Equity and Law of Trusts Course Outline 2024-Revised
Equity and Law of Trusts Course Outline 2024-Revised
Equity and Law of Trusts Course Outline 2024-Revised
COURSE BREAKDOWN
A. GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
1. Course description
Equity and trusts is a unique branch of civil law based on a body of principles made by the
Courts of Chancery, that focusses on bringing balance to the legal system, particularly the
Common Law. The law of trusts was constructed as an adjunct to the law of property, to tend
to situations in which one person holds legal title to a property, but the courts decided it is
fair, just or "equitable" that another person should benefit from the property.
2. Content
With regards to equity, this unit will therefore focus on meaning, nature and origin of equity
and its application within the East African context; maxims of equity; and equitable remedies
(Injunctions, specific performance, accounts, declarations, receivership, repudiation and
restitution).
The Law of Trusts part will focus on; definition of a trust, origin of trusts, terms associated
with trusts, relevant principles of trusts law, common uses of trusts; nature of trusts;
comparison of trusts and other relationships; classifications of trusts; creation of trusts (trust
created by the act of other parties, trusts created by operation of the law, express private
trusts, secret trusts); the three certainties; constructive trusts; charitable trusts; trustees
(capacity, number, appointment of trustees, powers and duties of trustees, vesting of trust
property, retirement of trustees and removal of trustees); trust accounts
3. Mode of instruction
The course will be presented to students in the following format: -
i. Lectures
ii. Tutorials
iii. Group discussions and presentations
iv. Individual presentations
v. Case studies
vi. Problem based learning and mooting.
4. Expected learning outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, the students are expected to be able to:-
i. Trace the historical development from common law to application of equity in Kenya
and
East Africa.
ii. Demonstrate a trust, the concept of trusteeship and the nature of a trust;
iii. Explain powers and duties of a trustee and the rights of beneficiaries;
iv. Explain the application of equitable remedies to legal problems;
v. Explain the relationship between equity and law and identify the position and
application of the law of equity in the Kenyan legal system;
vi. Prepare trust accounts;
5. Course assessment
Grading will be in accordance with Mount Kenya University Grading Policy. A student will
be assessed through: -
i. Continuous Assessments Tests (30%)
ii. Final Examination (70%)
TOTAL 100%
6. Course requirements
i. Class attendance and class participation
Class attendance is mandatory, however students who have medical, family or other
emergencies over the course of the semester are strongly advised to inform the administration,
lecturer and class representative.
Class participation is highly encouraged.
ii. Academic honesty
Students enrolled in this course are expected to exercise a high degree of honesty and
integrity in class attendance, participation, assignments and examinations.
NOTE
All students are expected to have done advance reading before the lectures
The Course Director / Lecturer reserves the right to alter the mode of administering
the Continuous Assessment Tests
The Course Director / Lecturer shall assign specific additional reading during the
course of the semester
The Course Director / Lecturer reserves the right to change the chronology of
delivery of the topics and to make alterations to the course outline.
Penner, J. (2016) The Law of Trusts, 10th ed., Oxford University Press
Pettit, P. (2012), Equity and the Law of Trusts, 12th ed., Oxford University Press
Bakibanga, D.J., (2011), Equity and Law of Trusts, Professional Book Publishers
Hayton, David J. & Marshall (1992), Commentary and Cases on the Law of Trusts and
Equitable Remedies, Sweet & Maxwell
Gardner Simon (2003), An Introduction to the Law of Trusts, 2nd Edition, Oxford University
Press 4
Oakley, A.J. (2008), Parker & Mellows: The Modern Law of Trusts, 9th ed., Sweet &
Maxwell
Burn, E. & G. Virgo (2004) Maudsley and Burn’s Trusts and Trustees, 6th ed., Oxford
University Press
Fryer, A. (1990) The Accounts of Executors: Administrators & Trustees, London McGraw
Hill
Gary Watt (2012) Trusts and Equity 5th ed., Oxford University Press
Jill E. Martin (2009) Modern Equity 18th ed., London : Sweet & Maxwell
Todd and Watt’s, (2011) Cases and Materials on Equity and Trusts, 8th ed., Oxford University
Press
Henry, E. et al, Snell, Principles of Equity, 27th Ed, Sweet & Maxwell
Statutes
The above materials contained herein are not exhaustive. Students are advised that further
readings may be provided during classes.
N/B: Kenyan case laws can be obtained from the Kenya Law website (www.kenyalaw.org).
For England and American case law, students are advised to look up the databases hosted at
http://www.bailii.org/ and http://www.law.cornell.edu/ respectively.
WEEK 1 I. INTRODUCTION
i. Course description
ii. Course content and course outline
Case law
Re Diplock [1948] Ch. 465
Re National Assurance Co. [1878] 10 Ch. D
Gilles v. Department of Human Resources Development, 11
California Rept. 3rd, 313
Re National Assurance Co. [1878] 10 Ch. D
The Earl of Oxford case [1615] 21 ER 485
Tulk v. Moxhaney [1848] 18 LJ 88
Formbay v. Barker [1903] 2 Ch. 539
Marquis of Waterford v. Night [1844] 11 cl. & f 633
Heath v. Ridley [1614] Cro. Jac. D. 9
Walsh v. Lonsdale [1882] vol 2 Ch. D. 9
Case law
Ambalal and Co. v. Bowry [1953] 23 EACA 68 (U)
Abdul Karim Khan v. Mohammed Roshan [1965] EA 289, 294-
269
Malek Sultan v. Jeraj [1955] EACA 142
Rajab Binti Salim v. Hamad bin Sulaiman [1962] EA 248
Bishan Singh Chadha v. Mohiner Singh [1956] All ER
Shallo v. Maryam [1967] EA 409
Wakf Commissioners v. Public Trustee [1956] EA 368
Patel v. Thakore [1965] EA 629
National House Ltd. V. The Kenya Farmers Association Ltd
[1956] EA 96
Walsh v. Lonsdale [1882] vol 2 Ch. D. 9
Bilous v. Bilous [1957] EA 69
Century Automobiles Ltd. V. Hutchings Biemer Ltd. [1965] EA
304
Nurdin Bandali v. Lombak Tanganyika Ltd. [1963] EA 304
Re Commissioner of Income Tax [1891] AC 531
Re Diplock [1948] Ch. 465
Case law
Bendall v. Mc Whitter [1952] 2 QB 466
Nagel v. Fielden [1966] QB 689
Lord Dudley and Ward v. Lady Dudley [1705] Prec. Cha. 241,
244
Re Bostocks Settlements [1912} 2 Ch. 469
Sextorn v. Horton [1926] 38 ELR 240
Holmes v. Millage [1893] QB 551
Edward v. Deckard [1909] 2 KB 903
Graf v. Hope Building Co-operation [1920] New York Supreme
Court
Gibb v. Guild [1882] 9 QB 59
Willoughby v. Willoughby [1756] 1 Term. Rep 763
Chillingworth v. Chambers [1896] 1 Ch. 685
Inglis v. Commonwealth Trading Firm of Australia [1972] ALR
591
Campbell Discount Co Ltd. V. Bridge [1962] AC 600
Meyers v. Casey [1913] 17 CLR 9
Re Diplock [1948] Ch. 465
Cadman v Horner [1810] 34 ER 221
Cory v. Gertken [1816] 36 ER 250
Overton v. Bannister [1884] 3 Hare 503; [1884] 67 ER 479
Kettles and Gas Appliances Ltd. V. Anthony Horden and sons
[1834] 35 SR (NSW)
Harigan v. Brown [1967] 1 NSWR 342
Northern Counties of England Fire Insurance Co. v. Whipp
[1884] 2 Ch. D. 482
Stocks v. Dobson [1853]
Caliseh v. Forbes [1871] 7 Ch. App 109
Mutual Life Insurance Society v. Langley [1886] 32 Ch. D. 460
Smith v. Clay [1767] 3 BRO CC 639
Erlanger v. New Sombrero Phosphate Co [1873]
Hunter v. Gibbons [1856] 156 ER 1281
Gibb v. Guild [1882]
Re Steel [1979] Ch. D. 219
Kivuitu v. Kivuitu [1991] 2 KAR 241
Griffiths v. Griffiths [1973] 1 WLR 1454
Fredrick v. Fredrick [1821] 24 ER 582; 93 ER 632
Howe v. Earl of Dexmouth [1802]
Parkin v. Thorold [1852] 16 Beav 59
Re. Kayford [1975] 1WLR 279
Penn v. Lord Baltimore [1750]
Richard v. West Partners (Invernes) Ltd. V. Dick [1969] 1 All
ER
Webb v. Webb [1994] QB 696
Case law
Doulton Potteries Ltd. V. Bronotte [1974] 1 NSW 591
Shah v. AG [1970] EA 216
Sachoo v. Jopkins [1958] EA 463
AG v. Block [1959] EA 180
Glyn v. Keele University [1971] 1 WLR 487
Giella v. Cassman Brown [1973] EA 358
E.A. Industries v. Trufoods Ltd [1972] EA 420
America Cynamide v. Ethicon Ltd [1975] 2WLR 316
Central Bank of Kenya & Another v. Uhuru Highway
Authorities, Kamlesh Pattni and 3 others (unreported civil
appeal No. 91 of 1991)
Kenya Tea Development Authority v. Mombasa Exchange Ltd
(High Court of Kenya at Nairobi, civil case no of 1992)
Mareva Campania Naveira SA v. International Bulk Carriers SA
[1980] 1 All ER 213
Red and Bricks Ltd. V. Morris [1970] AC 652
AG for the Dominion of Canada v. Ritchie [1919] AC 999
Wolverhampton v. Walsall [1873]
AG v. Harris [1960] 3 All ER 407
Jeffreys v. jeffreys [1841] Cr. & Ph. 138
Rigby v. Connel [1880] 4 Ch. D 482
South African Territories Ltd. v. Wallington [1898] AC 309
Beswick v. Beswick [1968] AC 58; [1967] 2All ER
Manchester Breweries co. v. Combs [1901] 2 Ch 608
MacKenzie v. Coulson [1869] LR HEQ 469
WEEK 6 CAT 1
Rescission
Declaration
Accounts
Receivers
Case law
Gist v. Bailey [1967] Ch 532
Phillips v. Brooks Ltd. [1919] 2 KB 243
Erlanger v. New Sombrero Phosphate Co [1873]
Case law
The Earl of Oxford’s Case (1615) 1 Rep. Ch. 1
Cowan v Scargill [1985] Ch. 270
Pilcher v Rawlins (1872)
Peter Gitonga v. Francis Maingi M’Ikiara; Meru HC.CC No. 146
of 2000
Kanyi v. Muthiora 1984 K.L.R 712 (C.A),
Macharia Kihari v. Ngigi Kihari Civil Appeal No. 170 of 1993
Westdeutsche Landesbank v. Islington [1996] 2 All E.R. 961
Re Baden’s Deed Trusts [1973] Ch. 9
McPhail v. Doulton (1971) A.C. 424
Re Cockburn’s Wills Trust (Cockburn v. Lewis [1957] 1 Ch. 438.
Commissioner of Stamp Duties V. Livingstone [1965] A.C. 694
Re Leigh’s Wills Trust [1970] Ch. 227
Saunders v Vautier (1841) 4 Beav. 115
Case law
Re Estate of The Late Gedion Manthi Nzioka (Deceased) [2015]
eKLR
Lady Naas v Westminster Bank Ltd [1940] AC 366
Milroy v. Lord (1862) 4 De G.& J. 264
Strong v. Bird (1874) LR 18 Eq 315
Cain v. Moon (1896) 2 Q.B. 283
Benson Mutuma Muriungi v C.E.O. Kenya Police Sacco &
another [2016] eKLR
Michael Murage Njunge v Joseph Gathanwa Njunge [2014] eKLR
Dillwyn v. Llewelyn (1862) 4 De G.F. & J. 517
C. SECRET TRUSTS
Case law
Knight v. Knight (1840) 3 Beav 148
Re Diggles (Gregory v. Edmonson (1888) 39 Ch.D 253
Lambe V. Eames (1871) E.R. Ch. App 57
Mussoorie Bank Ltd v. Raynor (1882) 7 App. Cas 321
Re Adams & Kensington Vestry [1884] LR 27 ChD 394
Comiskey V. Bowring –Hanbury (1905) A.C. 84
Palmer v Simmonds (1854) 2 Drew 221
Re London Wine Co (Shippers) Limited (1975) 126 NLJ 977
Boyce v. Boyce (1849) 16 Sim 476
Re Kolb’s Wills Trusts (1962) Ch. 531
Morice v Bishop of Durham [1804] EWHC Ch
Re Barlow’s Will Trusts [1979] 1 All ER 296
Inland Revenue Commission v. Broadway Cottages CA 26, (1954)
McPhail v. Doulton 1971 A.C. 424
Re Gestetner Settlement (1953) Ch. 672
McPhail v. Doulton 1971 A.C. 424
McCormick v. Grogan (1869)
Ottaway v. Norman [1971] All ER 1325
Estate of Lucien Freud (2014)
Re Colin Cooper [1939] 3 All ER 586
Blackwell v. Blackwell [1929] AC 318
Re Rees [1920] 2 Ch 59
Re Stead) (1903) 1 IR 73
Walgrave v. Tebbs (1855) 25 L.J.Ch 241
Re Boyes (1884) 32 WR 630
Re Keen’s Estate (1937) 1 All ER 452
Re Young (1951) 2 All ER 1245
Re Pughs Wills Trust (1887) WN 143
Re Rees (1920) 2 Ch 59
D. CHARITABLE TRUSTS
i. Features of Charitable Trusts
ii. Four heads of charity
Trusts for the Relief of Poverty
Trusts for the Advancement of Education
Trusts for the Advancement of Religion
Trusts for other Purposes Beneficial to the Community
Case law
WEEK 11 CAT 2
WEEK 12 &13
F. CONSTRUCTIVE TRUSTS
G. DISCRETIONARY TRUSTS
H. PROTECTIVE TRUSTS
I. QUISTCLOSE TRUST
Case law
Macharia Mwangi Maina & 87 Others v. Davidson Mwangi
Kagiri, CA NO. 26 & 27 OF 2011 (Nyeri)
Mombasa Bricks & Tiles Ltd & 5 others v Arvind Shah & 7 others
[2019] eKLR
Mara v. Browne (1896) 1 Ch. 199
Soar v. Ashwell (1893) 2 Q.B. 390
Boursot v. Savage (1866) L.R. 2 Eq. 134
Lysaght v. Edwards (1876) 2 Ch.D. 499
Keech v. Sanford (1726) Sel. Cas. King 61; 25 E.R. 223
McComick v. Grogan (1869) L.R. 4
Regal (Hastings) Ltd v. Gulliver & Others [1942] 1 All E.R. 378
Cleaver v. Mutual Reserve Fund Life Association (1892) 1 Q.B.
147
Re K [1986] Ch. 180
Duffour v. Pereira (1769) 2 Hargr, Jurid. Arg. 304
Re Locker’s Settlement [1977] 1 W.L.R. 1323
Re Smith, Public Trustee v. Aspinall [1928] Ch. 915
McPhail v. Doulton [1974] A.C. 424
R.A. Securities Ltd v. Mercantile Credit Co Ltd [1995] 3 All E.R.
214
Re Kayford [1975] 1 W.L.R. 279
Farepak Foods & Gifts Ltd. [2006] EWHC 3272
Re Nanwa Gold Mines Ltd[1955] 1 W.L.R. 1080, Re Australian
Elizabethan Theatre Trust (AETT) (1991) 30 FCR 491
Barclays Bank Ltd v Quistclose Investments Ltd [1970] AC 567
WEEK 14
IV. CY-PRÈS DOCTRINE
V. WAQF
Case law
Re Rymer [1895] 1 Ch 19
Re Spence [1978] 3 All ER 92
Biscoe V. Jackson [1887] 35 Ch.D 460
Re Satterwaite [1966]1 WLR 277
Re Finger’s Wales Trust [1972] Ch. 286
Chichester Diocesan Fund v Simpson (1944) 2 All ER 60
Re Clarke (1923)
Attorney-General v The Ironmongers’ Company [1834] EngR
1042
Re Lysaght v. The Royal College of Surgeons [1965] 3 W.L.R.
391(Ch.D.)
Re North Devon & West Somerset Relief Fund [1953] 1 WLR
1260
Peggs and Others v Lamb and Others: ChD 20 Apr 1993
Oldham Borough Council v Attorney General: CA 28 Jul 1992
VI. TRUSTEES
i. Appointment of Trustees
ii. Duties of Trustees
iii. Powers of Trustees
iv. Breach of Trust
v. Retirement of Trustees
vi. Investments by Trustees Generally
Operations of Investments
Nature of Trust Accounts
Duties of the trustees with regard to accounts
Rights of Beneficiaries
vii. Documents
Case law
Course Instructors:
Approved by: