Re Bowes [1896] 1 Ch 507 is an English trusts law case, concerning the policy of the "beneficiary principle".

The consequence is that the people may exercise their right to dissolve the trust, according to Saunders v Vautier.

John Bowes in his will left his estate to the Earl of Strathmore for life, and then the rest in tail.

But included, was a gift of £5000 to the trustees for ‘planting trees for shelter on the Wemmergill estate’.

North J held that the trust was for the benefit of the owners of the estate.