Friday, 13 March 2026
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD hour
Chair
Michael Gorton, Senior Associate, TGT Legal
Testamentary Promises, Constructive Trusts and Estoppel Claims
- Discuss the ways in which challenges can be brought against testamentary dispositions based on promises, assurances and/or representations made by the deceased during their lifetime.
- Examine recent cases in relation to testamentary promises, constructive trusts and estoppel claims and explore the practical and legal complexities involved in pursuing such claims
- Gain a conceptual overview of these causes of action - highlighting their origins and key distinctions
Presented by Liam McNeely, Barrister, Mills Lane Chambers, and David Adams, Associate, Tompkins Wake
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the legal foundations and key distinctions between testamentary promises, constructive trusts and estoppel claims arising from promises, assurances or representations made by a deceased
- Apply principles from recent case law to assess the practical and legal issues involved in bringing or defending challenges to testamentary dispositions
Presenters
Michael Gorton, Senior Associate, TGT LegalMike is a solicitor qualified in England & Wales. He joined TGT Legal after relocating from London where he worked for several international law firms, having qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2016. He advised trustees of large superannuation schemes in relation to all aspects of trusts law and UK pensions law, including trustee duties and obligations in the context of high value transactions and investments. In New Zealand, he advises private clients in relation to trust establishment and administration, estate planning and relationship property whilst continuing to advise trustees of superannuation schemes
Liam McNeely, Barrister, Mills Lane Chambers
Liam is an independent barrister at Mills Lane Chambers in Auckland, specialising in commercial litigation and dispute resolution. He has particular experience and expertise in trust and estate matters, shareholder disputes, claims against directors (and other fiduciaries), civil fraud claims and property disputes. He has acted as counsel on numerous contentious trust and estate cases and also regularly provides advice to trustees and beneficiaries in relation to non-contentious trust administration matters. Before moving to the bar in early 2024, Liam worked at Bell Gully, Auckland, and, prior to that, Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP, London.
David Adams, Associate, Tompkins Wake
David is an Associate in the Auckland office of Tompkins Wake. He mainly practises in the areas of relationship property, trust and estate litigation. He is an experienced advocate who has represented clients in the Family Court and the High Court, as well as in mediation and arbitration.
