header-logo header-logo

Things unsaid

Jones v Kernott: to infer or to impute, asks Jonathan Fowles

The decision in Jones v Kernott [2010] 3 All ER 423 should invite property practitioners to take stock of developments in the law of common intention trusts. Beneath the surface of Jones v Kernott is a long-running and profound academic debate about the nature and justification of the common intention trust, which seems not to have been resolved by Stack v Dowden [2007] 2 AC 432. It would be inappropriate in an article of this length to attempt to do justice to that debate or to engage with it. This article seeks to place Jones v Kernott in the context of earlier case-law, and to suggest in light of that what the impact of the decision might be.

The issue in Jones v Kernott

An unmarried couple live together in a house registered in their joint names. At no time do they discuss in what shares they own the property. They subsequently separate

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

Nikki Bowker, head of litigation and dispute resolution at Devonshires, on career resilience, diversity in law and channelling Elle Woods when the pressure is on

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Leasehold enfranchisement specialist joins residential property team

DWF—Chris Air

DWF—Chris Air

Firm strengthens commercial team in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
The High Court’s refusal to recognise a prolific sperm donor as a child’s legal parent has highlighted the risks of informal conception arrangements, according to Liam Hurren, associate at Kingsley Napley, in NLJ this week
The Court of Appeal’s decision in Mazur may have settled questions around litigation supervision, but the profession should not simply ‘move on’, argues Jennifer Coupland, CEO of CILEX, in this week's NLJ
A simple phrase like ‘subject to references’ may not protect employers as much as they think. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, analyses recent employment cases showing how conditional job offers can still create binding contracts

An engagement ring may symbolise romance, but the courts remain decidedly practical about who keeps it after a split, writes Mark Pawlowski, barrister and professor emeritus of property law at the University of Greenwich, in this week's NLJ

Medical reporting organisation fees have become ‘the final battleground’ in modern costs litigation, says Kris Kilsby, costs lawyer at Peak Costs and council member of the Association of Costs Lawyers, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll