Mishcon de Reya CFA saves RSPCA will case from scrap heap

Readers' comments (5)

• Anonymous | 21-Oct-2009 10:36 am

  The farm is presumably a source of income, Christine Gill surely wouldn't want it as a keepsake for sentimental reasons. The RSPCA is a charity relying on gifts, like the farm, to fund its operations.
  If a source of your income was in jeopardy you'd take reasonable steps to protect it wouldn't you? Given that the RSPCA, an organisation which relies on charity to address other people's problems, is now out-of-pocket because of it's attempt to defend its expected income, would it not be reasonable to request that it's costs to defend that lost potential income be offset by the entity that will now acquire that new income in the future?
  What does barrister Tracey Angus really think is astonishing? I'm astonished that she claims astonishment...

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• Anonymous | 21-Oct-2009 1:46 pm

  My understanding was that the whole basis of the application surrounded the fact that Christine Gill was promised the family farm and she wanted to take over running it - of course she wants to keep it for sentimental reasons! Costs would primarily come out of the estate which would mean that the farm would have to be sold and she ends up with nothing; a lose/lose for all except the solicitors! The costs arguments must now surround the P36 offer which the RSPCA made and Ms Gill beat at trial.

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• Anonymous | 7-Feb-2010 10:01 pm

  We are all encouraged to make a will but this case has made a nonsense of the whole concept.
  
  I do not want any barrister and judge to make changes to my will after I am deceased because adults who omit their children from a will have a reason(s) for doing so. Although many parents are unlikely to inform their children of their intention whilst they are still alive.
  
  Claims of this type are inappropriate after the parent is deceased and can no longer speak for him or herself. The childrens' allegations can be invented!
  
  Christine Gill has done rather well for herself.
  
  
  
  This case has made a mockery of a will.

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• Sage99 | 8-Jun-2010 5:09 pm

  It appears to me that the judge has ignored the written wishes expressed in the will of the mother and dispensed the estate according to his.
  
  If the mother had wished to change it she could, and would, have done so.
  
  In my opinion this case has made a mockery of a will, and brings HM courts, and law, into disrepute.

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• anon | 7-Aug-2010 0:15 am

  this women was promised the farm her dad forced her mum to sign the will leaving the farm to the rspca so now this well respcted chrity resorts to bullying in order to get a farm it never really had

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