A Unit Trust is a Trust in which Trust assets are divided into a number of defined shares called "units". The Beneficiaries subscribe for units and become entitled to Trust assets in proportion to the number of units held (although noting, for CGT purposes, it is the unit itself that is the CGT asset not interest that the Unitholder has in the underlying property in the Unit Trust). In a Fixed Unit Trust, there is only one unit class that can be issued on establishment.
The Unit Trust structure is commonly used for business ventures between multiple unrelated parties.
Generally, parties to a Unit Trust are as follows:
Trustee
It is common practice for a "Shelf Company" to be set up specifically as the Trustee of the Trust. Unitholders appoint the Trustee, and the Trust Deed contains the Trustee’s powers. The Trustee legally owns the Trust and may be held personally liable for debts incurred in their capacity as a Trustee. Unitholders beneficially own the Trust via the acquisition of units in the Trust.
Beneficiary i.e. Unitholders
As mentioned above, Unitholders have fixed rights to the Trust’s income and capital.
Trust Deed
The Trust Deed outlines the Unit Trust’s purpose, the rights and obligations of the Trustee and Unitholders also identifies the parties involved. It outlines the relevant process involved when a Unitholder, for example, wants to sell their units.
Note: If you are not 100% comfortable in setting up a Trust or you do not plan to engage your own solicitor then we recommend you add on legal review to your order.
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