Abstract / Description of output
Trusts, originally used to protect family landholdings over generations, have developed into a vehicle that not only acts as a guardian of family property, but also operates as an entrepreneur for commercial uses. The significant role the
trust plays in financial markets has also spurred 15 the introduction of trusts into civilian jurisdictions. This new role of trusts invites scholars to rethink general notions of the law like property, company, or tax in the context of trust law.
Through an examination of the evolution of 20 trusts, notably in China, this article seeks to redress misunderstanding of the new role of trusts and remove some of the mystery around the trust by placing it within the broader historical context within which trusts evolved. It also critically analyses the reasons for such evolution and attempts to answer the question of what makes a trust attractive for commercial uses. The article argues that the popularity of trusts in modern commercial and financial markets lies in the inherent flexibility of the trust device, the independence of trust property, the segregation of control and benefits of trust property, an ability of the trust to circumvent legal obstacles, and advantages of the
trust over other business entities, such as companies.
trust plays in financial markets has also spurred 15 the introduction of trusts into civilian jurisdictions. This new role of trusts invites scholars to rethink general notions of the law like property, company, or tax in the context of trust law.
Through an examination of the evolution of 20 trusts, notably in China, this article seeks to redress misunderstanding of the new role of trusts and remove some of the mystery around the trust by placing it within the broader historical context within which trusts evolved. It also critically analyses the reasons for such evolution and attempts to answer the question of what makes a trust attractive for commercial uses. The article argues that the popularity of trusts in modern commercial and financial markets lies in the inherent flexibility of the trust device, the independence of trust property, the segregation of control and benefits of trust property, an ability of the trust to circumvent legal obstacles, and advantages of the
trust over other business entities, such as companies.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 453-467 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Trusts & Trustees |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 2 Mar 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2017 |
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Ruiqiao Zhang
- School of Law - Senior Lecturer
- Edinburgh Centre for Commercial Law
Person: Academic: Research Active