Cy-près (Gift by will)
Summary policy
Date
September 3, 2003
Reference number
CSP-C23
Key words
Cy-près - Gift by will
Policy statement
Cy-près is a shortened form of the phrase "cy-près comme possible," which in English means "as near as possible." Where property is given in trust for a particular charitable purpose, and it is or becomes impossible, impractical or illegal to carry out the particular purpose, and if the settlor's intention is to devote the property to charitable purposes, the trust will not necessarily fail. The court can apply the cy-près doctrine and direct the application of the property to some charitable purpose which falls within the general charitable intention of the settlor.