IHTM30033 - Definition and extent of liability: nature of a personal representative's liability

The liability of a personal representative (IHTM05012) is a personal one. Its character as a personal liability is not affected by the limitation on the amount of the liability by virtue of IHTA84/S204 (1).

See IRC v Stannard [1984] STC 245, CTT Cases No. 22.

Although limitations (IHTM30032) may apply, the liability of a personal representative for IHT is not affected by the fact that for example the deceased may

• leave two Wills as in Ld. Advocate v Douglas’s Exors [1911] 55 Rep. CIR, one appointing British executors for his British property, and one appointing foreign executors for his foreign property
• leave one Will as in Re Manchester (Dowager Duchess), Duncannon (Viscount) v Manchester (Duke) [1912] 1 Ch 540, appointing two separate sets of executors.

The liability of an executor de son tort was discussed in IRC v Stype Investments (Jersey) Ltd [1982] Ch 456, CTT Cases No. 15.

The Scottish equivalent of executor de son tort is vitious intromitter.