Boundary Disputes
Long gone are the days when neighbours could come to a solution over garden fences with a cup of tea. Disputes over boundaries can have severe consequences – even to the point that it can devalue a property. For lengthier disputes, there may be a number of changes and complexities that arrive, which become difficult to resolve without the intervention of an expert.
Such disputes are often quite complex in nature and difficult to resolve without the intervention of an expert, especially as boundaries differ and vary over time. In many instances the boundary may have started out as a straight line but over time may have moved slightly or changed direction due to the removal and/or replacement of the boundary fence, agreements between previous property owners and a number of other factors.
Further complications arise when people rely on Land Registry plans. These plans are not always an accurate reflection of the true boundary line, as they are drawn generally without a measured survey, and are not intended to determine boundaries. They are also drawn with heavy lines separating the properties and, therefore, the boundary cannot be determined precisely, so the reality on the ground can differ quite considerably from the registered plan.
If you are locked into a boundary dispute with your neighbour and have been unable to resolve the matter between you, then speak to a member of our Dispute Resolution team.
We will always try and help you resolve the matter, often through mediation in the first instance, through the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”). ADR encourages parties to explore different ways of finding a resolution without the need for expensive litigation and redress in the Courts. If all parties adopt a pragmatic approach then ADR can be used to obtain a cost effective and satisfactory solution, often ensuring that good neighbourly relations remain or at least provides certainty as to the result.
Our team specialise in boundary and neighbour disputes, as well as being experienced in resolving complaints of nuisance and trespass. Please contact a member of the team who will be happy to do an initial assessment of the facts of your case so you can decide upon the legal options available to you.