Secret Trusts

Where a testator gives property to a person, on a verbal promise by the legatee or devisee that he will hold it in trust for another person, this is called a "secret trust." The English rule is, that if the secret trust would have been valid as an express trust, it will be enforced against the legatee or _ devisee, while if it would have been invalid as an express trust, e. g., by contravening the provisions of the mortmain act, the gift fails altogether, so that neither the devisee or legatee, nor the object of the trust, takes any benefit by it. Lewln, Trusts, 51; Watson, Comp. Eq. 54. SECRETARY OF DECREES AND INjunctions. An officer of the English court of chancery. The office was abolished by St. 15 & 16 Vict. c. 87, § 23.

Where a testator gives property to a person, on a verbal promise by the legatee or devisee that he will hold it in trust for another person, this is called a "secret trust." Sweet.

Defined under Trust in Black's Law Dictionary.