Source: https://www.magdalenchambers.co.uk/the-golden-rule/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 20:56:58+00:00

Document:
In Key v. Key  WTLR 1699 a solicitor was criticised for failing to observe the so-called ‘Golden Rule’ in relation to testamentary capacity, while in Wharton v. Bankroft & ors  EWHC 3250 (Ch) similar criticism was considered misplaced.
“If, as here, an experienced lawyer has been instructed and has formed the opinion from a meeting or meetings that the testatrix understands what she is doing, the will so drafted and executed should only be set aside on the clearest evidence of lack of testamentary capacity. The court should be cautious about acting on the basis of evidence of lack of testamentary capacity given by a medical expert after the event, particularly when that expert has neither met nor medically examined the testatrix…” [per Mummery LJ at ¶60].
Considering the practical difficulties of suggesting that precautions be taken, these cases raise the question: when, if ever, should practitioners be observing the Golden Rule?
The first step in answering this question is to consider the wording of the rule itself.
“In the case of an aged testator or a testator who has suffered a serious illness, there is one golden rule which should always be observed, however straightforward matters may appear, and however difficult or tactless it may be to suggest that precautions be taken: the making of a will by such a testator ought to be witnessed or approved by a medical practitioner who satisfies himself of the capacity and understanding of the testator, and records and preserves his examination and finding”.
Yet even as a rule of good practice it has been widely approved by the Courts as having the potential to reduce the risk of a claim of lack of testamentary capacity (e.g. see Sharp v. Adam), and should therefore be offered to testators as an additional precaution even if not observed.
The rule is expressed to apply to two categories of testator, namely those who are ‘aged’ or have suffered a ‘serious illness’, and therefore the next step is to consider which illnesses are ‘serious’ for this purpose, and how old ‘aged’ is.
Illnesses appearing in the reported cases include Multiple Sclerosis (Sharp v. Adam and Perrins v. Holland  2 WLR 1086), cancer (Allen v. Emery  EWHC 2389 (Ch) and Wharton v. Bancroft & others  EWHC 3250 (Ch)), Parkinson’s disease (Re Simpson (1977) 121 SJ 224) and dementia (Hoff v. Atherton  EWCA Civ 1554, Scammell v. Farmer  EWHC 1100 (Ch) and Simon v. Byford & others  EWHC 1490 (Ch)). All are recognised by the medical profession as being capable of affecting testamentary capacity, and it would appear logical that this should be the definition of ‘serious illness’.
Such illnesses do not all require lengthy admissions to hospital, and may not be immediately apparent to the casual observer, rendering it necessary for sufficient enquiries to be made as to whether a diagnosis has been given and/or treatment commenced. If so, then the rule ought to be observed.
In reported cases where no ‘serious illness’ had been diagnosed the age of testators range generally from 76 (Re Morris  WTLR 1137) to 97 (Abbott v. Richardson  EWHC 1291 (Ch)), but it is arguable that the term ‘aged’ should properly relate to the statistical incidence of age-related illnesses capable of affecting capacity such as stroke, dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
The incidence of stroke increases rapidly for those in the UK over the age of 75, from 0.15% to 1%, and it is estimated that 1% of those aged between 65 and 74 in the UK, 10% of those aged over 75 and 25% of those aged over 85 have dementia, making it tempting to suggest that ‘aged’ means ‘over 65’, ‘over 75’ or ‘over 85’. However, around 15,000 people in the UK are estimated to have dementia under the age of 65, and the statistics show no differentiation between those over 50 and those over 75 in relation to the incidence of Parkinson’s disease (1%) or depression (10-15%) in the UK.
In the context of application of the Golden Rule I would therefore submit, however tactless it may appear, that ‘aged’ should mean ‘over 50’.
However it is clear from this test, which does not refer to the terms ‘aged’ or ‘serious illness’, that there are many categories of testator beyond merely those identified in Kenward v. Adams to whom the Golden Rule could and perhaps ought to be applied. Obvious examples include those affected by physical trauma (e.g. head injuries), emotional trauma (e.g. bereavement as in Key v. Key), drugs (e.g. morphine, corticosteroids, barbiturates, alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, LSD), and toxins (e.g. lead, arsenic, mercury), all of which are recognised as being capable of affecting capacity.
In addition, while not forming part of the Banks v. Goodfellow test or the rule set out in Kenward v. Adams, one of the features most common to the cases reviewed is that the terms of the relevant Will are in some way controversial, e.g. in Sharp v. Adam the Court of Appeal considered the Will to be ‘partly irrational’, and in both Key v. Key and Hawes v. Burgess there was a significant departure from the previous Will-making pattern.
While the Golden Rule is merely a rule of good practice which may be considered difficult or tactless to suggest, it’s observance is recognised as having the potential to reduce the risk of a claim of lack of testamentary capacity. It is clear from the cases that such a claim is not limited to those testators who are ‘aged’ or who have suffered a ‘serious illness’, and it would therefore appear less difficult and tactless to offer it’s observation to all testators as an additional precaution, should they wish to incur the expense, within a firm’s standard guidance or questionnaire.
(iv) do you have concerns, or have concerns been expressed by anyone else, as to his mental capacity (e.g. episodes of drowsiness, confusion, forgetfulness or a marked change in personality)?
If the answer to any one or more of these questions is yes then I would suggest the rule ought to be observed where the terms of the Will appear controversial, where substantial changes are being made to the previous Will-making pattern, or where there is no evidence of any previous Will-making pattern.

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