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Devises of advowsons to trustees

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 October 2025

Christopher Jessel
Christopher Jessel*
Affiliation:
Solicitor, UK
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Abstract

A devise of an advowson to human trustees in a will without using words of limitation takes effect, as the result of a parenthesis in section 30 of the Wills Act 1837 and of subsequent legislation, as a settlement for the lifetime of the last survivor of the original trustees; thereafter the advowson will pass to the testator’s residuary beneficiaries. The Law Commission’s Report on Wills recommends that this anomaly should not apply to wills coming into effect in the future. The existing rules will continue to govern wills made before any change in the law.

Keywords

advowsonsChurch of EnglandLaw Commissionpatronagereform

Information

Type
Article
Information
Ecclesiastical Law Journal , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , September 2025 , pp. 337 - 354
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Copyright
© Ecclesiastical Law Society 2025

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References

1 Which can be accessed here: https://lawcom.gov.uk/project/wills/#3-Documents (accessed 18 June 2025).

2 Law Com No 419, Vol II, explanatory notes, paras 1.111 and 1.117.

3 For example Sharpe v Worcester Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd [2015] EWCA Civ 399, [2015] ICR 1241 at para 16.

4 W Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England, 2.iii.1.

5 Mirehouse v Rennell (1833) 7 Bli NS 241 at 318, 5 ER 793 at 765, (1833) 1 Cl & F 527 at 604, 6 ER 1015 at 1044.

6 R (O) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] UKSC 3, [2023] AC 255 at para 29.

7 W A Evershed, Party and Patronage in the Church of England, 1800–1945 (PhD paper, 1985), which can be accessed here: https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:a5385611-8697-4597-bd9d-7bae63a4da64/files/mec6419681b108e43116efc27f6f58774 (accessed 18 June 2025).

8 (1821) 3 Brod & Bing 27, 129 ER 1193. See Dover v Alexander (1843) 2 Hare 275, 67 ER 114.

9 See https://dmbi.online/index.php?do=app.entry&id=2199 (accessed 18 June 2025).

10 See https://www.simeons.org.uk/simeons-trustees-history (accessed 18 June 2025).

11 It now has patronage interests in 165 benefices.

12 HL Deb 17 June 1931 vol 81: debate on Benefices (Exercise of Rights of Presentation) Measure 1931.

13 T Sutton, ‘Advowsons and Private Patronage’ (2019) 21 Ecc LJ 267–288, at 280–282.

14 Cordal’s Case (1593) Cro Eliz 316, 78 ER 566 also summarised in Manning’s Case (1609) 8 Co Rep 94 at 96a, 77 ER 618 at 622; see Law Com No 419 Vol 1 para 11.96; Doe d Player v Nicholls (1823) 1 B&C 336, 107 ER 125; subsequently confirmed for pre-1837 wills: Watson v Pearson (1848) 2 Ex 581, 154 ER 623; Blagrave v Blagrave (1849) 4 Ex 550, 154 ER 1332. See F V Hawkins, A Concise Treatise on the Construction of Wills, 2nd edn (London, 1912), Ch XIII.

15 HL Deb 23 February 1837, vol 36, col 963.

16 Re Irwin [1904] 2 Ch 752; Re Hunter and Hewlett’s Contract [1907] 1 Ch 46.

17 Grayson v Atkinson (1752) 1 Wils KB 333, 95 ER 647; Morris v Lloyd (1864) 3 Hurl & C 141, 159 ER 481 involving a pre-1838 will.

18 See Benefices Act 1898, s 1(2).

19 Re Jackson, Smith v Sibthorpe (1887) 34 Ch D 732; Re Kempthorne [1930] 1 Ch 268; Pile v Pile [2022] EWHC 2036 (Ch), [2024] 1 P & CR 6.

20 See SLA 1925, s 29(1).

21 Re Cayley and Evans’ Contract [1930] 2 Ch 143.

22 [1937] Ch 642.

23 Re King’s Will Trusts [1964] Ch 542.

24 Archbishops’ Instrument dated 31 December 1986 specifying 1 October 1987 plus 15 months (under s 1(2) applied to s 4(3) of the 1986 Measure).

25 SI 1987 No 773.

26 The Welsh Church Act 1914 abolished rights of patronage in Wales.

27 See the Patronage Benefices Rules 1987, Form 13.

28 But see Bocardo SA v S&M Hotels Ltd [1980] 1 WLR 17, Cryer v Scott Bros (Sunbury) Limited (1986) 55 P&CR 183, CA, Macdonald Hotels Ltd v Bank of Scotland plc [2025] EWHC 32 (Comm).

29 PBM 1986, s 3(1).

30 Re Bridgett & Hayes Contract [1928] Ch 163.

31 AEA 1925, s 7.

32 [1985] Ch 62.

33 See now the Reverter of Sites Act 1987.

34 Webster v The Overseers of Ashton-Under-Lyne, Hadfield’s Case (1872-3) LR 8 CP 306 at 321; Rosenberg v Cook (1881) 8 QBD 162.

35 [1985] Ch 62 at 79.

36 [1983] 1 WLR 366 at 373.

37 See Sutton (note 13), at 284–285.

38 [2003] UKHL 37, [2004] 1 AC 546 at para 91.

39 S v UK, App No 10741/84 (13 December 1984).

40 Posti and Rahko v Finland (2003) 37 EHRR 6.

41 Chassagnou v France (1999) 29 EHRR 615.

42 Reports of Judgments and Decisions 1999-VII, p 485, App No 41127/98 (28 October 1999).

43 Anheuser-Busch Inc v Portugal [GC] (2005), App No 73049/01, ECHR 2007-1, Kopecky v Slovakia [GC] (2004), App No 44912/98, ECHR 2004-IX.

44 (2004) 38 EHRR 196.

45 (1978) 16 DR 162. See also Mereworth v Ministry of Justice [2011] EWCA Civ 1796 at para 22.

46 [2004] 1 AC 546.

47 Webb v Webb [1994] EUECJ C-294/92.

48 But see Hunter v Attorney-General [1899] AC 309; Re Church Patronage Trust [1904] 2 Ch 643.

49 Re Cooper’s Conveyance Trusts [1956] 1 WLR 1096; Re JW Laing Trust [1984] Ch 143; Inheritance Tax Act 1984 ss 58(1)(a), 70 and 76.

50 See Incumbents and Churchwardens (Trusts) Measure 1964, s 2(1).

51 Stamp Duties Comr (Queensland) v Livingston [1965] AC 694.

52 Re Leigh’s Will Trusts [1970] Ch 277.

53 [2002] EWHC 218 (Ch).

54 E Coke, Commentary on Littleton, 9b; Re Woking UDC (Basingstoke Canal) Act 1911 [1914] 1 Ch 300 at 307, CA.

55 Coke (note 54), 13b

56 Blackstone (note 4), 2.xv.7.

57 [1933] Ch 29. See also Attorney-General of Ontario v Mercer (1883) 8 App Cas 767.

58 Companies Act 2006, s 1012.

59 Scmlla Properties Ltd v Gesso Properties (BVI) Ltd [1995] BCC 793; Dixon v Crown Estate Commissioners [2022] EWHC 3256 (Ch).

60 Hamilton v Attorney-General [2022] EWHC 2132 (Ch); [2022] BPIR 1427. See C Jessel, ‘Dissolved Corporate Trustees’ (2023) 2 Conveyancer and Property Lawyer 149–165.

61 See https://www.simeons.org.uk/simeons-trustees-history (accessed 18 June 2025).

62 Ex p Vicar of Castle Bytham [1895] 1 Ch 348; Re Bishop of Bath and Wells [1899] 2 Ch 138.

63 Bankes v Salisbury Diocesan Council of Education Incorporated [1960] Ch 631 at 645–649.

64 Law Com No 419, vol I, para 11.101.