Review of the Law of Trusts

Opened 14 Mar 2009

Contact Details

• Marion Clifford
• mclifford@lawcom.govt.nz
• 04 914 4816

Public Law
The Law Commission is reviewing the law of trusts. The review will be carried out in three stages: • Stage one of the review will consider the Trustee Act 1956 and the Perpetuities Act 1964.• Stage two will consider the Charitable Trusts Act 1957. • Stage three will consider the trustee companies legislation. The Commission will consult on Stage One by way of a series of short issues papers on: • The Nature and Use of Trusts in New Zealand • The Perpetuities Act 1964 and the variation and resettlement of trusts • Trustees’ duties, liabilities and neficiaries rights • The office of trustee and trust dministration • Trustees’ powers • Any remaining issues, including trading trusts, the registration of trusts and creditor protection. The Commission will then release a final report on stage one which will include draft legislation. Work on stages two and three of the review will follow. The first issues paper is due for release in September 2010.