Pettit v Pettit [1970] AC 777

ON THIS DAY in 1969, the House of Lords delivered Pettit v Pettit [1970] AC 777.

A husband claimed a beneficial interest in a property solely owned by his wife. The basis of the claim was that he had made improvements to the property during the course of the marriage.

The husbands claim was unsuccessful on the facts. However, modern principles of implied trust can be traced back to this case and the subsequent Gissing v Gissing [1971] AC 886.