Equity & Trusts tutoring

Make sense of Equity & Trusts.

Equity is sometimes seen as imprecise, which is where students lose marks. Each doctrine is in fact a structured test, and treating it that way produces stronger answers. The subject covers fiduciary duties, the trusts and the equitable remedies.

The subject, module by module

Twelve modules, end to end

Each guide sets out the idea, the cases at a glance, the rules with their shapes, the worked examples and the way the examiners test it. The practice bank holds 119 problems, each with a Pass answer, an H1 answer and examiner's comments.

  • 1

    Equity and conscience

    Where equity comes from, how it operates on conscience, and the maxims that steer every later module.

    Guide
  • 2

    Fiduciary relationships and duties

    Who is a fiduciary, the no conflict and no profit rules, and the remedies for breach.

    Guide10 drills
  • 3

    The trust: nature, functions and theory

    The anatomy of the trust, its social and commercial functions, and the taxonomy of trusts and powers.

    Guide
  • 4

    Express trusts I: formalities, intention and subject matter

    The formalities for declared trusts and the certainties of intention and subject matter.

    Guide9 drills
  • 5

    Express trusts II: certainty of objects

    The complete list and criterion certainty tests, powers and trust powers, and the ways a class fails.

    Guide10 drills
  • 6

    Trust and debt: the Quistclose trust

    Money lent for an exclusive stated purpose, the trust that arises when the purpose fails, and who can enforce it.

    Guide10 drills
  • 7

    Charitable purpose trusts

    The four heads of charity, public benefit and the personal nexus rule, and the statutory overlay.

    Guide9 drills
  • 8

    Trustees' duties and investment

    The core duty, the statutory investment code, ethical investment and relief from liability.

    Guide11 drills
  • 9

    Resulting trusts and advancement

    Purchase money contributions, the presumptions and their displacement, and illegality.

    Guide11 drills
  • 10

    Constructive trusts

    Common intention and joint endeavour constructive trusts, and when retention becomes unconscionable.

    Guide9 drills
  • 11

    Third parties: Barnes v Addy

    Knowing receipt and knowing assistance, the Baden scale, and the alternatives when the design threshold fails.

    Guide11 drills
  • 12

    Tracing, proprietary remedies and defences

    Following value through mixed accounts, the presumptions and the lowest intermediate balance, and the defences.

    Guide13 drills
  • Exam tier

    Sixteen integrated scenarios in the format of the real paper, 33 marks each, with model answers and examiner's comments. Four follow the combined Section A format with an essay part.

    Practice bank

The challenge

Where students get stuck

The problems reward precision. The fiduciary analysis requires identifying the relationship, the no conflict and no profit rules, and the consequences. The trusts, whether express, resulting or constructive, each have requirements that must be established. The three certainties are a strict test that is often applied loosely. The remedies, including equitable compensation, an account of profits and the constructive trust, are separate questions and are sometimes confused with the duties that gave rise to them.

How I help

We treat each doctrine as a structured test: the rule with authority, each requirement established on the facts, then a conclusion, with the trusts and the remedies kept distinct. Equity combines strict tests with discretionary remedies, and we work on identifying which applies. We cover the cases and practise past problems so the answers are precise.

The method

One method, every problem

Four steps run every argument: name the issue, state the rule, apply it to the facts, conclude. Almost every legal rule takes one of six shapes. Any of these six shapes may carry a twist. Learn the six shapes and the twist →

Complete, end to end. Twelve module guides, eight decision flowcharts, a registry of 90 rules, and a practice bank of 119 problems: 103 single issue drills and 16 integrated exam scenarios, each with a Pass answer, an H1 answer and examiner's comments.

Common questions

Equity & Trusts tutoring FAQ

Do you cover fiduciary duties and the trusts?

Yes. Fiduciary duties, express, resulting and constructive trusts, breach of confidence and the equitable remedies.

Equity feels vague to me. Can you help?

Yes. We turn each doctrine into a structured test. Your answers get precise.

Can you help before the exam?

Yes. Focused problem practice. Book early.

Related subjects: Property, Contracts, Remedies. See all subjects, or read the publication on practice hypotheticals.

Make sense of Equity & Trusts.

Work through the twelve module guides, then test yourself on 119 problems with model answers and examiner's comments. One-on-one tutoring is available now.