Consolidated practice directions

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1. 
Rule 9B of the 
Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1967
requires that an 
applicant for a grant or applying to re-seal a grant file a statement 
setting out particulars of the assets and liabilities of the deceased. 
2. 
The statement must be verified, ie, sworn to be true, and annexed to the 
affidavit. 
3. 
The applicant must swear to each element of r 9B of the 
Non-Contentious 
Probate Rules
: it is not sufficient that the applicant identify the statement 
merely as 'a statement under rule 9B(1)'. Although the applicant is only 
required to swear to the truth of matters going to the substance of the 
rule, failure to comply adequately with the rule will lead to a requisition 
being raised on the application. It is therefore recommended that the 
following form of oath be used:
'Attached hereto and marked ' ' is a true and correct statement 
setting out: 
(a) all movable property, wherever situated, and all immovable 
property in Western Australia comprised in the estate of the 
deceased; 
(b) the value at the time of death of the deceased of the property 
referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof; and 
(c) all debts, wherever situated, owing by the deceased at the 
time of his death.' 
4. 
Circumstances will arise, where notwithstanding the search and inquiry 
that the applicant must make, he or she is not prepared to swear to the 
truth or adequacy of the statement, and in those circumstances it is 
sufficient if the application uses the expression 'a statement which so far 
as I have been able to ascertain is true and correct setting out ...' or 
words to that effect. 
5. 
No form of statement of assets and liabilities is prescribed, but the 
following form, at 9.1.3.1, is recommended. Its adoption assists the court 
in ascertaining other facts which are also essential to grants of letters of 
administration
. 

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9. Specialised Procedures 
9.1.3 
Supreme Court of Western Australia 
Consolidated Practice Direction
6. 
An appropriate attachment cover sheet should be attached to the 
statement of assets and liabilities
. 
7. 
Rule 9B of the 
Non-Contentious Probate Rules 
does not apply where death 
occurred before 1 January 1980 (in relation to which deaths a statement 
of assets and liabilities continues to be required by the Commissioner of 
State Taxation for death duty purposes), nor where the applicant is the 
Public Trustee or a Western Australian trust corporation, nor where the 
Court or a Registrar, in special circumstances, so directs. Where such a 
direction is sought, the special circumstances relied upon should be set 
out in the affidavit leading to the grant. 
8. 
Where a grant is sought before the information required by r 9B of the 
Non-Contentious Probate Rules 
can be ascertained, the applicant can 
request a deferral of compliance with the rule by written application 
including an undertaking to comply with the rule as soon as may be 
practicable. 

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9. Specialised Procedures 
Supreme Court of Western Australia 
Consolidated Practice Direction
9.1.3.1.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities