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*271 Willis and Others Appellants; v Barron and Others Respondents.House o) ords

13 May 1 02

[1 !"# A.$. "%1 ar$ o) Ha$sbury /"/, ord Macna .ten, ord *.and, ord Da&ey, ord 'ram#ton, and ord Robertson/

1 02 May 13/

Solicitor and ClientConfidential RelationMistakeRectification of DeedBenefit conferred by Client onnear 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$icitor and renounced ri .ts s.e .adunder t.e sett$ement/ A)ter .earin t.e so$icitor6s e-#$anation o) t.e deed s.e e-ecuted it:7

He$d, t.at s.e +as not bound by t.e deed, on t.e round t.at t.e rea$ e))ect o) it on .er ri .ts and #osition+as not in )act e-#$ained to .er, and a$so on t.e round t.at it +as t.e duty o) t.e so$icitor to ta8e care t.ats.e did not e-ecute t.e deed +it.out .a&in inde#endent ad&ice/

!.e decision o) t.e "ourt o) A##ea$ 91 00 2 "./ 121, a))irmed /

'; a deed o) December, 1< 0, to +.ic. =amon 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$$is )or $i)e, and a)ter .is deat. )or .is +i)e )or$i)e@ in de)au$t o) issue =+.ic. .a##ened> a enera$ #o+er o) a##ointment +as i&en to ?ose#. %i$$is and .is+i)e oint$y, and sub ect t.ereto a enera$ #o+er o) a##ointment +as i&en to t.e sur&i&or, and sub ect t.eretot.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< 1, to +.ic. ?ose#. %i$$is and .is +i)e +ere #arties, t.e trusts o) t.e deed o) 1< 0+ere &aried by a c$ause t.at t.e #ro&ision in t.e deed o) 1< 0 )or t.e bene)it o) t.e +i)e s.ou$d be construed asa #ro&ision )or .er bene)it so $on on$y as s.e s.ou$d remain t.e +ido+ o) ?ose#. %i$$is: a$so by t.e same deed?ose#. %i$$is and .is +i)e in e-ercise o) t.eir oint #o+er o) a##ointment a##ointed t.at t.e trust )unds s.ou$d

be .e$d as ?ose#. %i$$is a$one s.ou$d a##oint, and in de)au$t o) a##ointment t.en =e-c$udin t.e #o+er o)a##ointment by t.e +ido+ o) ?ose#. %i$$is> u#on t.e trusts dec$ared by t.e deed o) 1< 0 B t.at is to say, as tooneB.a$) in trust )or F/ H/ *8inner/

?ose#. %i$$is died in 1< 3 +it.out .a&in e-ercised .is so$e #o+er o) a##ointment/ 'y a deed in 1< 4, to +.ic.=amon ot.ers> .is +ido+ and %/ M/ *8inner and F/ H/ *8inner +ere #arties, it +as dec$ared t.at t.e income o)t.e trust )unds s.ou$d be #aid to t.e +ido+ o) ?ose#. %i$$is durin .er $i)e in t.e same manner as i) t.e )irstmodi)ication c$ause .ad not been inserted in t.e deed o) 1< 1, and t.at in a$$ ot.er res#ects t.e deeds o) 1< 0and 1< 1 s.ou$d be con)irmed/

!.e deeds o) 1< 0, 1< 1 and 1< 4 +ere a$$ #re#ared by %/ M/ *8inner, a so$icitor, and one o) t.e trustees undert.e deed o) 1< 0/ !.e circumstances under +.ic. Mrs/ ?ose#. %i$$is e-ecuted t.e deed o) 1< 1, and t.ein)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 ords.i#s6 ud ments/ In 1< s.e married t.e res#ondent 'arron, and a)ter+ards

brou .t an action a ainst t.e trustees o) t.e deed o) 1< 0 c$aimin a dec$aration and a recti)ication o) t.e deedso) 1< 1 and 1< 4/ "oEensBHardy ?/, ta8in one &ie+ o) t.e )acts, dismissed t.e action/ 1 !.e "ourt o) A##ea$= ind$ey M/R/ and Ri by and "o$$ins /??/>, ta8in anot.er &ie+, re&ersed t.at decision, and made an orderdec$arin t.at t.e deed o) 1< 1 +as not bindin on t.e #$ainti)) so )ar as it #ur#orted to de#ri&e .er o) t.e

enera$ #o+er o) a##ointment *273 i&en to .er by t.e deed o) 1< 0@ and dec$arin t.at t.e deed o) 1< 4 +asnot bindin on .er so )ar as it con)irmed t.e deed o) 1< 1/ 2 A ainst t.is decision t.e trustees brou .t t.e

#resent a##ea$, +.ic., as +i$$ be seen, turned u#on t.e &ie+ +.ic. t.eir ords.i#s too8 o) +.at #assed bet+eenMrs/ ?ose#. %i$$is and %/ M/ *8inner in 1< 1/

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/

AR CF HA *' R; /"/

My ords, I .a&e not t.e $east doubt t.at t.is ud ment ou .t to be a))irmed, and I con)ess I am a $itt$e sur#rised

t.at t.e $earned ud e +.o .eard t.e case ori ina$$y entertained a di))erent &ie+, and I t.in8 I s.ou$d .a&etreated t.e matter &ery summari$y but )or t.e $earned ud e .a&in entertained t.at &ie+/

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My ords, it seems to me t.at t.ere are one or t+o rounds u#on +.ic. t.e deed +.ic. it is sou .t to set aside by t.is #roceedin mi .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 uryman .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 tosu##ose t.at any $ady under t.e circumstances o) t.is case cou$d )orm a ud ment o) .er o+n as to +.at +as t.ee))ect o) t.ese sett$ements/ And +.en s.e +as to$d t.at it +as )or t.e #ur#ose o) recti)yin a mista8e +.ic. .ad

been made in t.e deed o) 1< 0, it seems to me t.at t.at +as an untrue statement B +.et.er conscious$y orunconscious$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 be an tot.in8 +.at di))erent e&ents mi .t occur, so *274 t.at t.e #ro#erty +ou$d be .e$d in a +ay +.ic. accordin tot.eir t.en &ie+ +ou$d be un ust, did anybody dream t.at any mista8e, in t.e #o#u$ar and natura$ meanin o) t.e+ord, occurred at a$$/

(o+, my ords, $et us see +.at t.e state o) )acts +as/ !.is youn +oman is to$d t.at t.ere +as a mista8e in t.edeed/ 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.econdition o) mind o) a #erson +.o +as to$d t.atG %.ate&er ri .ts +ere i&en by t.e ori ina$ deed, as I too8occasion to say in t.e course o) t.e ar ument, any se$)Bres#ectin #erson, muc. more a #erson bound byendearin ties suc. as ou .t to e-ist bet+een .usband and +i)e, +.en s.e +as to$d a mista8e .ad been made,+ou$d say at once, I) t.ere +as a mista8e made, I +i$$ i&e in at once, and I +i$$ #ut it ri .t/ !.at seems to meto be t.e most natura$ and ordinary course, i&in t.e #erson no e-traordinary credit )or &irtue or se$)Bdenia$/'ut su##ose, instead o) bein to$d t.at t.ere +as a mista8e, s.e .ad been to$d, %.en +e made t.is deed +e

a&e you certain ri .ts, and it may .a##en .erea)ter t.at you +i$$ .a&e suc. and suc. contro$ and #o+er o&ert.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 ou .tto .a&e no+ : +ou$d not t.e attitude o) mind o) t.e #erson to +.om suc. an obser&ation as t.at +as made beentire$y di))erent )rom t.e one +.ic. I su ested ust no+G It does not require ar ument, I t.in8, to ma8e t.atout/

(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.esecircumstances +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) si .t .ere, t.at .e +as .er trustee/

!.en, t.e issue bein , %.at +as it t.at +as said to .er +.en s.e +as induced to e-ecute t.is deedG I )ind in .ercrossBe-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.ou . s.e .ad not B +.at seems to me to be o&erB+.e$min $y conc$usi&e about t.ismatter@ not a statement a$one by .er, but an assum#tion by t.e $earned counse$ +.o is crossBe-aminin .er:

=J/> Do you mean to te$$ .is ords.i# t.at you did not 8no+ #er)ect$y +e$$ t.at t.e deed +asa$tered in connection +it. +.at your .usband .ad been sayin G =A/> (o, I did not/ =J/> %.at doyou t.in8 it +as a$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$$ ri .t/ =J/> ;ou 8ne+ it+as to a$ter t.e sett$ementG =A/> ;es, o) course, it +as a$terin it/ =J/> And you 8ne+ t.at a)tert.e sett$ement .ad been made your .usband .ad com#$ained and ta$8ed in t.is &io$ent +ay to youabout your )ami$y and about .is money oin to t.em B you 8ne+ t.atG =A/> Cn$y )rom +.at Mr/*8inner .ad said to .im/ =J/> ;ou 8ne+ itG =A/> ;es/ =J/> !.en you 8ne+ t.at accordin 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/

(o+, my ords, it is mani)est t.at +.at t.e $ady is assentin to is +.at is actua$$y #ut to .er by t.e $earnedcounse$ +.o a##ears a ainst .er/ He assumes as t.e resu$t o) t.e e&idence be)ore .im B and I su##ose u#on .isinstructions t.at t.at +as t.e state o) )acts B t.at t.at +as +.at +as to$d .er/ I) so, it is im#ossib$e to doubt t.att.at +as a misre#resentation/ It is a$$ &ery +e$$ to say t.at t.e +ord mista8e may be used in a #o#u$ar andambi uous sense/ I am not quite certain t.at I understand +.at is meant by t.at/ I) it is meant t.at t.ere +as amista8e made at t.e time o) t.e e-ecution o) t.e deed o) 1< 0, it is not true/ I) it is meant t.at a)ter )u$$consideration and a)ter t.e $a#se o) si- mont.s t.e #arties .ad be un to t.in8 a ain +.at +ou$d be t.e e))ect o)t.e deed +.ic. t.ey .ad a$ready e-ecuted +it. #er)ect 8no+$ed e, and +it. reat de$iberation, and t.ou .t t.att.e e))ect o) it mi .t be di))erent )rom +.at t.ey .ad at )irst su##osed, t.en t.at is not a mista8e in any sense,

but it is somet.in +.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.ou .t, not indeed t.at it +as a mista8e at a$$, but t.at in &ie+ o)e&ents )o$$o+in t.e deed, #erad&enture t.e arran ement t.ey .ad made in t.e deed mi .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.etime o) t.e e-ecution o) t.e deed in 1< 0@ but t.ey t.ou .t better o) it/ *u##ose t.ey .ad said to t.is $ady, %e.a&e c.an ed our minds@ +e do not +ant to i&e you suc. ri .ts as t .ose +e a&e B I .a&e a$ready commentedu#on +.at +ou$d be t.e resu$t o) t.at/

(o+, my ords, +.at seems to me, +it. t.e utmost res#ect to t.e $earned ud e +.o )ound t.e ot.er +ay, and tot.e "ourt o) A##ea$, +.ose ud ment I t.in8 ou .t to be a))irmed, I t.in8 t.at none o) t.e "ourts .a&ereco nised +.at a##ears to me to be t.e accumu$ated )orce o) a$$ t.is/ Here +as a youn +oman +it.out ad&ice/*.e .ad be un, un)ortunate$y, by reason o) .er .usband6s .abits o) drin8, to contem#$ate a se#aration/ *.e oesto t.is ent$eman and as8s .im )or ad&ice/ He says .e did not 8no+ s.e came to .im as a so$icitor/ He says t.ere+as no entry in .is boo8 ma8in .er .is c$ient/ It seems to me t.at t.at is rea$$y b$indin one6s eyes to t.e courseo) .uman e&ents/ *.e +ent to .im as a )riend/ In one sense s.e did not o to .im as a so$icitor at a$$, I a ree@ buts.e +ent to .im as t.e natura$ #erson to +.om to a##$y )or #rotection/ He says t.at .e stated t.e )acts and .e didnot ad&ise .er/ I +i$$ not u $e +it. +ords/ I 8no+ +.at s.e +ent )or, )rom t.e statement o) bot. o) t.em B s.e+ent t.ere to consu$t a )riend/ He +as a so$icitor too, and .e +as .er trustee/ %as .e under no duty to .is cestuique trust to te$$ .er +.at .er ri .ts +ere, and +.at t.e ri .ts +ere +.ic. s.e +as i&in u#G My ords, it seemsto me, I con)ess, .ard$y susce#tib$e o) ar ument/ He +as under a duty as a )riend, as a so$icitor, and as .ertrustee, to ta8e care t.at s.e t.orou .$y understood +.at +as t.e su##osed error +.ic. .ad been made in t.e)irst instance, and to ma8e .er understand +.at t.e e))ect o) +.at s.e +as doin +as/ *.e says in t.e mostnatura$ +ay t.at s.e did not 8no+ +.at it +as/ *.e *277 +as to$d t.at t.ere +as a mista8e, and o) course .e+as to a$ter t.e sett$ement/ (o+, I &enture to say s.e did not 8no+ +.at t.e mista8e +as/ !.ere is not a sin $e+ord )rom be innin to end t.rou .out t.e course o) t.e e&idence i&en by t.is ent$eman .imse$) to t.e e))ectt.at .e e&er did e-#$ain to .er +.at t.e mista8e, as .e ca$$ed it, +as, and +.at t.e e))ect u#on .er ri .ts +ou$d

be/ He says t.at .e t.orou $y e-#$ained t.e deed/ ;our ords.i#s .a&e seen t.e deed, and you +i$$ )orm youro+n ud ment o) +.at sort o) de)inite idea t.ere +ou$d be in t.e mind o) t.is youn +oman +.en t.is deed +asread o&er to .er and e-#$ained/

My ords, I .a&e t.ou .t it ri .t to say so muc. out o) res#ect )or t.e $earned ud e, +.o too8 a di))erent &ie+,a$t.ou . it a##ears to me to be abundant$y c$ear +.at t.e ud ment o) t.e House must be/

I mo&e your ords.i#s t.at t.is a##ea$ be dismissed +it. costs/

CRD MA"(AKH! (/

My ords, I am o) t.e same o#inion/ *#ea8in )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 ud ments o) t.e "ourt o) A##ea$ B t.at t.e case is &ery near t.e $ine/ It.in8 it is #er)ect$y #$ain@ and, a$t.ou . t.e crossBe-amination +as #rotracted and di))use and as #er#$e-in =Is.ou$d )ancy> to t.e $ady +.o +as crossBe-amined as it .as been to some o) your ords.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 ords, in *e#tember, 1< 1, 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 $i&in to et.er/ !.e re$ations bet+een t.em +ere &ery strained, noton account o) any )au$t o) .ers, but on account o) t.e intem#erate .abits o) .er .usband/ He seems to .a&e beendrin8in .imse$) 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$$y andcoarse$y/ (o+, at t.at time, under a deed made in 1< 0, #ro#erty to t.e amount o) about 15,000$/ +as insett$ement/ !.e )irst $i)e interest +as i&en to Mrs/ *278 Ann %i$$is, t.e mot.er o) ?ose#. %i$$is/ *ub ectt.ereto, t.ere +as a $i)e interest i&en to ?ose#. %i$$is +it. certain #ro&isions intended to #rotect .im )rom t.econsequences o) .is o+n misconduct, and t.en Annie 'ut$er %i$$is, t.e +i)e, .ad a $i)e interest/ In t.e e&ent o)t.ere bein no issue, and in de)au$t o) t.e e-ercise o) a oint #o+er o) a##ointment, t.e sur&i&or o) t.e .usbandand +i)e .ad an abso$ute #o+er o) dis#osition o&er t.e #ro#erty/ !.ere +as an u$timate trust in )a&our o) acousin o) Mr/ %i$$is and Frederic8 Herbert *8inner, t.en a minor, in equa$ s.ares/ !.e sett$ed #ro#erty be$on edori ina$$y to Mrs/ Ann %i$$is and Mr/ ?ose#. %i$$is B t.e youn er Mrs/ %i$$is did not contribute anyt.in 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$ement +as asmuc. .er #ro#erty as i) s.e .ad #ro&ided t.e +.o$e or t.e reater #art o) t.e )und/ !.e sett$ement +as #re#ared

by Mr/ %i$$iam Moore *8inner, +.o seems to .a&e been a so$icitor in $ar e #ractice/ He +as a &ery intimate)riend o) t.e %i$$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 ords, I do not attribute anyt.in $i8e dis.onourab$e conduct to Mr/ *8inner/ I .a&e read t.e +.o$e o) t.ee&idence and a$$ t.e $etters, and I do not t.in8 t.ere is any round )or attributin anyt.in dis.onourab$e to .im@

but I do t.in8 t.at .e ne $ected .is duty on more t.an one occasion/ I t.in8 it +as a &ery un)ortunate t.in t.at

.e #ermitted .imse$) to acce#t t.is i)t in )a&our o) .is son +it.out ta8in t.e ordinary #recautions +.ic. t.e$a+ requires in suc. a case/ I cannot .e$# t.in8in t.at a reat dea$ o) t.e di))icu$ty in t.is case .as arisen )rom.is .a&in ne $ected .is duty on t.at occasion/ In .is conduct to+ards t.e #$ainti)), I t.in8 .e ne $ected .is duty

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o&er and o&er a ain@ .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$eadin /

In *e#tember, 1< 1, t.ere +as a ood dea$ o) discussion bet+een Mrs/ Ann %i$$is and .er son and t.e so$icitorabout t.ese un)ortunate di))erences, as t.ey are ca$$ed, bet+een t.e .usband and t.e +i)e/ In t.e course o) t.oseinter&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$$isand Mr/ ?ose#. %i$$is e-#ressed t.eir dissatis)action +it. t.e contents o) t.e sett$ement, as bein too $ibera$ toyoun Mrs/ %i$$is, and t.ey to$d Mr/ %i$$iam Moore *8inner to .a&e it a$tered to .er detriment/ He $aidinstructions be)ore counse$ +it.out sayin anyt.in to youn Mrs/ %i$$is, t.ou . on$y a )e+ days be)ore s.e.ad .ad an inter&ie+ +it. .im on business/ He says s.e +as not consu$tin .im on t.at occasion@ but +.et.ers.e +ent to .im as )riend or so$icitor, s.e did in )act consu$t .im on a &ery de$icate matter as re ards .erre$ations +it. .er .usband and .er interest in t.e sett$ed #ro#erty/ Ho+e&er, be)ore .e sent t.e instructions tocounse$ .e did not t.in8 it necessary or ri .t to consu$t .er, or e&en to intimate to .er .usband or to .er.usband6s mot.er t.at s.e ou .t to be consu$ted/ At t.e conc$usion o) .is instructions to counse$ .e says: I) anydi))icu$ty s.ou$d arise as re ards t.e assent o) Mrs/ %i$$is, unior =it is c$ear, t.ere)ore, t.at .e .ad not ot .erassent at t.at time, and t.at .e t.ou .t it #ossib$e t.at t.ere mi .t be some di))icu$ty about it>, it is assumed t.e"ourt o) t.e ".ancery Pa$atine o) Dur.am +i$$ be com#etent to recti)y t.e sett$ement in t.e +ay desired, andt.at no "ourt o) $a+ +ou$d .esitate to rant t.e re$ie) as8ed )rom it/ "ounse$ +as o) a &ery di))erent o#inion/He sett$ed t.e deed as requested, but at t.e end o) t.e dra)t .e #ut t.is note: As re ards t.e action o) t.e "ourt,it does not a##ear to me t.at any a$teration cou$d be obtained, )or, a$t.ou . t.e #ro&isions are some+.atunusua$, it seems to me c$ear t.at t.e sett$ement +as made on )u$$ consideration, and t.e "ourt +ou$d on$yinter)ere on t.e round t.at t.e trusts +ere contrary to t.e intentions o) t.e #arties at t.e time o) e-ecution o) t.esett$ement/ I cannot see .o+ t.is cou$d be #ro&ed to t.e satis)action o) t.e "ourt/ !.at +as t.e o#inion o) t.e

ent$eman +.o +as concerned in t.e #re#aration o) t.e ear$ier deed, and +.o .ad one t.rou . it at t.e time&ery care)u$$y +it. Mr/ *8inner/

!.e dra)t +as sett$ed on *e#tember 22, 1< 1/ %.at does Mr/ *8inner do t.enG He does not send it to t.e $adyand e-#$ain it to .er, or anyt.in o) t.e 8ind/ He sends a )air *280 co#y o) it to t.e .usband +it. t.is $etter:

Dear *ir, B %e be to inc$ose you a )air co#y o) t.e #ro#osed deed to recti)y your marria e sett$ement/ !.at is.is descri#tion o) t.e deed ust a)ter .e .ad been to$d +.at .e must .a&e 8no+n B t.at recti)ication +as out o)t.e question/ P$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 en rossed ready )or t.e si nature o) a$$ #arties +it.out de$ay/ *o t.at .eseems to .a&e considered e&en t.en t.at .e .ad a duty to t.e +i)e@ but .e em#$oys t.e .usband B a &ery

e-traordinary medium considerin +.at .ad #assed quite $ate$y at t.e inter&ie+ bet+een .im and t.e $ady B .eem#$oys t.e .usband to e-#$ain to .er t.e #ro#riety o) t.e +.o$e o) .er interest bein ta8en a+ay in t.e e&ent o).er marryin a)ter .is deat./ It is not sur#risin t.at Mr/ %i$$is, actin on Mr/ *8inner6s .int, to$d .is +i)e t.att.e deed +as to correct a mista8e in t.e sett$ement/ !.en .e sent bac8 t.e dra)t by .is mot.er/ (ot.in )urt.ertoo8 #$ace ti$$ *e#tember 30/ Cn t.at date Mr/ *8inner c.ose an e-traordinari$y ino##ortune time )or e-#$aininmatters 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 anyrate, in a most critica$ condition, and t.en .e says .e e-#$ained e&eryt.in to .er/ *.e says s.e does notremember anyt.in o) t.e 8ind/ I t.in8 it is e-treme$y $i8e$y, considerin t.e #osition in +.ic. s.e +as at t.attime, t.at s.e #aid &ery $itt$e attention to +.at +as oin on, and t.e +.o$e t.in may .a&e &anis.ed )rom .ermind@ but $et us ta8e Mr/ *8inner6s o+n account o) it: I sa+ t.e #$ainti)), .e says, in t.e dinin Broom o) .ermot.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$readystated, and t.at t.ey desired to .a&e t.e deed a$tered )or t.e #ur#ose o) de#ri&in .er o) t.e $i)e interest +.ic.s.e too8 under t.e ori ina$ sett$ement, cuttin do+n t.at interest to an interest durin .er +ido+.ood, and

de#ri&in .er o) t.e #o+er o) dis#osin o) t.e #ro#erty #ro&ided s.e sur&i&ed .er .usband +it.out t.eir .a&in oint$y e-ecuted it/ !.en come t.ese +ords: I e-#$ained it as c$ear$y as it +as #ossib$e )or me to do, and as it+as my duty to do/ *o *281 t.at .e #$ain$y reco nises t.at t.ere +as a duty cast u#on .im +it. re ard to t.is$ady/ He .ad t.e duty, as .e says, o) e-#$ainin it@ s.e did not o to .im )or e-#$anation@ .e came to .er/ He )e$tt.at .e .ad t.is duty@ but +.at on eart. +as t.e use o) e-#$ainin +.at +as oin to .a##en to .er un$ess .e a$soe-#$ained to .er c$ear$y +.at .er #osition +as, and +.at course +as o#en to .er and +.at s.e ou .t to do undert.e circumstancesG I quite be$ie&e +.at s.e says, t.at s.e +ent t.rou . +it. t.e e-ecution o) t.is deed under t.eim#ression t.at it +as mere$y to correct a mista8e +.ic. .ad been made in t.e ori ina$ sett$ement/ Her .usbandcertain$y to$d .er so/ Mr/ *8inner admits, or .a$) admits, t.at .e to$d .er so too/ He +i$$ not s+ear t.at .e did notuse t.e +ord mista8e in s#ea8in to .er/ Puttin out o) consideration t.e )act t.at Mr/ *8inner6s son ot a reatad&anta e, I must say I t.in8, e&en i) t.e #erson +.o +as t.e u$timate remainderman .ad been no connection o)Mr/ *8inner, t.ere +ou$d .a&e been am#$e round to set aside t.is deed, considerin t.at Mr/ *8inner +as .er)ami$y so$icitor, t.e #erson to +.om s.e +ou$d natura$$y o )or ad&ice, and t.at .e +as a$so .er trustee/ It ma8esit rat.er stron er +.en you see t.at t.e e))ect o) t.is a$teration +as to ma8e certain, or a$most certain, a i)t in)a&our o) Mr/ *8inner6s son +.ic. +as contin ent and doubt)u$ unti$ t.e deed +as e-ecuted/

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My ords, I .a&e no .esitation in concurrin in t.e motion +.ic. .as been #ro#osed/ I t.in8 t.is a##ea$ ou .t to be dismissed +it. costs/

CRD *HA(D/

My ords, I am entire$y o) t.e same o#inion/ I concur in a$$ t.e obser&ations t.at .a&e been made by my nob$eand $earned )riends, t.e ord ".ance$$or and ord Macna .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-ecutiono) t.e deed o) 1< 1 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$dnot .a&e been t.e #erson to ad&ise .er u#on t.ose interests/ I t.in8, $oo8in at t.e re$ations bet+een t.e #arties,$oo8in to t.e *282 )act t.at Mr/ *8inner +as a )riend and +as trustee in t.e administration o) t.e )unds u#on+.ic. s.e +as de#endent )or .er subsistence t.rou . .er .usband, and t.at .e +as .er a ent, as I ta8e it .e +as,in t.e circumstances +.ic. .a&e been disc$osed, it +as c$ear$y .is duty to require t.at s.e s.ou$d etinde#endent ad&ice/ It is said t.at .e e-#$ained t.e matter to .er/ I a ree +it. my nob$e and $earned )riend, ordMacna .ten, in t.in8in t.at t.at e-#$anation +as not su))icient or satis)actory, e&en as stated by Mr/ *8inner.imse$), as i&en to .er in t.e e&enin at .er mot.er6s .ouse, but +.ic. is, .o+e&er, dis#uted or denied by .er@

but, +.ate&er e-#$anation may .a&e been i&en, I do not t.in8 t.at e-#$anation by .im +as enou ./ I t.in8,$oo8in at t.e circumstance t.at t.ere +as a reat disad&anta e to Mrs/ %i$$is in t.e e-ecution o) t.is deed in+.ic. s.e +as renouncin &a$uab$e interests B at t.e circumstance t.at at t.e same time a bene)it +as bein

i&en to Mr/ *8inner6s o+n son by t.at act o) renunciation, and at t.e circumstance o) Mr/ *8inner6s #osition as

$a+ a ent, as I t.in8 s.e +as entit$ed to ta8e .im as bein at t.e time B $oo8in at t.ese circumstances, I amc$ear$y o) o#inion t.at not.in s.ort o) #uttin t.e interests o) t.is $ady into ot.er .ands +ou$d .a&e satis)ied t.ecase, or .a&e a&oided t.e $e a$ resu$t +.ic. no+ )o$$o+s/ An inde#endent a ent +ou$d, it may be assumed, .a&ee-#$ained to .er t.at t.e deed +as not )or t.e #ur#ose o) mere$y correctin a mista8e, but +as intendedmateria$$y to a$ter .er #osition, and to cut do+n, and on .er #art to renounce, im#ortant #ecuniary ri .ts/ &en$ayin out o) &ie+ t.e ad&anta e to be ained by Mr/ *8inner, unior, 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 ords.i#s, t.at t.e ud ment a##ea$ed )rom ou .t to be a))irmed/

CRD DA ;/

My ords, I am o) t.e same o#inion, and I do not t.in8 it necessary to ma8e any detai$ed e-amination o) t.e)acts o) t.e case +.ic. are brou .t out in t.e e-amination and crossBe-amination o) t.e +itnesses, as I a ree+it. +.at *283 .as been said on t.at #oint by my nob$e and $earned )riend on t.e %oo$sac8 and my nob$e and

$earned )riend o##osite, ord Macna .ten/!.e )irst question is to inquire +.at t.e deed o) 1< 1, +.ic. +as sou .t to be set aside by t.is action, did@ and I)ind t.at it did t+o t.in s, and t+o t.in s on$y/ In t.e )irst #$ace, it cut do+n t.e $i)e interest +.ic. t.e #$ainti))+as entit$ed to durin .er $i)e, in case s.e sur&i&ed .er .usband, to an estate so $on on$y as s.e s.ou$d remain.is +ido+ and not marry a ain@ second$y, it made a materia$ a$teration as to .er interest in t.e ca#ita$ )und, andindeed it de#ri&ed .er o) any #ros#ect o) s.arin in t.e ca#ita$ )und, )or +.ereas under t.e ori ina$ deed s.e+ou$d .a&e .ad a oint #o+er o) a##ointment +it. .er .usband durin t.eir oint $i&es, and i) s.e sur&i&ed .im ase#arate #o+er o) a##ointment, s.e a&e u# bot. .er oint #o+er durin t.eir oint $i&es, and a$so t.e c.ance o).a&in a #o+er o) dis#osition in case s.e sur&i&ed .er .usband/

(o+, my ords, 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 #roquo, +as #ro&ided )or .er by t.e deed/

My ords, t.e ne-t question I as8 is, %.at +as t.e #osition o) Mr/ %i$$iam Moore *8innerG Mr/ *8inner +as .er.usband6s so$icitor, and indeed .e +as t.e so$icitor )or t.e +.o$e )ami$y, and not on$y )or t.e +.o$e )ami$y, but ita##ears t.at .e a$so attended Mrs/ 'ro+n, t.e #$ainti))6s mot.er, +.en s.e +as on .er deat.bed, and I t.in8made Mrs/ 'ro+n6s +i$$ )or .er/ 'ut .e +as more t.an t.at/ He +as a$so a &ery intimate )ami$y )riend o) t.e%i$$is )ami$y, inc$udin t.e #$ainti)) and .er .usband, and +as a trustee under t.e ori ina$ sett$ement/ My ords,I t.in8 it is a sound obser&ation t.at a +i)e usua$$y .as no so$icitor o) .er o+n a#art )rom .er .usband, and It.in8 s.e is #rimN )acie entit$ed to $oo8 to .er .usband6s so$icitor, t.e so$icitor o) .er .usband6s )ami$y, )orad&ice and assistance unti$ t.at so$icitor re#udiates t.e ob$i ation to i&e suc. ad&ice, and requires .er to consu$tanot.er ent$eman/

(o+, my ords, t.e resu$t o) t.e e&idence u#on my mind, *284 +it.out oin into detai$s, is t.at t.is $ady didin )act re$y u#on Mr/ %i$$iam Moore *8inner to ad&ise and assist .er as .er so$icitor/ I do not )ind t.at Mr/*8inner e&er re#udiated t.e ob$i ation to ad&ise t.e #$ainti))/ I am a+are t.at .e says t.at .e +as some+.at sore

at t.e su estion t.at .e .ad made a mista8e +it. re ard to t.e ear$ier deed, and t.at .e required not Mrs/ %i$$ison$y but .er .usband and .er to o and consu$t anot.er so$icitor across t.e street/ 'ut, my ords, t.at is a &erydi))erent t.in )rom ad&isin t.e #$ainti)) to be ad&ised by a so$icitor se#arate )rom .er .usband/ !.e su estion

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+.ic. .e says .e made +as t.at t.ey s.ou$d bot. o and consu$t anot.er so$icitor/ %.at .e ou .t to .a&e done+as to ad&ise .er to consu$t a so$icitor se#arate )rom and inde#endent o) .er .usband/ It is to be obser&ed t.att.e deed +as in )act #re#ared by .im on be.a$) o) a$$ #arties, and I cannot )ind t.rou .out t.is $on e&idencet.at any su estion +as e&er made by anybody t.at it .ad been #erused or sett$ed by any #erson on .er be.a$)/!.ere)ore, I ta8e it to be c$ear t.at .e +as t.e on$y so$icitor actin )or .er in t.e matter, and t.at .e +as t.eso$icitor +.o #re#ared and #erused and sett$ed t.e deed on be.a$) o) a$$ #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 Ri by /?/ says, t.at +as not enou ./ *.e required not on$y e-#$anation as to t.e meanin o) t.e deed,

but +.at s.e +anted +as, or +.at s.e .ad a ri .t to $oo8 )or +as, ad&ice as to .er ri .ts/

My ords, t.e ne-t question I as8 is, %.at +as t.e 8no+$ed e o) t.e #$ainti)) and t.e in)ormation i&en to .eras to t.e circumstances and t.e #ur#ose )or +.ic. t.e deed +as to be e-ecutedG Cn t.ose #oints, a ain, I +i$$not troub$e your ords.i#s by readin $on #assa es )rom t.e e&idence, because I a ree +it. t.e ord".ance$$or t.at t.e in)ormation i&en to .er, and .er be$ie) )ounded u#on t.at in)ormation, +as t.at a mista8e.ad been made in dra+in u# t.e #re&ious deed, and t.at a$$ t.at +as as8ed o) .er +as to #ut ri .t or recti)y amista8e +.ic. .ad been made B inad&ertent$y made B by t .e #arties/*285 (o+, my ords, it is o) course a common#$ace to #oint out t.e +ide$y di))erent #osition o) a +oman +.ois as8ed to #ut ri .t a mista8e made in a deed under +.ic. s.e deri&es &ery considerab$e ad&anta es, and t.at o)a +oman +.o is as8ed, t.e #arties to a deed +.ic. con)erred an ad&anta e u#on .er .a&in c.an ed t.eirminds, +.et.er s.e +i$$ assist t.em to carry out, not t.eir ori ina$ mind and intention, but t.eir ne+ mind andintention/ It is admitted by t.e $earned counse$ )or t.e a##e$$ants =and t.e admission cou$d not .a&e beena&oided> t.at t.ere is no e&idence t.at any mista8e o) )act .ad rea$$y been made in dra+in u# t.e #re&iousdeed/ %.at +e must understand is, t.at t.e #arties, .a&in rea$iEed t.e e))ect o) +.at t.ey .ad done, .adc.an ed t.eir minds/ (o+, i) s.e .ad consu$ted a se#arate so$icitor .e +ou$d .a&e to$d .er t.at it +as not a caseo) a mista8e +.ic. any #erson o) ri .t )ee$in +.o +as ta8in a i)t )rom ot.ers mi .t .a&e considered .imse$)under an ob$i ation to #ut ri .t/ In suc. circumstances I s.ou$d t.in8 most )airBminded #ersons +ou$d say, I+i$$ not acce#t a i)t +.ic. .as been made to me under a mista8e/ 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 ri .ts +.ic. s.e +as entit$ed to under t.atdeed@ at t.e $o+est, .e +ou$d #robab$y .a&e succeeded in ma8in a bar ain and securin )or .er counter&ai$inad&anta es in #$ace o) t.ose +.ic. s.e +as as8ed to i&e u#/

My ords, I t.ere)ore t.in8 t.at t.e ud ment o) t.e "ourt o) A##ea$ in t.is case must be a))irmed, on t.eround 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< 1, and

t.at suc. )ai$ure to ras# t.e true e))ect o) t.e deed arose )rom Mr/ *8inner, +.o .ad assumed t.e #osition andt.e ob$i ation o) ad&isin .er, .a&in )ai$ed to i&e .er #ro#er ad&ice/

My ords, t.e a$terations made in t.e deed made an im#ortant di))erence in t.e #osition o) youn Mr/ *8inner,+.o +as entit$ed to a moiety o) t.e ca#ita$ in de)au$t o) t.e e-ercise o) any o) t.e #o+ers o) a##ointment +.ic.+ere i&en by t.e sett$ement/ In t.e )irst #$ace, .is #ros#ect o) succeedin to a s.are o) t.e ca#ita$ de#ended ont.e sin $e contin ency on$y o) ?ose#. %i$$is dyin +it.out .a&in e-ercised t.e #o+er o) *286 a##ointment,instead o) t.e doub$e contin ency o) t.e oint #o+er not bein e-ercised and t.e +i)e bein t.e sur&i&or =+.ic.e&ent actua$$y .a##ened> and .er not e-ercisin t.e #o+er/ He a$so ained a considerab$e ad&anta e by .is

#ros#ect o) succeedin to t.e ca#ita$ bein acce$erated by t.e #$ainti))6s $i)e interest bein cut do+n to aninterest durin +ido+.ood on$y/

I t.ere)ore t.in8 t.at t.e decision o) t.e "ourt o) A##ea$ may a$so be su##orted u#on t.e round u#on +.ic. t.e$earned ud es 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 #$ainti)) +it.out s.e+in t.e ri .teousness o) t.e transaction, or, in ot.er +ords, t.at s.e .adinde#endent ad&ice and assistance as to .er ri .ts and rea$ #osition/ I t.ere)ore concur in t.e ud ment +.ic..as been #ro#osed/

CRD 'RAMP!C(/

My ords, t.e deed o) 1< 0 +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.an ed 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 ettin t.e #$ainti)) to si n t.e deed in question to e))ect t.is a$teration/ !.edeed +as accordin $y #re#ared, and in order to obtain t.e #$ainti))6s e-ecution o) it s.e +as to$d it +as to recti)ya mista8e in t.e ori ina$ deed/ !.ere +as no mista8e B t.e #arties meant a$$ t.at +as in t.e deed o) 1< 0/ It +asin )act untrue to say t.ere .ad been any mista8e at a$$/

I a ree 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 ud ment #ro#osed/

CRD RC' R!*C(/ My ords, I entire$y a ree/

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