Beddoe relief: Origin, scope, limits and some practical points

In Pettigrew and Ors v Edwards [2017] EWHC 8 (Ch) Master Matthews dismissed an application for Beddoe relief by the trustees of a will trust who had been made defendants to proceedings brought against them by the life tenant. The decision is a useful reminder that Beddoe relief will not be granted as a matter of course where a fiduciary is embroiled in litigation, and that therefore trustees and personal representatives (“PRs”) should consider carefully the particular circumstances of their situation before deciding whether to apply for Beddoe relief.