Titles in the Complete series combine extracts from a wide range of primary materials with clear explanatory text to provide readers with a complete introductory resource. The chapter looks at the nature of fiduciary duty and how someone becomes a fiduciary. The liability of fiduciaries for breach of trust is considered. Bribery and secret profits are explained, the meaning, nature, and approaches to constructive trusts are studied, and the various circumstances in which constructive trust might emerge are discussed. These include remedial and institutional constructive trusts. The liability of third parties (strangers) in constructive trusts as trustees de son tort, dishonest assisters, and those in knowing receipt are considered. The meanings of ‘knowledge’ and ‘dishonesty’ in this area of the law are explained, as is the level of liability of constructive trustees.
Chapter
15. Constructive trusts and fiduciary duty
Chapter
20. Personal Liability of Third Parties
This chapter examines the personal liability of third parties when there is a breach of trust or breach of fiduciary duty. It explains that there are two types of personal liability of third parties. One is receipt-based liability when a third party has received property in which the beneficiary or principal has an equitable proprietary interest and the other is accessorial liability when the third party has encouraged or assisted a breach of trust or fiduciary duty. The elements of different causes of action relevant to receipt-based liability and accessorial liability are examined, notably the action for unconscionable receipt and the action of dishonest assistance. The controversial question of whether liability should be strict or fault-based is considered and, if the latter, the nature of the fault requirement.
Chapter
10. The fiduciary duty
The fiduciary duty is the defining duty of trusteeship and consists of several overlapping obligations intended to promote loyalty or faithfulness. As part of his fiduciary duty, the trustee should avoid conflict with the interests of the trust and not to make an unauthorized profit from the trust property, or from his position of trust. The fiduciary duty may also apply to a person who is not a trustee, in which case he is said to be a fiduciary. This chapter examines the principal obligations of trusteeship and the implications of breach of those obligations for trustees, beneficiaries, and third parties. It first discusses the strict rule of exemplary fiduciary propriety before turning to the duty of good faith. The chapter also looks at fiduciary relationships and fiduciary duties, the fiduciary duty to avoid conflicts of interest, the fiduciary duty to account for unauthorized profits, and trustee remuneration.
