Repington v Roberts-Gawen (1881âÂÂ82) LR 19 Ch D 520 is a leading English trust law case, concerning the requirement of intention to create a trust, and the requisite level of certainty in the beneficiaries.
Miss Robertsâ will said her bank annuities worth ã8753, 5 shillings were to go on trust, âÂÂfor life unto any immediate or direct descendants of my said brother or nephew who shall bear the name of Roberts-Gawen only, and from and after his or her decease, or in case of failure of any such immediate or direct descendant of my said brother or nephew who shall bear the name of Roberts-Gawen only,â upon trust for certain specified charitable societies. That was her brotherâÂÂs new last name, who had an insane son and a daughter. The daughter had adopted her husband's name, and together they had a son (Miss Roberts' grand-nephew). By royal licence the grand-nephew assumed the name Roberts-Gawen. Then there were no other descendants. The question was whether the grand-nephew could inherit, given that the family name had changed.
Hall VC held that the trust under the will was invalid. The trusts for subsequent life interests of the brother were void for remoteness. The grand-nephew appealed.
The Court of Appeal held the trust was not void but was instead limited because each descendant had a gift for life. Lord Jessel MR said the following.