What is the difference between a constructive trust and a resulting trust?

British Columbia, Canada


The following excerpt is from Wong v. Spencer, 1995 CanLII 1572 (BC SC):

20 Constructive trusts are different from resulting trusts. Perhaps the best discussion of the distinction is that of Dickson J. (as he then was) in Rathwell v. Rathwell, 1978 CanLII 3 (SCC), [1978] 2 S.C.R. 436 where he stated (at p. 453-54): The difficulty experienced in the cases is the situation where no agreement or common intention is evidenced, and the contribution of the spouse without title can be characterized as performance of the usual duties growing out of matrimony. There are many examples of this.... Some of these situations may be analyzed as agreement or common intention situations. Such intention is generally presumed from a financial contribution. The doctrine of resulting trust applies. In others a common intention is clearly lacking and cannot be presumed. The doctrine of the resulting trust then cannot apply. It is here that we must turn to the doctrine of constructive trust. . . . The hallmark of the constructive trust is that it is imposed irrespective of intention; indeed, it is imposed quite against the wishes of the constructive trustee.

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