Inheritance : The Ilott v Mitson Ruling

The Supreme Court has handed down judgment in the inheritance case of Ilott v Mitson. The Court found unanimously in favour of the charities when considering, for the first time, the scope of judges' powers under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (the "Act").

The Estate

Mrs Ilott's mother, Melita Jackson, died in 2004 leaving the entirety of her £486,000 estate to three charities, namely the Blue Cross, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, with whom she had little or no connection during her lifetime.  At the time of her mother's death, Mrs Ilott had been estranged from her mother for some 26 years.