Neutral Citation Number: [2014] EWHC 542 (Fam) Case No: FD06F00 10 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE FAMILY

DIVISION !o"al Courts o# $usti%e &tran'( )on'on( WC2* 2)) Date: 0+,0+,2014 Before : MRS JUSTICE PARKER --------------------Between : HEATHER ILOTT % $n& % '() DAVID ROBERT MITSON '*) MICHAEL PETER LANE ' er+on$! re re+ent$t",e+ of t-e &e#e$+e&) '.) THE BLUE CROSS '/) ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS '0) ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ----------------------------------------Mr Jo-n Co!!"n+ (./o a00eare' 0ro bono) #or t/e A !"#$nt M+ Pene!o e Ree& 1C (instru%te' b" 2"!+on+ So!"#"tor+ LLP) #or t/e .r&3 /t- $n& 0tRe+ on&ent+ Hearin1 'ates: 16 2%tober 201+ --------------------A !"#$nt

(+t Re+ on&ent *n& Re+ on&ent .r& Re+ on&ent /t- Re+ on&ent 0t- Re+ on&ent

JUDGMENT A+ $ ro,e& 45 t-e J6&7e If t-"+ A ro,e& J6&78ent

9!& $:&;3CE 4*!<E! ;/e =u'1e /as 1i8en lea8e #or t/is 8ersion o# t/e =u'1ment to be re0orte'

MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

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Mr+ J6+t"#e P$r9er :

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;/is is an a00eal brou1/t b" a Claimant a1ainst a 'e%ision on >uantum in an a00li%ation un'er t/e 3n/eritan%e (4ro8ision #or Famil" an' De0en'ants) *%t 15?5 ma'e b" Distri%t $u'1e 9illion( as /e t/en .as( on ? *u1ust 200?6 ;/e !es0on'ents( t/ree %/arities( no. see7 to u0/ol' /is ori1inal a.ar'6 ;/e 'e%ease' .as 9elita $a%7son an' t/e Claimant /er estran1e' 'au1/ter6 ;/e a%tion .as brou1/t a1ainst t/e 0ersonal re0resentati8es o# t/e 'e%ease' an' t/e t/ree %/arities t/e bene#i%iaries un'er t/e 'e%ease'@s .ill6 ;/e 0ersonal re0resentati8es 0la"e' no 0art in t/e 0ro%ee'in1s6 ;/e !es0on'ents resiste' t/e %laim6 ;/e" %onten'e' t/at t/e Claimant /a' not satis#ie' t/e #irst A1ate.a"B /ur'le 0ursuant to t/e *%t( namel" t/at s/e /a' not establis/e'( in /er 0arti%ular %ir%umstan%es( t/at t/e .ill 'i' not ma7e reasonable 0ro8ision #or /er6 ;/e Claimant /a' le#t /ome in /er late teens an' marrie' a man .it/ ./om s/e /as /a' #i8e %/il'ren6 ;/e 'e%ease' 0ro#oun'l" 'isa1ree' .it/ /er li#est"le %/oi%e an' an irre%on%ilable ri#t 'e8elo0e' bet.een t/em6 *ttem0ts at re%on%iliation .ere unsu%%ess#ul6 Distri%t $u'1e 9illion #oun' t/at t/e main res0onsibilit" #or t/e ri#t la" .it/ t/e 'e%ease' alt/ou1/ t/e Claimant an' /er /usban' bore some o# t/e res0onsibilit" #or t/e 'i##i%ulties6 ;/e Claimant an' /er /usban' an' #amil" li8e mo'estl" in a /ousin1 asso%iation /ouse in t/e Home Counties6 ;/e" are /ea8il" 'e0en'ent on state bene#its6 ;/e Claimant 'oes not .or7( an' /er /usban'@s in%ome is small6 ;/e" are in re%ei0t o# /ousin1 bene#it( %oun%il taC bene#it an' taC %re'it6 Distri%t $u'1e 9illion /el' t/at t/e #a%t t/at t/e Claimant .as an a'ult 'i' not 'ebar /er #rom establis/in1 t/at t/e .ill 'i' not ma7e reasonable 0ro8ision #or /er6 He #oun' t/at it .as rele8ant t/at s/e .as o# limite' means6 He #oun' t/at t/e re=e%tion b" t/e 'e%ease' o# /er onl" %/il' at t/e a1e o# se8enteen( t/en maintaine' #or t/e rest o# /er li#e( .as unreasonable6 ;/at /a' le' to t/e 'e%ease' unreasonabl" eC%lu'in1 /er 'au1/ter #rom an" #inan%ial 0ro8ision in /er .ill( 'es0ite /er 'au1/ter@s ob8iousl" %onstraine' an' nee'" #inan%ial %ir%umstan%es an' .is/ #or an' attem0ts at re%on%iliation6 He /el' t/at t/e reasons 1i8en b" t/e 'e%ease' #or eC%lu'in1 /er 'au1/ter( set out in letters .ritten in 15 4 an' 2002( bot/ %ontaine' a number o# #a%tual ina%%ura%ies in t/e attem0t to eC0lain /er 'e%ision( ./i%/ a''s to an' su00orts t/e un#airness6 He re#erre' to t/e =u'1ment o# 2li8er $ in Re Coventry [15 1] CH64616 &ub=e%t to t/e %ourt@s 0o.ers un'er t/e *%t( a 0erson ma" 'is0ose o# 0ro0ert" in ./i%/e8er .a" /e or s/e 0leases6 Dut t/e %ourt must 'e%i'e ./et/er( Anot =ust t/at t/e 'e%ease' a%te' unreasonabl"( but t/at( loo7e' at ob=e%ti8el"( /is 'is0osition or la%7 o# 'is0osition 0ro'u%es an unreasonable result in t/at it 'oes not ma7e an" or an" 1reater 0ro8ision #or t/e a00li%ant E an' t/at means( in t/e %ase o# an a00li%ant ot/er t/an t/e s0ouse( #or t/at a00li%ant@s maintenan%e6B

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MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

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3n Espinosa v Bourke [1555] 1F)! ?4? Dutler-&loss )$ sai' t/at i# an a00li%ant is o# .or7in1 a1e( .it/ a =ob or %a0able o# obtainin1 a =ob ./i%/ .oul' be a8ailable( At/e #a%t t/at is in #a8our o# /is %laim #or #inan%ial 0ro8ision ma" not be o# mu%/ .ei1/t in t/e s%ales F /o.e8er F t/e %ase s/oul' not be a00roa%/e' u0on a 0re%on%ei8e' notion t/at t/ere .as a /ea8" bur'en on a00li%ants o# #ull a1e6 3n t/ese 'a"s ./ere 0ersons .it/out >uali#i%ations #in' it 'i##i%ult to #in' em0lo"ment( t/e %ourt s/oul' not a00roa%/ t/e >uestion o# ./at is t/e a00ro0riate maintenan%e .it/ an" 0re%on%ei8e' 8ie.6 *ll t/e %ir%umstan%es o# t/e a00li%ant must be %onsi'ere'6B

Distri%t $u'1e 9illion %on%lu'e' t/at it .as an Aunreasonable resultB t/at no 0ro8ision at all .as ma'e at all #or t/e Claimant in %ir%umstan%es ./ere s/e .as in some #inan%ial nee'6 AHo.e8er( 3 also a%%e0t t/at [t/e Claimant] /as not /a' an" eC0e%tan%" o# an" 0ro8ision #or /ersel#6 [;/e Claimant an' /er /usban'] /a8e mana1e' t/eir li#e o8er man" "ears .it/out an" eC0e%tan%" t/at [t/e Claimant] .oul' re%ei8e an"t/in16 ;/at 'oes not mean t/at t/e result is a reasonable one in t/e straitene' #inan%ial %ir%umstan%es o# t/e #amil"6 Dut it 'oes mean( in m" =u'1ment( t/at an" 0ro8ision must no. be limite'6B

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;/e =u'1e t/en .ent on to 'etermine( on t/e material a8ailable to /im( t/at a00ro0riate 0ro8ision .oul' be a lum0 sum o# G50(0006 ;/e Claimant a00eale' to t/e Hi1/ Court in res0e%t o# >uantum6 ;/e !es0on'ents %ross-a00eale' bot/ a1ainst t/e 'etermination t/at t/e .ill 'i' not ma7e reasonable 0ro8ision #or t/e Claimant an' >uantum6 3t .as t/eir %ase t/at t/eir a00eal in res0e%t o# t/e A1ate.a"B( as 3 /a8e %alle' it( s/oul' be /ear' #irst6 ;/e a00eal .as a00arentl" /ear' b" Eleanor <in1 $ un'er some 0ressure o# time6 3t .as %onten'e' t/at i# s/e #oun' in #a8our o# t/e Claimant in res0e%t o# t/e A1ate.a"B 0ro8ision t/en t/e Claimant@s a00eal in res0e%t o# >uantum .oul' #all a.a"6 &/e a%%e0te' t/at ar1ument6 &/e allo.e' t/e !es0on'ents@ a00eal6 ;/e Claimant a00eale' to t/e Court o# *00eal6 ;/e Court o# *00eal allo.e' t/e a00eal6 3t /el' t/at t/e Distri%t $u'1e /a' ma'e a 8alue =u'1ment a00l"in1 t/e %riteria set out in se%tion + o# t/e 3(4FD)* 15?5 ./i%/ /e .as entitle' to rea%/6 He /a' not 1i8en un'ue .ei1/t to t/e unreasonableness o# t/e 'e%ease'@s a%tions or allo.e' #inan%ial nee' to 'i%tate t/e out%ome6 ;/e Claimant@s outstan'in1 a00eal .as a%%or'in1l" remitte' to a =u'1e o# t/e Hi1/ Court ot/er t/an Eleanor <in1 $6 ;/ese 0ro%ee'in1s /a8e ta7en an inor'inatel" lon1 time to be brou1/t on6 ;/e a00eal to t/e Court o# *00eal .as substantiall" out o# time but an eCtension o# time .as 1i8en6

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MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

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9rs $usti%e Eleanor <in1@s or'er .as 'ate' 1 De%ember 2005 an' t/e 'e%ision o# t/e #ull Court o# *00eal is 'ate' +1 9ar%/ 20116 &te0s .ere e8entuall" ta7en to /a8e t/e a00eal liste'6 &ir $ames 9unb" 46 1a8e 'ire%tions on ? 9a" 201+6 D" t/at time( t/ere /a' been t/ree rele8ant 'e8elo0ments6 (i) 9r $o/n Collins o# %ounsel( ./o /as been a%tin1 latterl" on be/al# o# t/e Claimant( an' ./o a%ts 0robono( /a' ta7en t/e 8ie. t/at /is 0re'e%essor@s 1roun's o# a00eal nee'e' su00lementation (ii) t/e Claimant /a' %ome into 0ossession o# a letter ./i%/ s/e sai' re>uire' to be 0ut be#ore t/e %ourt6 ;/at letter /a' on /er un%/allen1e' a%%ount onl" %ame into /er 0ossession a#ter t/e /earin1 be#ore t/e Distri%t $u'1e but be#ore t/e a00eal /earin1 be#ore Eleanor <in1 $6 ;/e !es0on'ents a%%or'in1l" submitte' t/at it 'i' not #ul#il t/e rele8ant tests un'er Ladd v Marshall [1554] EWC* Ci8 1 sin%e it /a' been a8ailable as at t/e 'ate o# t/e a00eal (iii) a#ter t/e /earin1 in t/e Court o# *00eal (./i%/ attra%te' some 0ubli%it") t/e !es0on'ent@s soli%itor re%ei8e' an anon"mous letter %laimin1 t/at on t/e basis o# t/e re0ort o# t/e %ase it a00eare' t/at t/e #inan%ial 0osition o# t/e Claimant an' /er /usban' /a' been misre0resente'6 3t .as asserte' t/at t/e Claimant@s /usban' .as in re%ei0t o# in%ome #rom em0lo"ment ./i%/ mi1/t alter t/e a00roa%/ ta7en to >uantum in an" e8ent6 ;/e 4resi'ent 'etermine' t/at t/ese matters s/oul' be /ear' b" .a" o# 0reliminar" issue b" t/e =u'1e /earin1 t/e a00eal6

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J6&7e M"!!"on:+ De#"+"on 166 ;/e net estate .as 8alue' at G4 6(0006 ;/e 4resi'ent 'ire%te' an u0-to-'ate 8aluation to be 0re0are' #or t/e a00eal6 ;/e %urrent 8aluation is =ust un'er G4 5(0006 $u'1e 9illion summarise' t/e 0osition o# t/e Claimant an' /er /usban' t/us: At/e" /a8e 8er" small in%ome an' ne1li1ible assets6 ;/e" 'e0en' on state bene#its to to0 u0 t/eir in%ome6 ;/e" li8e in a small /ouse rente' #rom a /ousin1 asso%iation6 ;/e Claimant /as not .or7e' sin%e t/e birt/ o# * (/er ol'est %/il') an' /as brou1/t u0 (an' is still brin1in1 u0) t/e #amil"6B 1 6 ;/e #amil"@s total in%ome eC%lusi8e o# bene#its in 2006,200? .as G20(+ 6( namel" (1) G4(164 H@s sel# em0lo"e' earnin1s (2) G1( ? %/il' bene#it (+) G (112 taC %re'its (H@s .or7in1 taC %re'it( an' %/il' taC %re'it) (4) G500 eC0enses set a1ainst H@s earnin1s (5) G240 notionall" 0ai' to t/e Claimant #or /er boo77ee0in1 .or7 .it/ re1ar' to H@s earnin1s (6) G5(052 /ousin1 an' %oun%il taC bene#it6 ;/ere .as %a0ital a8ailable b" .a" o# =oint #amil" sa8in1s o# ./i%/ t/e Claimant@s s/are .as bet.een G2(000 an' G+(0006 &/e /as no 0ension 0ro8ision6 ;/e #amil"@s %urrent stan'ar' o# li8in1 .as lo.6 ;/e Claimant /a' ne8er /a' a /oli'a"( mu%/ o# ./at s/e /as is ol' an',or se%on'-/an'( s/e /as 'i##i%ult" in a##or'in1 %lot/es #or t/e %/il'ren( an' is limite' in t/e #oo' t/at s/e %an bu"6 &/e set out s%/e'ules settin1 out ./at s/e t/ou1/t .oul' be reasonable eC0en'iture #or /er to en=o" a reasonabl" %om#ortable li#e an' ./at s/e t/ou1/t .oul' be

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MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

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reasonable eC0en'iture to li#t /er /ome an' its %ontents to a mo'ern stan'ar'6 3t is no. submitte' on be/al# o# t/e Claimant t/at t/e $u'1e .ron1l" t/ou1/t t/at t/ese s%/e'ules .ere ser8e' 'urin1 t/e trial but in #a%t t/e" /a' been ser8e' .it/ t/e ori1inal .itness statements but u0'ate' s/ortl" be#ore trial6 3t is t/e %ase #or t/e Claimant t/at t/ese s%/e'ules .ere #ile' to 'emonstrate t/e sorts o# t/in1s ./i%/ .ere una##or'able on t/e Claimant@s 0resent resour%es( an' to assist t/e %ourt in its broa' brus/ 'eterminations( 0er Re Watson deceased [1555] 1F)! ? ( at 501( as to ./at mi1/t be re1ar'e' as a reasonable 0ro8ision be"on' ./at t/e Claimant %an %urrentl" a##or'6 216 ;/e $u'1e #oun' t/at t/e %ombine' net annual 8alue o# /ousin1 an' %oun%il taC bene#it .as G5(052( t/e net 8alue to t/em o# means-teste' taC %re'its an' bene#its is G1+(204 0er annum (./i%/ in%lu'es G (112 taC %re'it6) ;/e $u'1e also #oun' t/at t/e #ull %ost o# rent an' %oun%il taC #or t/e /ouse .oul' be G4(?556 an' G1++6+2 0er "ear( but be%ause o# t/e bene#its t/e" 0a" t/e re'u%e' sums o# G512660 an' G125 0er "ear6 ;/us t/e %ombine' 8alue o# t/ose bene#its is G5(0526 Ha8in1 #oun' t/at no 0ro8ision at all in t/e .ill .as an Aunreasonable resultB( in %ir%umstan%es ./ere t/e Claimant /a' #inan%ial nee'( t/e $u'1e .ent on to sa" t/at: A3 also a%%e0t t/at t/e Claimant /as not /a' an" eC0e%tan%" o# an" 0ro8ision #or /ersel#6 ;/e Claimant an' H /a8e mana1e' t/eir li#e o8er man" "ears .it/out an" eC0e%tan%" t/at t/e Claimant .oul' re%ei8e an"t/in16 ;/at 'oes not mean t/at t/e result is a reasonable one in t/e straitene' #inan%ial %ir%umstan%es o# t/e #amil"6 Dut it 'oes mean F t/at an" 0ro8ision must no. be limite'6B 2+6 ;/e $u'1e re=e%te' t/e %ase on be/al# o# t/e !es0on'ents t/at i# an" amount .ere =usti#ie' it .oul' be a small sum to 0a" #or 'ri8in1 lessons an' to see /er ba%7 into .or7( so t/at s/e %oul' 1ain 1reater #inan%ial in'e0en'en%e6 ;/e !es0on'ents su11este' a #i1ure o# no more t/an about G+-5(0006 ;/e $u'1e states t/at /e /a' to 0ut some 0ressure on t/e Claimant@s %ounsel to >uanti#" /is %laim6 He 'es%ribes ./at .as e8entuall" sou1/t as Aa mu%/ more ambitious %ase6B ;/e Claimant sou1/t (1) G1 6(000 to 0ermit /er to 0ur%/ase /er o.n /ome (t/ere .ill be a 'is%ount un'er t/e !i1/t to Du" 0ro8isions) (2) G5+(000 to 0a" #or a sin1le-store" eCtension to t/e /ouse( 0resentl" t/ree be'rooms (+) a %a0italise' sum e>ui8alent to an in%ome o# G10(000 0er "ear #or li#e: t/is .as not >uanti#ie' but t/e =u'1e %al%ulate' t/at on t/e DuCbur" tables in *t a Hlan%e a sum o# G1?+(000 .as in'i%ate' (4) some #urt/er %a0ital sum to 0ermit t/e re#urbis/ment an' re-e>ui0ment o# t/e /ouse a#ter its 0ur%/ase6 ;/at list 0ro'u%e' a sum o# G40(5506 ;/e Claimant also 0ro'u%e' a 0ro0ose' annual bu'1et #or t/e #amil" ./i%/ totalle' G+4(6006 ;a7in1 into a%%ount H@s in%ome #rom /is 0art time earnin1s at G5(+04 an' %/il' bene#it o# G1(5?0( t/is .oul' /a8e re>uire'( t/e $u'1e %al%ulate'( an a''itional annual in%ome o# G2?(??66 Ca0italise' #or li#e #or a #emale a1e' 46 "ears .oul' re>uire a sum o# about G562(000 (a1ain usin1 *t a Hlan%e #i1ures)6 ;/e $u'1e %ommente' t/at t/is eC%ee'e' t/e siIe o# t/e estate6 ;/e $u'1e sai' t/at /e re1rette' t/at At/e Claimant@s %ase on t/ese matters .as 0resente' in an ill t/ou1/t-out an' un/el0#ul

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MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

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.a"6B 3n /is s7eleton ar1ument on t/e a00eal 9r &mit/( t/en re0resentin1 t/e Claimant( states t/at t/e s%/e'ules .ere 0ut #or.ar' to assist t/e $u'1e in 'eterminin1 ./at mi1/t be a reasonable maintenan%e #i1ure6 256 ;/e $u'1e %ommente' t/at /e /a' been 0resente' .it/ no #i1ures ./i%/ s/o.e' t/e net e##e%t (a#ter bene#its an' taC %re'it) o# 0ro8i'in1 an in%ome o# G10(000 0er "ear6 Neit/er .as /e 0resente' .it/ #i1ures to s/o. t/e net e##e%t o# t/e 0ro8ision o# a %a0italise' sum ./i%/ too7 into a%%ount t/e state bene#its ./i%/ t/e #amil" re%ei8es6 He sai': A3 assume t/at t/e 0ra%ti%al %onse>uen%e o# a lar1e %a0ital 0a"ment .oul' be t/at t/e #amil" .oul' lose most( i# not all( o# t/eir bene#its6 None o# t/ese %onse>uen%es a00ear to /a8e been t/ou1/t t/rou1/6B 266 ;/e $u'1e a%%e0te' t/at t/e %ontinuin1 obli1ations an' res0onsibilities to t/e %/il'ren ma'e it reasonable #or t/e Claimant to .is/ to remain at /ome #or t/e time bein1 an' an" .or7 t/at s/e .oul' li7el" to obtain .oul' be limite' b" /er la%7 o# em0lo"ment s7ills an' t/e tra8el 'i##i%ulties stemmin1 #rom li8in1 in a some./at isolate' 8illa1e6 Dut /e 'i' %onsi'er it reasonable #or /er to attem0t to su00ort /ersel# b" some 0ai' .or7 'urin1 t/e %ourse o# t/e neCt #e. "ears6 Ho.e8er( e8en .it/ su%/ #uture .or7( t/e Claimant .oul' be li7el" to remain in some #inan%ial nee'6 3# bot/ t/e Claimant an' H .or7( t/e" ma" %ontinue to be entitle' to .or7in1 taC %re'its( 0resentl" G (112 0er annum6 2ne /al# o# t/at s/are .oul' be G4(056 0er "ear6 He sai': At/is %oul' be sai' to be an in'i%ate' amount o# maintenan%e ./i%/ t/e 1o8ernment a%%e0ts as bein1 nee'e' %urrentl" to 0ro8i'e t/e Claimant .it/ a reasonable( but basi%( stan'ar' o# li8in16B Ha8in1 re=e%te' t/e 0ro0osal on be/al# o# t/e !es0on'ent( /e starte': A#rom m" a00roCimate' #i1ure o# basi% nee's 'eri8e' #rom t/e taC %re'it a00ortionment6B 2?6 ECtra0olatin1 ba%7 #rom /is %al%ulation as to t/e re>uire' sum o# %a0ital nee'e' to 0ro'u%e an in%ome o# G10(000 0er annum( t/e =u'1e #oun' t/at about G65(200 .oul' be re>uire' to 0ro8i'e a maintenan%e #i1ure o# G4(000 0er annum6 He sai' t/at t/at .as an a00roCimation6 He t/en too7 into a%%ount t/at t/e Claimant ou1/t to be able to #in' some mo'est 0art time .or7( alt/ou1/ /e a%%e0te' t/at it .oul' be 0oorl" 0ai' an' t/at s/e is li7el" to %ontinue to re>uire state subsi'ises #or /er basi% li8in1 eC0enses6 3n or'er to re#le%t t/at 0otentiall" re'u%e' #inan%ial 'e0en'en%"( /e %a0italise' t/e maintenan%e #i1ure at t/e lo.er sum o# G50(0006 He %on%lu'e': A3 a%%e0t( in'ee' eC0li%itl" state( t/at su%/ #i1ure /as a si1ni#i%ant 'e1ree o# a00roCimation in it6 Dut in t/e absen%e o# an" better met/o' o# %al%ulation( it is t/e best t/at 3 am able to 'o in t/e %ir%umstan%es6B

MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

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2 6

9r Collins tol' me t/at /is %lient see7s an a.ar' e>ui8alent to /al# t/e 8alue o# t/e estate (t/ere#ore G240(000 or t/ereabouts) in or'er to re-/ouse in a t/reebe'room 0ro0ert" in t/e area( o# a better stan'ar' to t/at in ./i%/ s/e is 0resentl" li8in16 Her #our ol'er %/il'ren /a8e no. le#t /ome an' /er 1? "ear-ol' 'au1/ter is t/e onl" %/il' remainin16 9r Collins 0ro'u%e' 'urin1 t/e %ourse o# t/e /earin1 a letter #rom t/e /ousin1 asso%iation #rom ./i%/ t/e %urrent /ome is rente' in'i%atin1 t/at t/e 0resent 0ri%e o# 0ur%/ase( in%lu'in1 'is%ount( is G125(0006 9s !ee' #or t/e !es0on'ents a%%e0te' t/at t/is s/oul' be 0ut in but rea' A'e bene esseB6 *t t/e 8er" %on%lusion o# /is ar1ument( 9r Collins sai' t/at /is %lient sou1/t a total 0a"ment o# G150(000( to 0ro8i'e t/e 0ur%/ase 0ri%e to1et/er .it/ t/e %osts o# t/e trans#er an' a mo'est sum to meet Asome basi% eC0ensesB6 T-e 7ro6n&+ of $ e$!

256

A16 ;/e 'e%ision o# t/e learne' Distri%t $u'1e( t/at t/e sum o# G50(000 .as reasonable 0ro8ision #or t/e Claimant out o# t/e estate o# /er mot/er( 9elita $a%7son 'e%ease'( un'er t/e 3n/eritan%e (4ro8ision #or Famil" J De0en'ants) *%t 15?5( .as .ron1 as a matter o# la. be%ause: (a) ;/e learne' Distri%t $u'1e erre' in t/at( (i) He e>uate' reasonable 0ro8ision un'er t/e 3n/eritan%e (4ro8ision #or Famil" J De0en'ants) *%t 15?5 (At/e 15?5 *%tB) .it/ t/e sums 0ai' in res0e%t o# state bene#its (or .it/ 50K o# t/e Claimant@s #amil"@s state bene#its)6 (ii) Furt/er( /a8in1 e>uate' reasonable 0ro8ision un'er t/e 15?5 *%t .it/ state bene#its( t/e learne' Distri%t $u'1e le#t out o# a%%ount t/e im0a%t o# /ousin1 bene#it an' %oun%il taC bene#it6 26 Ha8in1 /el' t/at t/e Claimant an' /er #amil" .ere in Astraitene' %ir%umstan%esB t/e learne' Distri%t $u'1e erre' in t/at( (a) He sou1/t to ma7e 0ro8ision ./i%/ merel" re0li%ate' t/e Claimant@s eCistin1 state bene#its rat/er t/an im0ro8e' /er #inan%ial %ir%umstan%es6 (b) He #aile' to anal"se ./at t/e Claimant reasonabl" re>uire' #or /er maintenan%e (ot/er t/an b" analo1" .it/ /er entitlement to state bene#its) an' t/ereb" #aile' to 0a" a'e>uate re1ar' to t/e matters set out at se%tion +(1) o# t/e 15?5 *%t6 +6 Ha8in1 %on%lu'e' t/at t/e sums ./i%/ t/e Claimant /a' %onten'e' mi1/t be ta7en into a%%ount in 'eterminin1 reasonable 0ro8ision .ere eC%essi8e( t/e learne' Distri%t $u'1e erre' in t/at /e 'i' not %onsi'er #urt/er ./at .oul' be reasonable 0ro8ision in t/e li1/t o# t/e 0arti%ular

MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

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%ir%umstan%es o# t/e Claimant6 3n 0arti%ular t/e learne' Distri%t $u'1e #aile' to ta7e into a%%ount or #aile' a'e>uatel" to ta7e into a%%ount( (a) ;/e #a%t t/at t/e Claimant@s %urrent stan'ar' o# li8in1 is at subsisten%e le8el an' t/at reasonable 0ro8ision .oul' re>uire an im0ro8ement to t/e Claimant@s %urrent #inan%ial %ir%umstan%es6 (b) ;/e items o# %a0ital eC0en'iture ./i%/ t/e Claimant /a' %onten'e' s/oul' be ta7en into a%%ount in assessin1 reasonable 0ro8ision un'er t/e 15?5 *%t6 (%) ;/e items o# eC0en'iture o# a re%urrin1 nature ./i%/ t/e Claimant /a' %onten'e' s/oul' be ta7en into a%%ount in assessin1 reasonable 0ro8ision un'er t/e 15?5 *%t6 (') ;/e #a%t t/at t/e Claimant /a' no 0ension 0ro8ision6 (e) ;/e #a%t t/at t/e Claimant /as 8er" #e. sa8in1s or ot/er %a0ital in8estments6 (#) ;/e #a%t t/at t/e Claimant is 'e0en'ent on t/e mo'est in%ome o# /er /usban'( ./i%/ is in itsel# 0re%arious( an' 'e0en'ent on /er /usban'@s %ontinue' /ealt/6 46 ;/e learne' Distri%t $u'1e re=e%te' t/e Claimant@s %ontention t/at reasonable 0ro8ision .oul' in%lu'e su%/ 0ro8ision as .oul' enable /er to bu" /er eCistin1 /ousin1 asso%iation a%%ommo'ation (at a 'is%ount) on t/e basis t/at su%/ 0ro8ision .oul' relie8e t/e Claimant o# eC0en'iture o# onl" G512 a "ear6 3n #a%t( su%/ 0ro8ision( (a) .oul' relie8e t/e Claimant o# a liabilit" to 0a" G4(?5+6 a "earL (b) .oul' 0ro8i'e a %a0ital asset ./i%/ %oul' be realise' to #un' t/e Claimant@s #uture maintenan%e nee'sL (%) .oul' ensure t/at t/e Claimant %oul' %ontinue to 0ro8i'e /ersel# .it/ a%%ommo'ation in t/e e8ent t/at s/e s/oul' nee' to or s/oul' .is/ to mo8e6 56 3nso#ar as /e %on%lu'e' t/at /e /a' insu##i%ient e8i'en%e o# t/e Claimant@s resour%es or nee's( t/e learne' Distri%t $u'1e .as .ron16B +06 *''itional Hroun's o# *00eal A16 ;/e learne' Distri%t $u'1e .as in error o# la.( alternati8el" o# miCe' la. an' #a%t( in t/at /a8in1 %orre%tl" %on%lu'e' at 0ara1ra0/ 6? t/at /e %oul' not atta%/

MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

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im0ortan%e to t/e #a%t t/at [t/e Claimant an' /er /usban'] /a' mana1e' t/eir li#e o8er man" "ears .it/out an" eC0e%tan%" t/at [t/e Claimant] .oul' re%ei8e an"t/in1( .ron1l" treate' t/is as a reason #or limitin1 t/e 0ro8ision #or /er( alternati8el" #or re'u%in1 t/e 0ro8ision t/at /e .oul' ot/er.ise /a8e ma'e #or /er #rom t/e estate o# t/e 'e%ease'6 26 ;/at t/e learne' Distri%t $u'1e( /a8in1 a00re%iate' t/at an" .or7 t/at t/e Claimant .oul' be li7el" to obtain .oul' be limite' b" t/e tra8el 'i##i%ulties stemmin1 #rom li8in1 in an isolate' 8illa1e( #aile' to %onsi'er /o. t/e Claimant@s 0roblems mi1/t best be resol8e'( in 0arti%ular b" enablin1 /er to mo8e to a%%ommo'ation #rom ./i%/ s/e .oul' be able to see7 em0lo"ment6 +6 3n t/e li1/t o# t/e a''itional e8i'en%e ./i%/ t/e Claimant see7s to 0ut be#ore t/e %ourt( it is submitte' t/at reasonable 0ro8ision #or t/e Claimant s/oul' be a sum o# a00roCimatel" 50K o# t/e net estate to enable /er to a%>uire a mo'est '.ellin1 /ouse in an urban area #rom ./i%/ s/e %oul' rea'il" (i# nee' be b" use o# 0ubli% trans0ort) ma7e /ersel# a8ailable #or em0lo"ment an' 1ain remunerate' em0lo"ment( so as to ma7e a'e>uate 0ro8ision bot/ #or /er #uture maintenan%e an' #or /er retirement6B

+16

3n/eritan%e (4ro8ision #or Famil" an' De0en'ants) *%t 15?5 A+ 9atters to ./i%/ t/e %ourt is to /a8e re1ar' in eCer%isin1 0o.ers un'er s2 (1) W/ere an a00li%ation is ma'e #or an or'er un'er se%tion 2 o# t/is *%t( t/e %ourt s/all( in 'eterminin1 ./et/er t/e 'is0osition o# t/e 'e%ease'@s estate e##e%te' b" /is .ill or t/e la. relatin1 to intesta%"( or t/e %ombination o# /is .ill an' t/at la.( is su%/ as to ma7e reasonable #inan%ial 0ro8ision #or t/e a00li%ant an'( i# t/e %ourt %onsi'ers t/at reasonable #inan%ial 0ro8ision /as not been ma'e( in 'eterminin1 ./et/er an' in ./at manner it s/all eCer%ise its 0o.ers un'er t/at se%tion( /a8e re1ar' to t/e #ollo.in1 matters( t/at is to sa" (a) t/e #inan%ial resour%es an' #inan%ial nee's ./i%/ t/e a00li%ant /as or is li7el" to /a8e in t/e #oreseeable #utureL (b) t/e #inan%ial resour%es an' #inan%ial nee's ./i%/ an" ot/er a00li%ant #or an or'er un'er se%tion 2 o# t/is *%t /as or is li7el" to /a8e in t/e #oreseeable #utureL

MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

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(%) t/e #inan%ial resour%es an' #inan%ial nee's ./i%/ an" bene#i%iar" o# t/e estate o# t/e 'e%ease' /as or is li7el" to /a8e in t/e #oreseeable #utureL (') an" obli1ations an' res0onsibilities ./i%/ t/e 'e%ease' /a' to.ar's an" a00li%ant #or an or'er un'er t/e sai' se%tion 2 or to.ar's an" bene#i%iar" o# t/e estate o# t/e 'e%ease'L (e) t/e siIe an' nature o# t/e net estate o# t/e 'e%ease'L (#) an" 0/"si%al or mental 'isabilit" o# an" a00li%ant #or an or'er un'er t/e sai' se%tion 2 or an" bene#i%iar" o# t/e estate o# t/e 'e%ease'L (1) an" ot/er matter( in%lu'in1 t/e %on'u%t o# t/e a00li%ant or an" ot/er 0erson ./i%/ in t/e %ir%umstan%es o# t/e %ase t/e %ourt ma" %onsi'er rele8ant6 (2) ;/is subse%tion a00lies( .it/out 0re=u'i%e to t/e 1eneralit" o# 0ara1ra0/ (1) o# subse%tion (3) abo8e( ./ere an a00li%ation #or an or'er un'er se%tion 2 o# t/is *%t is ma'e b" 8irtue o# se%tion 1(1)(a) or (b) o# t/is *%t6 ;/e %ourt s/all( in a''ition to t/e matters s0e%i#i%all" mentione' in 0ara1ra0/s (a) to (#) o# t/at subse%tion( /a8e re1ar' to E (a) t/e a1e o# t/e a00li%ant an' t/e 'uration o# t/e marria1e or %i8il 0artners/i0L (b) t/e %ontribution ma'e b" t/e a00li%ant to t/e .el#are o# t/e #amil" o# t/e 'e%ease'( in%lu'in1 an" %ontribution ma'e b" loo7in1 a#ter t/e /ome or %arin1 #or t/e #amil"L an'( in t/e %ase o# an a00li%ation b" t/e .i#e or /usban' o# t/e 'e%ease'( t/e %ourt s/all also( unless at t/e 'ate o# 'eat/ a 'e%ree o# =u'i%ial se0aration .as in #or%e an' t/e se0aration .as %ontinuin1( /a8e re1ar' to t/e 0ro8ision ./i%/ t/e a00li%ant mi1/t reasonabl" /a8e eC0e%te' to re%ei8e i# on t/e 'a" on ./i%/ t/e 'e%ease' 'ie' t/e marria1e( instea' o# bein1 terminate' b" 'eat/( /a' been terminate' b" a 'e%ree o# 'i8or%e6 3n t/e %ase o# an a00li%ation b" t/e %i8il 0artner o# t/e 'e%ease'( t/e %ourt s/all also( unless at t/e 'ate o# t/e 'eat/ a se0aration or'er un'er C/a0ter 2 o# 4art 2 o# t/e Ci8il 4artners/i0 *%t 2004 .as in #or%e an' t/e se0aration .as %ontinuin1( /a8e re1ar' to t/e 0ro8ision ./i%/ t/e a00li%ant mi1/t reasonabl" /a8e eC0e%te' to re%ei8e i# on t/e 'a" on ./i%/ t/e 'e%ease' 'ie' t/e %i8il 0artners/i0( instea' o#

MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

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bein1 terminate' b" 'eat/( /a' been terminate' b" a 'issolution or'er6 (2*) Wit/out 0re=u'i%e to t/e 1eneralit" o# 0ara1ra0/ (1) o# subse%tion (3) abo8e( ./ere an a00li%ation #or an or'er un'er se%tion 2 o# t/is *%t is ma'e b" 8irtue o# se%tion 1 (1) (ba) o# t/is *%t( t/e %ourt s/all( in a''ition to t/e matters s0e%i#i%all" mentione' in 0ara1ra0/s (a) to (#) o# t/at subse%tion( /a8e re1ar' to: (a) t/e a1e o# t/e a00li%ant an' t/e len1t/ o# t/e 0erio' 'urin1 ./i%/ t/e a00li%ant li8e' as t/e /usban' or .i#e or %i8il 0artner o# t/e 'e%ease' an' in t/e same /ouse/ol' as t/e 'e%ease'L (b) t/e %ontribution ma'e b" t/e a00li%ant to t/e .el#are o# t/e #amil" o# t/e 'e%ease'( in%lu'in1 an" %ontribution ma'e b" loo7in1 a#ter t/e /ome or %arin1 #or t/e #amil"6 (+) Wit/out 0re=u'i%e to t/e 1eneralit" o# 0ara1ra0/ (1) o# subse%tion (1) abo8e( ./ere an a00li%ation #or an or'er un'er se%tion 2 o# t/is *%t is ma'e b" 8irtue o# se%tion 1(1) (%) or 3 (l)(') o# t/is *%t( t/e %ourt s/all( in a''ition to t/e matters s0e%i#i%all" mentione' in 0ara1ra0/s (a) to (#) o# t/at subse%tion( /a8e re1ar' to t/e manner in ./i%/ t/e a00li%ant .as bein1 or in ./i%/ /e mi1/t eC0e%t to be e'u%ate' or traine'( an' ./ere t/e a00li%ation is ma'e b" 8irtue o# se%tion l(1)(') t/e %ourt s/all also /a8e re1ar': (a) to ./et/er t/e 'e%ease' /a' assume' an" res0onsibilit" #or t/e a00li%ant@s maintenan%e an'( i# so( to t/e eCtent to ./i%/ an' t/e basis u0on ./i%/ t/e 'e%ease' assume' t/at res0onsibilit" an' to t/e len1t/ o# time #or ./i%/ t/e 'e%ease' 'is%/ar1e' t/at res0onsibilit"L (b) to ./et/er in assumin1 an' 'is%/ar1in1 t/at res0onsibilit" t/e 'e%ease' 'i' so 7no.in1 t/at t/e a00li%ant .as not /is o.n %/il'L (%) to t/e liabilit" o# an" ot/er 0erson to maintain t/e a00li%ant6 (4) Wit/out 0re=u'i%e to t/e 1eneralit" o# 0ara1ra0/ (1) o# subse%tion (1) abo8e( ./ere an a00li%ation #or an or'er un'er se%tion 2 o# t/is *%t is ma'e b" 8irtue o# se%tion l(l) (e) o# t/is *%t( t/e %ourt s/all( in a''ition to t/e matters s0e%i#i%all" mentione' in 0ara1ra0/s (a) to (#) o# t/at subse%tion( /a8e re1ar' to t/e eCtent to ./i%/ an' t/e basis u0on ./i%/ t/e 'e%ease' assume' res0onsibilit" #or t/e maintenan%e o# t/e a00li%ant( an' to t/e len1t/ o# time #or ./i%/ t/e 'e%ease' 'is%/ar1e' t/at res0onsibilit"6

MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

Double-%li%7 to enter t/e s/ort title

(5) 3n %onsi'erin1 t/e matters to ./i%/ t/e %ourt is re>uire' to /a8e re1ar' un'er t/is se%tion( t/e %ourt s/all ta7e into a%%ount t/e #a%ts as 7no.n to t/e %ourt at t/e 'ate o# t/e /earin16 (6) 3n %onsi'erin1 t/e #inan%ial resour%es o# an" 0erson #or t/e 0ur0oses o# t/is se%tion t/e %ourt s/all ta7e into a%%ount /is earnin1 %a0a%it" an' in %onsi'erin1 t/e #inan%ial nee's o# an" 0erson #or t/e 0ur0oses o# t/is se%tion t/e %ourt s/all ta7e into a%%ount /is #inan%ial obli1ations an' res0onsibilities6B He$r"n7 of t-e A +26 e$!

;/ere .ere t/ree bun'les an' a su00lementar" bun'le %ontainin1 t/e 'is0ute' material6 For reasons ./i%/ /a8e still not "et been establis/e'( t/e %ourt bun'les 'i' not rea%/ me6 3 /a' re%ei8e' t/e a''itional bun'le ./i%/ 3 /a' rea'6 * s0are set o# t/e t/ree main bun'les .as onl" 0ro'u%e' at 10:+0 an' 3 /a' to ta7e out time to rea'6 3 /a' also not re%ei8e' an"t/in1 ot/er t/an a su00lementar" s7eleton ar1ument on be/al# o# t/e %/arities until t/at 0oint6 *s it turne' out( it 0ro8e' easier to master t/e rele8ant ba%71roun' #a%ts t/an t/e 8olume o# t/e bun'les /a' ori1inall" su11este'6 3 .as able to 'e8ote t/e rest o# t/e 'a" to /earin1 %ounsel ./o too7 me in 'etail t/rou1/ t/e rele8ant 0assa1es( 0arti%ularl" in t/e =u'1ment o# $u'1e 9illion( an' some o# t/e 1+ aut/orities ./i%/ b" t/en /a' been 0ro'u%e'6 Dut 3 /a' to reser8e =u'1ment6

T-e re!"8"n$r5 "++6e+ ++6 +46 3 0ermitte' t/e Claimant to su00lement /er 1roun's o# a00eal b" t/e a''ition o# 1roun' 1( ./i%/ 3 t/ou1/t 'i' re>uire ar1ument6 3 also allo.e' amen'ment to a'' 1roun' +( in res0e%t o# t/e 155 letter6 *lt/ou1/ it /a' been a8ailable at t/e 'ate o# t/e /earin1 its si1ni#i%an%e ma" not /a8e been a00re%iate'6 4ro0ose' 1roun' 2 o# t/e su00lemental 1roun's #or a00eal see7s to raise a matter ./i%/ ou1/t to /a8e been raise' at t/e %ourt belo. ./en t/ere .as am0le o00ortunit" to 'o so( an' %annot be raise' at t/is late sta1e6 3 a'mitte' t/e anon"mous letter an' t/e statement o# t/e %/aritiesM soli%itors6 3 re%o1nise' t/at t/e anon"mous letter is /earsa" but it /as 0ro'u%e' b" .a" o# res0onse statements #rom t/e Claimant an' /er /usban' settin1 out t/eir %ase as to t/e 8er" mo'est in%ome earne' b" t/e Claimant@s /usban'( an' ./i%/ 3 a'mitte'6 ;/e a'mission o# t/is material .as s%ar%el" resiste'6 3n t/e e8ent no submissions at all .ere ma'e on it b" eit/er si'e6

+56

+66

Ar768ent+ +?6 + 6 3 ta7e t/e su00lemental 1roun's o# a00eal #irst6 Supplemental ground 1 - 9r Collins@ submissions in essen%e .ere t/at i# t/e la%7 o# eC0e%tan%" #rom t/e 'e%ease'@s estate 'i' not 0re=u'i%e /er %ase at t/e

MRS JUSTICE PARKER A ro,e& J6&78ent

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N1ate.a"@ sta1e( it s/oul' not 0re=u'i%e it at t/e e8aluati8e sta1e eit/er6 9s !ee' submits to me t/at t/e =u'1e .as 0lainl" entitle' to ta7e it into a%%ount ./en %onsi'erin1 >uantum6 +56 &e%tion + o# t/e 15?5 *%t( as a00ears abo8e( sets out a number o# %riteria to be ta7en into a%%ount b" t/e %ourt( not in an" or'er o# 0riorit"6 ;/ose %riteria /a8e to be assesse' in res0e%t o# bot/ ./at 3 /a8e %alle' t/e A1ate.a"B sta1e( an' at t/e e8aluati8e sta1e6 3 ta7e t/e 8ie. t/at t/e %ourt is en1a1e' in a 'i##erent eCer%ise at t/e t.o sta1es6 *t t/e #irst sta1e( t/is =u'1e too7 t/e 8ie. t/at t/e la%7 o# eC0e%tan%" 'i' not #ail to ma7e t/e la%7 o# 0ro8ision unreasonable6 Dut t/e eCer%ise in 'e%i'in1 on >uantum .as 'i##erent6 ;o ta7e a sim0le eCam0le( t/e #inan%ial resour%es an' #inan%ial nee's ./i%/ t/e a00li%ant /a' or is li7el" to /a8e in t/e #oreseeable #uture ma" ren'er t/e 0ro8ision unreasonable: but t/e >uantum .ill %ertainl" be a##e%te' b" t/e amount o# t/e resour%e6 ;/e same is so in res0e%t o# all t/e ot/er %riteria set out in se%tion +6 ;/ere#ore( in m" 8ie. t/e =u'1e .as not .ron1 to ta7e into a%%ount la%7 o# eC0e%tan%": ./i%/ seems to me to #all %ertainl" un'er (1) Aan" ot/er matter( in%lu'in1 t/e %on'u%t o# t/e a00li%ant or an" ot/er 0erson F rele8antB an' also 0otentiall" un'er (') Aobli1ations an' res0onsibilitiesB to.ar's t/e *00li%ant6 Supplemental ground 3 - ;/e 155 letter 'is%loses t/at t/e 'e%ease' /a' re%ei8e' a 8er" substantial lum0 sum a#ter t/e 'eat/ o# /er late /usban'( t/e Claimant@s #at/er( ./i%/ o%%urre' ./en s/e .as 0re1nant .it/ t/e Claimant6 3n t/at letter s/e states t/at t/e sum .as use' to re'u%e or 0a" o## t/e mort1a1e on t/e 0ro0ert" ./i%/ /er late /usban' /a' o.ne' an' to ./i%/ s/e su%%ee'e' as /is .i'o.6 9r Collins sa"s t/at t/is 0uts a ne. li1/t on t/e =u'1e@s 'e%ision sin%e t/e =u'1e erroneousl" assume' t/at t/e 'e%ease' /a' brou1/t u0 t/e Claimant #rom /er o.n resour%es an' in %ir%umstan%es o# some /ar's/i06 9r Collins re#ers to Callaghan [15 5] Fam16 ;/e 'e%ease' /a' marrie' t/e Claimant@s .i'o.e' mot/er6 Her /ome /a' been 0ro8i'e' b" t/e Claimant@s 1ran'#at/er6 ;/e Claimant@s mot/er 0re'e%ease' /is ste0#at/er6 4art o# Doot/ $@s reasonin1 in 0ro8i'in1 #or t/e Claimant out o# t/e estate reste' on t/e ori1in o# t/e assets ./i%/ A%learl" 'eri8e' #rom t/e 4lainti##@s mot/er F an' #rom t/e 0ro0ert" ./i%/ .as t/e 1i#t to /er o# t/e 4lainti##@s 0aternal 1ran'#at/er6 3t .as in e##e%t (/er) in/eritan%e #ollo.in1 on t/e 'eat/ o# t/e #irst /usban'( t/e 4lainti##@s #at/er6B 3 a1ree .it/ 9s !ee' t/at t/e lum0 sum 0ro8i'e' to t/e 'e%ease'( ./i%/ ma" /a8e been a 0a"ment or a 'eat/ in ser8i%e bene#it( or a %ombination o# bot/( 'oes not #all into t/e same %ate1or"6 3 re=e%t 9r Collins@ ar1ument t/at it 'eri8e' #rom t/e Claimant@s #at/er an' t/ere#ore it is reasonable #or /er to be 0ro8i'e' #rom t/is sum( ./i%/ /as be%ome 0art o# t/e estate6 ;/ere is no e8i'en%e to su11est t/at t/is sum .as an"t/in1 ot/er t/an a 0a"ment to t/e 'e%ease' as .i'o.6 ;/e essen%e o# t/e ori1inal 1roun's o# a00eal is t/at( /a8in1 #oun' t/at reasonable 0ro8ision /a' not been ma'e( it %oul' not /a8e been reasonable #or $u'1e 9illion to 0ro8i'e a lum0 sum ./i%/ 'i' not in realit" 0ro8i'e an" bene#it #or t/e Claimant6 9r Collins a%%e0ts t/at no e8i'en%e as to t/is .as le' in t/e %ourt belo.( but /e sa"s t/at it is a matter o# la. t/at an" %a0ital o8er G16(000( unless it is use' #or t/e 0ur%/ase o# t/e /ome in ./i%/ t/e Claimant is to be li8in1( .ill re'u%e 0oun' #or 0oun' t/e bene#its to ./i%/ t/e Claimant .oul' ot/er.ise be entitle'6

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3n res0onse( t/e !es0on'ents submit t/at t/e Distri%t $u'1e /a' re=e%te' t/e Claimant@s su11este' #i1ures in /is =u'1ment as bein1 in eC%ess o# ./at .oul' be reasonable to re%ei8e #rom t/e estate6 3n 0arti%ular( t/e =u'1e 'i' not /ol' t/at an im0ro8ement .as %alle' #or an' .as not 1i8en t/e tools .it/ ./i%/ to a%/ie8e it6 9s !ee' /as stresse' to me t/at it .as not #or t/e =u'1e to ma7e en>uiries or to su11est .a"s in ./i%/ an a.ar' mi1/t be a00ro0riatel" stru%ture'6 3t is #urt/er submitte' t/at t/e G50(000 a.ar'e' .oul' un'oubte'l" enable t/e Claimant to im0ro8e /er %ir%umstan%es in su%/ .a"s as s/e mi1/t %/oose6 3t is 0ointe' out( as in'ee' t/e Claimant a%%e0ts( t/at /er bu'1et an' %a0ital %laim bore no relation to /er a%tual %ir%umstan%es6 3t is submitte' t/at t/e Claimant@s %laim is base' u0on t/e #alse 0remise t/at s/e is entitle' to t/at ./i%/ s/e .oul' li7e /er maintenan%e to be rat/er t/an an assessment un'er se%tion 1(2)(b) o# t/e 15?5 *%t as an assessment o# ./at Ain all t/e %ir%umstan%es o# t/is %ase it .as reasonable #or /er to re%ei8e #rom t/e estate #or /er maintenan%e6B 3t is #urt/er submitte' t/at t/e $u'1e /a' #oun' t/at s/e /a' onl" =ust %rosse' t/e t/res/ol' an' t/us t/e a.ar' s/oul' be limite'6 ;/e #a%t t/at t/e Claimant an' /er /usban' /a' mana1e' #or man" "ears .it/out an" assistan%e #rom t/e 'e%ease' .as %ru%ial6 3t .as submitte' t/at t/e Distri%t $u'1e 'i' not e>uate reasonable 0ro8ision un'er t/e *%t .it/ t/e #un's 0a"able in res0e%t o# state bene#its but too7 /al# o# t/ose taC %re'its as 1i8in1 an in'i%ation o# ./at t/e 1o8ernment a%%e0ts as bein1 nee'e' to 1i8e t/e Claimant a reasonable but basi% stan'ar' o# li8in1L an' on t/e #a%ts in t/is %ase t/is .as reasonable 0ro8ision6 ;/e 0oint is ine8itabl" ma'e t/at t/e siIe o# t/e estate in t/is %ase .as not su##i%ient to 0ermit t/e Claimant to be bot/ /ouse' an' 0ro8i'e' #or b" .a" o# %a0ital: t/ere#ore an" a.ar' %annot ta7e /er out o# t/e bene#its re1ime6 2n be/al# o# t/e Claimant it is submitte' t/at (i) t/ere .ill be a real bene#it to t/e Claimant i# s/e %an be /ouse' be%ause t/is .ill be %a0ital ./i%/ %oul' be realise' to 0ro8i'e /er .it/ a 0ension or ot/er 0ro8ision #or /er ol' a1e( an' (ii) t/e =u'1e s/oul' /a8e loo7e' at t/e lon1 term 0ro8ision #or /er #uture in%lu'in1 0ension ./en ma7in1 /is a.ar'6 ;/e Claimant relies on Myers 2005 W;)! 516 ;/e Claimant /a' su##ere' #rom mental #ra1ilit"( ill /ealt/ an' emotional an' 0ra%ti%al 0roblems an' li8e' in strai1/tene' %ir%umstan%es6 ;/e estate .as .ort/ in eC%ess o# G million6 9r $usti%e 9unb"( as /e t/en .as( /el' t/at t/e 'e%ease' /a' obli1ations an' res0onsibilities to.ar's t/e Claimant t/at .ere not be narro.l" %onstrue' but to be ta7en into a%%ount in a broa' sense6 * balan%in1 eCer%ise is re>uire' #or t/e man" #a%tors to ./i%/ se%tion + o# t/e *%t re>uires to /a8e re1ar' an' t/e %ourt s/oul' 1i8e .ei1/t to t/ose #a%tors as ma" in t/e in'i8i'ual %ase be a00ro0riate6 ;/e #a%tors ti00in1 t/e balan%e in t/e Claimant@s #a8our .ere t/at s/e .as li8in1 in se8erel" strai1/tene' %ir%umstan%esL alt/ou1/ /er situation .as to a si1ni#i%ant eCtent a result o# /er a.7.ar' 0ersonalit"L s/e /a' not /a' be/a8e' as ba'l" to t/e 'e%ease' as /e seeme' to belie8eL an' /e /a' 8er" substantial .ealt/6 ;/ere .as more t/an enou1/ in t/e estate to meet t/e nee's o# all 0arties6 ;/us in t/ose %ir%umstan%es s/e .as 0ro8i'e' .it/ a #lat an' li8in1 eC0enses to be settle' u0on /er6 ;/e $u'1e .as at 0ains to ma7e sure t/at s/e .as not 0ro8i'e' .it/ a .in'#all6

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Watson [1555] 1F)! ? .as a %ase ./ere t/e Claimant /a' li8e' .it/ t/e 'e%ease'( %oo7e' an' %leane' #or /im an' 7e0t /ouse #or /im an' %ontribute' to.ar's /al# o# t/e %osts o# ser8i%es in t/e /ome #or 11 "ears6 ;/e 0ro8ision ma'e in%lu'e' re-/ousin1 in a''ition to a lum0 sum or annuit" 0ro8ision: /er in%reasin1 0/"si%al #railt" .as ta7en into a%%ount6 9r $usti%e Neuber1er( as /e t/en .as( sai' at 50b-' A=ust be%ause t/e 0erson mana1es to li8e .it/in /is or /er in%ome 'oes not mean t/at in%ome #ul#ils all /is or /er nee's or Are>uirementsB let alone Areasonable re>uirements6B Furt/ermore( t/e %ourt must also /a8e re1ar' to t/e #uture6 Dut in m" 8ie. 9r $usti%e Neuber1er ma'e t/ose %omments in t/e %onteCt o# t/e #a%ts ./ere eC0e%tation( obli1ation an' res0onsibilit" .ere 0lainl" a mar7e' #eature o# t/e %ase6 3 a%%e0t t/at also in Watson 9r $usti%e Neuber1er a'o0te' a Abroa' brus/B a00roa%/ to t/e e8aluation o# t/e %laim: =ust as $u'1e 9illion 'i' /ere6 *lt/ou1/ it is submitte' on be/al# o# t/e Claimant t/at 9r $usti%e Neuber1er /a' no more t/an an' 0er/a0s less t/an t/e in#ormation t/at $u'1e 9illion /a' in t/is %ase( t/e assets in Watson .ere su##i%ient to 0ro8i'e #or t/e ./ole o# t/e Claimant@s nee's an' t/e =u'1e 'i' not /a8e to %arr" out a 'etaile' assessment o# t/e e##e%t o# t/e a.ar' on state bene#its6

4?6

Dennis deceased [15 1] 2 *ll E! 140 /el' t/at 0ro8ision #or maintenan%e %an be b" .a" a lum0 sum( #or eCam0le to bu" a /ouse #or ./i%/ t/e a00li%ant %ab be /ouse'6 ;/at a00roa%/ /as been a'o0te' an' #ollo.e' in all subse>uent 'e%ision ./ere rele8ant6 Debenham [1556] 1 F)! 404 /el' t/at ./ere t/e nee's o# a %ou0le are %ombine' an' 0ro8ision is to be ma'e #or onl" one o# t/em( it is a00ro0riate #or a 0ro8ision to be ma'e #or about ?0K o# t/e total6 Finall"( 3 am remin'e'( alt/ou1/ 3 nee' no remin'in1( t/at an a00eal %ourt %an onl" inter#ere .it/ a =u'1e@s eCer%ise o# 'is%retion (or 0er/a0s e8aluation) i# t/e 'e%ision is .ron1 as bein1 outsi'e t/e ran1e o# reasonable 'isa1reement( i# t/e %ourt erre' in la.L or i# t/ere .as a serious 0ro%e'ural or ot/er irre1ularit" t/at ren'ers t/e 'e%ision un=ust6 Furt/ermore( t/e %ourt s/oul' assume t/at t/e #irst instan%e =u'1e 7ne. ./at /e or s/e .as 'oin1 /a8in1 /a' t/e a'8anta1e o# seein1 an' /earin1 t/e .itnesses: an' t/e %ourt s/oul' not a'o0t a Anarro. teCtual anal"sisB in 'eterminin1 ./et/er t/e $u'1e /as mis'ire%te' /im or /ersel# (see Piglowska v Piglowski [1555] + *ll E! 6+2)6 9s !ee' also re#erre' me to Cunli!!e v "ielden [2006] CH +61 #or t/e 0ro0osition t/at i# 3 am to allo. t/is a00eal an' substitute m" o.n e8aluation 3 must 'o so on t/e basis o# t/e #i1ures as in t/e 200? =u'1ment6 3 am not 0ersua'e' t/at Cunli!!e v "ielden is aut/orit" #or t/at 0ro0osition: ./ere t/e Court o# *00eal too7 t/e #i1ures as at t/e #irst instan%e 'e%ision be%ause( it seems to me( t/e" .ere still %urrent6 3#( #or instan%e( t/e estate /a' 'e%rease' 8er" mar7e'l" in 8alue in t/e 6 "ears sin%e t/e #irst instan%e 'e%ision( it seems to me ine8itable t/at t/e !es0on'ents .oul' .is/ to rel" on t/at #a%t an' su%/ lea8e to rel" on #res/ e8i'en%e: an' in'ee' in t/e #a%ts o# t/is %ase t/e Claimant@s asserte' nee's in t/is

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%ase are less no. t/an t/e" .ere at t/e ori1inal trial6 3n Watson 9r $usti%e Neuber1er too7 t/e 8ie. t/at t/e %ost o# a00ro0riate alternati8e a%%ommo'ation /a' not been establis/e' an' /e a'=ourne' t/e %ase #or t/at in#ormation to be 0ro'u%e'6 3 am in rat/er a 'i##erent 0osition on an a00eal but 3 am 8er" %ons%ious o# t/e %osts ./i%/ are bein1 run u0 in t/is %ase6 No attem0t /as been ma'e to 0ut in #res/ e8i'en%e as to t/e %osts o# /ousin16 3 am #ar #rom %ertain t/at 3 .oul' /a8e 0ermitte' a #urt/er a'=ournment i# 3 .as satis#ie' t/at t/e $u'1e /a' erre'6 3 a%%e0t entirel"( /o.e8er( 9s !ee'@s submission t/at t/e #irst ste0 is to 'e%i'e ./et/er t/e a00eal a1ainst t/e a.ar' o# $u'1e 9illion s/oul' be allo.e'6 3n an" e8ent 9r Collins /as no. limite' /is %lient@s %laim6 Fre+- e,"&en#e ro&6#e& on 4e-$!f of t-e #-$r"t"e+ 516 *s a result o# t/e anon"mous letter 9r *s0'en( t/e !es0on'ents@ soli%itor( instru%te' an in>uir" a1ent6 He .ent to a s0iritualist meetin1 an' /as re0orte' ba%7 t/at t/e Claimant@s /usban' .as o##erin1 8arious s0iritualist ser8i%es at a %ost o# G+5 an' /is /ealt/ 'i' not seem to be as im0aire' as me'i%al re0orts 0ro'u%e' at t/e trial /a' su11este'6 ;/e Claimant@s /usban' /as res0on'e' t/at /e /as 'e%lare' all /is in%ome #or taC 0ur0oses( t/at /e ma7es no 0ro#it on /is %onsultations as 0art o# /is members/i0 o# a s0iritualist %/ur%/( an' t/at t/is a%ti8it" starte' 0ost trial in an" e8ent6 9s !ee' %on%e'es t/at t/is as0e%t o# t/e %ase ma7es little i# an" 'i##eren%e to t/e =u'1e@s e8aluation o# >uantum an'( as 3 /a8e sai'( 'i' not tou%/ u0on t/e e8i'en%e in /er ar1ument6 3 'is%ount it6

De#"+"on 526 ;/e =u'1e #oun' t/at it .as not a00ro0riate to meet t/e Claimant@s /ousin1 nee' in all t/e %ir%umstan%es6 *lt/ou1/ t/e !es0on'ent %/arities /a8e no %laim( moral or ot/er.ise( on t/e 'e%ease' as t/e =u'1e re%or'e'( nonet/eless /e /a' to 0a" re1ar' to t/e #a%t t/at t/is .as t/e .a" t/at t/e 'e%ease' /a' %/osen to be>ueat/ /er assets6 ;/e $u'1e@s a.ar' .as inten'e' to 0ro8i'e t/e Claimant .it/ a .in'#all #or /er to s0en' as s/e li7e' in im0ro8in1 /er %ir%umstan%es6 ;/e $u'1e 'i' not s0e%i#i%all" ta7e into a%%ount t/at onl" t/e #irst G16(000 o# t/is sum .oul' be o# 'ire%t bene#it to /er( unless o# %ourse s/e eC0en'e' t/e total imme'iatel"6 3 'o not 7no. an' /a8e not been tol' ./at e##e%t on /er bene#its t/ere .ill be i# s/e 'oes in'ee' eC0en' t/ese sums: an' ./et/er t/e" .ill be treate' as notionall" /ers6 ;/e realit" ma" be t/at s/e .ill nee' to eC0en' t/e #irst G+4(000 on li8in1 eC0enses be#ore s/e %an re%laim bene#its6 3 bear in min' t/at t/e =u'1e .as not 1i8en t/e material nee'e' to ma7e t/is assessment6 3 /a8e not been 1i8en it no.6 3# 3 too7 t/e 8ie. t/at t/e =u'1e@s a00roa%/ .as mani#estl" .ron1 be%ause /e 'i' not 0ro8i'e a su##i%ient lum0 sum to re-/ouse t/e Claimant( #or t/e reasons set out in t/e Noti%e o# *00eal( t/en o# %ourse 3 .oul' allo. t/e a00eal6 Dut t/e %ourt at #irst instan%e is %on'u%tin1 a balan%in1 eCer%ise bet.een t/e 8arious #a%tors6 3 %annot sa" t/at t/e =u'1e .as mani#estl" .ron1( or e8en .ron1( in ta7in1 t/e 8ie. t/at not.it/stan'in1 t/at t/e Claimant an' /er /usban' an' #amil" li8e' in strai1/tene' %ir%umstan%es( t/e #a%t t/e" /a' 'one so #or so man" "ears 'i' not =usti#" an a.ar' ./i%/ im0ro8e' t/eir %ir%umstan%es6 ;/e ar1ument on be/al# o# t/e Claimant is in e##e%t t/at be%ause t/ere .ill be no bene#it to t/e Claimant unless /er /ousin1 nee' is met( t/e a.ar' must a%/ie8e t/at result6 ;/at %an not

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be t/e ri1/t a00roa%/6 2t/er.ise( t/e =u'1e@s 'etermination t/at t/e la%7 o# eC0e%tation tem0ere' t/e a.ar' .oul' be ren'ere' meanin1less6 546 ;/ere#ore( alt/ou1/ 3 see entirel" t/e 'i##i%ult" raise' on t/is a00eal( 3 'o not t/in7 t/at t/e =u'1e( 'oin1 t/e best t/at /e %oul' .it/ t/e material .it/ ./i%/ /e .as 0resente'( %an be sai' to be .ron1( an' 3 'e%line to allo. t/e a00eal6