A deed contained a recital that it was intended to be a part of all future contracts for sale of the plots that the several purchasers should execute the deed, and be bound by the stipulations contained in it; and thereby it was expressed that each purchaser covenanted with the vendors and with the other purchasers to conform to certain stipulations restrictive of the mode of building on the plots, but there was no express covenant to the like effect by the vendors. Some of the plots were sold, and the several purchasers executed the deed, as did also the vendors. For twenty years subsequently the stipulations were observed, and as plots were from time to time sold the respective purchasers executed the deed.
Held: Kay J discussed the appropriate interpretative techniques to be applied to a recital, saying: ‘I am clearly of opinion that the recitals in this deed do not mean that the intention was one which the trustees were at liberty to change, but that the meaning is that the land coloured green, whether sold or unsold, should not be used in a manner contrary to the building scheme, or, to take the very point now in controversy, that none of the lots marked on the building plan should have more than one house built on it.
Then, if that is the meaning of this deed, what is its effect? It is a deed inter partes, the several parties being the vendors and the purchasers who execute. No formal words are necessary to make a covenant in such a deed. A statement of a binding intention on the part of the vendors who execute the deed, made, on the face of it, for the purpose of inducing the several purchasers to buy, is as good a covenant as could be made by the most formal words.’
Judges:
Kay J
Citations:
(1890) 43 ChD 265
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Cited by:
Cited – CGIS City Plaza Shares 1 Ltd and Another v Britel Fund Trustees Ltd ChD 13-Jun-2012
The claimants asserted a right of light either by prescription or under lost modern grant. The defendants argued that alterations in the windows arrangements meant that any prescription period was restarted.
Held: ‘the Defendant is not correct . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.
Land
Updated: 14 November 2022; Ref: scu.463799
