Luaiava Fagalilo v Seneti Time - SC 102/2011

Summary

Civil Appeal – Trusts – The Green Valley Church Assembly formed in 1984 and was formally affiliated with Assemblies of God in New Zealand Incorporated (AOGNZ) – The church set up a trust to own their church property in 1985 – The Trust Deed specified that trustees could not act inconsistently with the AOGNZ Constitution and Rules – The Constitution stated that no member church could also hold a certificate of membership with another organised body with a distinct constitution – A schism in the church occurred in 2005 when the Samoan Assemblies of God New Zealand (SAOG), which some church members were affiliated with, incorporated – Trustees who were affiliated with the SAOG were not acting in accordance with the Trust Deed – Appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal requiring an election by the members of the church affiliated with the AOGNZ of persons to be nominated as trustees – Whether the Court of Appeal erred by effectively giving full control of church property to members affiliated with the AOGNZ – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in not obliging the respondent to enter into dialogue aimed at settlement of the parties’ differences –   Whether the Court of Appeal erred by failing to consider the existence of constructive trusts whereby the Trust Board holds its assets in trust for the people who paid for them or otherwise contributed to them since acquisition.  [2010] NZCA 402   CA 191/2010

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