Westpac Banking Corporation v Savin

Westpac Banking Corporation v Savin [1985] 2 NZLR 41 is a cited case regarding the general principles of constructive trusts.

Westpac Banking Corporation v Savin
Court	Court of Appeal of New Zealand
Full case name	Westpac Banking Corporation v Savin
Decided	3 October 1985
Citation	[1985] 2 NZLR 41
Court membership
Judges sitting	Richardson J, McMullin J, Sir Clifford Richmond

Background

Aquamarine was in the business of selling boats, and sold a boat "on behalf" for Savin. After they sold the boat, Aquamarine deposited the cheque in their overdrawn company bank account at Westpac, with the intention of issuing a cheque to Savin for the sale proceeds.

However, before a cheque could be issued to Savin from the company bank account, Aquamarine was placed into liquidation, resulting in Savin not getting paid for his boat.

Unable to sue an insolvent company for his monies, he sued Westpac instead, claiming the cheque banked was on constructive trust on behalf of Savin.

The question at hand was whether Westpac had any knowledge that the cheque was in trust for Savin.

Held

After considering the fact that not only did the Westpac branch manager knew that Aquamarine sold boats on behalf of people, that he also knew that 3 out of 4 boats were sold on such a basis, the Court of Appeal ruled that Westpac had knowledge of the money being on trust, and so were accountable to Savin for the sale proceeds.