$ainti))6s e-ecution o) it s.e +as to$d it +as to recti)y a mista8e in t.e ori1ina$ deed/ !.ere +as no mista8e B t.e #arties meant a$$ t.at +as in t.e deed o) 1<40/ It +as in )act untrue to say t.ere .ad been any mista8e at a$$/ I a1ree in a$$ t.at .as been said by my nob$e and $earned )riend on t.e %oo$sac8, and my ot.er nob$e and $earned )riends +.o .a&e e-#ressed t.eir &ie+s, and in t.e Aud1ment #ro#osed/ 2CRD RC'5R!*C(/ My 2ords, I entire$y a1ree/

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Representation
*o$icitors: 'a$)our A$$an , "o/, )or *8inner, ".urc. , Mic.ae$, *under$and@ %ynneB'a-ter , eeb$e, )or 'e$don , Ac8royd, 'rad)ord/&rder of t%e Court of Appeal affir!ed and appeal dis!issed 'it% costs. (ords) *ournals" May +," +-./.
1/ 2/ 91<44: 2 "./ 5D</ 91400: 2 "./ 121/

=c> Incor#orated "ounci$ o) 2a+ Re#ortin1 )or 5n1$and , %a$es0 2012 *+eet , Ma-+e$$