A son whose father made longstanding promises to leave the £8m family farm to him has succeeded in his claim
John Gee junior had worked long hours for low wages since the 1970s with the expectation he would take over ‘the lion’s share’ of the farm, but in 2014 it was transferred to his brother Robert.
Mr Justice Birss awarded John junior a 52% controlling interest in the farm and 48% interest in the land. Robert Gee retained a minority shareholding and interest in the land.
Commenting on Gee v Gee & anor [2018] EWHC 1393 (Ch) for LexisNexis Legal Analysis, Shoosmiths partner Adam Draper said: ‘Birss J was satisfied that a proprietary estoppel had been made out over the farm.’
He said John junior’s claims was helped by an earlier will, supportive evidence from his mother and sister, and evidence given by John senior that contradicted itself.
