KINDS OF TRUST
INTRODUCTION:
There is a divergence of opinion on the question of classification of trusts.
Maitland classified trusts according to the mode of their creation either by the act of party or by
operation of law. Categories of trusts are not exclusive; some trusts could appear in more than one
category.
MEANING:
Trust is an obligation annexed with the ownership of property.
DEFINITION OF TRUST:
According to BACON:
“A trust is the binding of the conscience of one to the intention of another.”
PARTIES OF A TRUST:
- Trustor
- Trustee
- beneficiary
KINDS OF TRUST:
There are different kinds of trusts but may overlap with each other:
A- ACCORDING TO MODE OF CREATION:
1-EXPRESS TRUST;
A direct trust is known as an express trust .A trust created or declared in express term and usually in
writing. In the words of Lord Brougham in Fitzgerald V. Steward(1831),an express trust is one “created, not by facts and circumstances, but by express words.”
KINDS OF EXPRESS TRUST:
\a- Executed Trust;
As the very word and its sense connote , is a trust wherein everything that was required to be done for
bringing the trust into existence has been done and completed by author .He has fully declared a trust
by the instrument.
b- Executory Trust;
As opposed to executed trusts, executor trusts are those which require the execution of some further
instrument or the doing of some further act.
2-PRECATORY TRUST;
The word precatory has been derived from the Latin word PRECARIUS which means entreaty or that
would depend on the pleasure of another. Where words employed in a will or other instrument do not
amount to a positive command or to a distinct testamentary disposition, but are terms of request,
recommendation or expectation. From such words the law will raised a trust called a precatory trust to carry out the wishes of testator.
3-SECRET TRUST;
A secret trust is where the testator gives property to a person, on verbal promise, to hold it in trust for
another person.
4-CONSTRUCTIVE TRUST;
Constructive trust is one which is raised by construction of law, in order to satisfy the demands of justice without reference to any presumable intention of parties either express or implied. Such trust is enforced on the principle of unjust enrichment.5-RESULTING TRUST;
A trust that arises by implication of law, which is established or presumed to be in consonance with
intention of the party, as gathered from the nature of the transaction. Such a trust is the result of an
incomplete disposition or a result of unclear intention as to the disposition (which is difficult to find).
6-IMPLIED TRUST;
A trust raised or created by implication of law is known as implied trust. It arises from the presumed
intention of the owner of the property.
EXAMPLE;
Where A purchases land and conveys it to X, there is prima facie implied trust and X hold it as a trustee for A.
B- ACCORDING TO THE OBJECT:
1-PRIVATE TRUST;
A private trust primarily confers the benefit of the trust on certain persons or a class of them.
2- PUBLIC TRUST;
A public trust, as the very word suggests , confers benefit on the public at large. A public trust may be a charitable trust.
EXAMPLE:
Trust to promote public welfare or education are public trusts.
C- ACCORDING TO NATURE OF DUTIES OF TRUSTEE:
1-SIMPLE TRUST;
A simple trust arises where property is simply vested in one person, for the use of another, and the
nature of trust , not being qualified by the settler. The trust is also termed as bare trust.
2-SPECIAL TRUST;
A special trust is one in which a trustee is interposed for the execution of some purpose, particulary
pointed out.
D- ACCORDING TO CONSIDERATION:
1-TRUST FOR VALUE;
Where consideration has been paid by the beneficiaries to the settler in order to creat a trust, the
resultant trust is one for value.
EXAMPLE:
A creates a trust in favour of P if she marries A, marriage being a valuable consideration.
2-VOLUNTARY TRUST;
An obligation arising out of a personal confidence reposed voluntarily accepted by, one for the benefit of another.
3-ILLUSORY TRUST/TRUST OF IMPERFECT OBLIGATION;
A trust arrangement which takes the form of trust, but because of powers retained in the settler has no
real substance and in reality is not a complete trust.
E- REST KINDS OF TRUST:
1-Trust of valid obligation
2-Accumulation Trust
3-Active & passive Trust
4-Perpetual & short term Trust
5-Irrevocable & revocable Trust
6-Liquidation Trust
7-Testamentory Trust
8-Mixed Trust
