Despite best intentions, it is impossible to entirely negate the risk of conflict arising from a family trust. By their nature, trusts tend to span several decades and "futureproofing" them against societal changes,...more
When a construction project goes bad, there will often be more than one party looking for payment. The project owner might fail to pay both the contractor and the lender. If both the contractor and lender have liens, whose...more
In a recent case, the California Court of Appeal held that a contractor could foreclose a mechanic's lien, over the project owner's objection, even though the contractor had not provided a preliminary notice of lien to the...more
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory with a parliamentary legislature and has been largely self-governing since 1620. It has economic, legal and political stability which attracts international businesses and...more
Release of Liens- One statute specifically affects mortgage servicers and mortgagees. The statute (House Bill 219) adds Section 343.108 to the Texas Finance Code, which requires a mortgage servicer or mortgagee to deliver a...more
Offshore: What is appropriate? Robert Lindley and Wesley O’Brien discuss cases where offshore family courts act as auxiliaries to those onshore - Generally, for a foreign judgment to be capable of enforcement in an...more
In the Matter of the X Trusts [2021] SC (Bda) 72 Civ (7 September 2021) - Assistant Justice Dr Ian Kawaley of the Supreme Court of Bermuda has provided a seminal judgment on the role of Protectors in offshore trusts. Such a...more
Everybody is familiar with the part of a wedding where the audience is given an opportunity by the person officiating to express why the couple about to be married should not proceed with the ceremony, telling all present to...more
Despite valid service on the issuer, the English court refused to grant declarations sought by a corporate trustee as to amounts outstanding under unsecured notes issued by a now-insolvent issuer. The declarations would be...more
While English courts have wide powers to give guidance to trustees, they’re generally reluctant to exercise their discretionary jurisdiction to make a declaration unless there’s a real dilemma requiring their intervention. ...more
In real estate cases—which frequently involve long purchase agreements, loan documents, personal guarantees, deeds of trust, etc.—we’ve likely all had a client or opposing party who trots out the line that they didn’t know...more
Nevada’s Foreclosure Mediation Program (FMP), statutorily mandates mediation before a non-judicial foreclosure of an owner-occupied residence can proceed. It also encourages the judicial review of that mediation. It has been...more
In This Issue: - The Innovative Design Protection Act: Bound for Success or Doomed to Fail? - Strategic Licensing Considerations - New Faces - Points from the President - Think Again Before Walking Away from...more