The Court of Appeal held that a resulting trust can be extinguished by the trustee's subsequent conduct showing intention to hold on express trust terms.

Tinsley v Milligan established that a party can recover property held under an illegal trust if they can prove their equitable interest without relying on the illegality. The case clarified the application of the 'reliance principle' in cases involving illegal transactions between joint participants.

The Court of Appeal held that a half-secret trust fails if the terms communicated to trustees differ from those specified in the will.

The House of Lords held that where a settlor transfers property to trustees but retains some benefit or control, they remain the beneficial owner for tax purposes. This established the principle that incomplete dispositions of beneficial interests cannot escape tax liability through technical legal arrangements.

Actus reus can be satisfied by omission where legal duty to act exists

Romer J established that secret trusts can be enforced even when one of several trustees refuses to accept the trust obligation.

A local authority entered into an ultra vires interest rate swap agreement with a German bank, leading to disputes over restitution and proprietary claims. The House of Lords clarified the law on resulting trusts, unjust enrichment, and restitution of ultra vires payments by public bodies.

House of Lords revolutionizes trust law by requiring causation for breach claims

This House of Lords case rejected the concept of a 'family asset' doctrine and established that matrimonial property rights are governed by ordinary property law principles, not special family law rules.

Trustee cannot claim benefit of doubt when mixing trust funds with own money

Secret trusts can be established by clear evidence of intention, communication and acceptance.

Burns v Burns established that mere cohabitation and domestic contributions without financial contributions to property acquisition do not create beneficial interests under resulting or constructive trusts. The case highlighted the harsh consequences for unmarried partners who lack legal protection for property rights.

Mistaken payments create immediate constructive trusts giving equitable proprietary interests.

This House of Lords case established the modern framework for determining beneficial interests in family homes through resulting and constructive trusts, requiring direct financial contributions or express/implied common intention.

Bribe proceeds held on constructive trust from moment of receipt by fiduciary

House of Lords establishes liability for omission after creating dangerous situation

The Supreme Court unanimously held that Morrisons was not vicariously liable for a rogue employee's deliberate misuse of colleagues' personal data. The decision clarified the limits of vicarious liability in employment law, particularly regarding data breaches committed by employees acting on personal vendettas. The Court also confirmed that the Data Protection Act 1998 does not exclude vicarious liability for wrongs committed by an employee acting in the course of employment.

Equity enforces secret trusts to prevent fraud despite apparent contradiction of statutory formalities.

Purpose trusts valid when beneficiaries have direct enforceable interest

Third parties liable for breach of trust through dishonest assistance or knowing receipt

Non-charitable purpose trusts void for lack of beneficiaries to enforce them.

Court creates personal remedy against innocent recipients of wrongly distributed estate funds

Section 2(1) damages assessed on fraud basis, including all consequential losses.

Criminal liability established for murder by omission where duty to act exists

Fiduciaries must account for unauthorized profits despite acting honestly

Secret trusts bind trustees despite beneficial gifts under wills

No unlawful act manslaughter without mens rea for the underlying unlawful act

Discretionary trusts valid if clear cases identifiable despite uncertain borderline cases.

Court rejected extension of anomalous exceptions to non-charitable purpose trust invalidity.

A continuing act can constitute assault when mens rea is formed during the act.

Chief Rabbi clause valid; expert determination can cure conceptual uncertainty in trusts

Beneficiaries cannot compel trustees to disclose reasons for exercising discretionary powers.

Reckless criminal damage requires risk to property beyond the damaging instrument itself.

Gifts to unincorporated associations valid as beneficial gifts to members under contract-holding theory.