In Primecredit Ltd v Yeung Chun Pang Barry ([2016] HKEC 2667) title to the family home was in the name of a father and his son as joint tenants. The father died and the son became sole owner by virtue of the right of survivorship. Primecredit was a judgment creditor of the son. It obtained a charging order in respect of the debt. The defendant’s mother claimed that she had a beneficial interest in the property under a common intention constructive trust or a presumed resulting trust.
The mother had the burden of proof to show that the beneficial ownership was different from the legal ownership. She had undoubtedly contributed to the purchase price. On the facts, however, the court did not believe that a trust in her favour should be inferred from these payments. She had intended to make a gift of the contributions to her son.
Michael Lower
