header-logo header-logo

Boundary disputes: the solicitor’s nightmare

29 November 2018 / Mark Whittell
Issue: 7819 / Categories: Features , Profession , Property , ADR
printer mail-detail

​Mark Whittell offers a novel solution to the stresses & strains of the boundary dispute

  • Mediation can provide a quick, cheap and practical alternative to the protracted and expensive process of resolving a boundary dispute in court.

To the file we all dread—the boundary dispute.

  • The client is acting on a point of principle.
  • The client will be irrational and not act commercially.
  • The costs will be totally disproportionate.
  • The reality is one party will have to move for them to be happy.
  • No matter how well you conduct yourself, the court is going to be highly critical of the fact you have not settled and the costs you have incurred.
  • And it will hang around in your filing cabinet for ages as it will not have any priority.

It all leads to a worried and dissatisfied client and a frustrated solicitor.

The problem

You will be litigating usually over a small strip or piece of land which will have a negligible value, but because of the complexity of the arguments over title and adverse possession, it will creep into

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

A good book, a glass of chilled Albarino, and being creative for pleasure help Liz McGrath balance the rigours of complex bundles and being Head of Chambers

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Firm welcomes director in its financial services financial regulatory team

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn Premium Content

Partner appointment in firm’s equity capital markets team

NEWS

Law school partners with charity to give free assistance to litigants in need

Magic circle firms, in-house legal departments and litigation firms alike are embracing more flexible ways to manage surges of workloads, the success of Flex Legal has shown

Walkers and runners will take in some of London’s finest views at the 16th annual charity event

Law school partners with charity to give free assistance to litigants in need

Could the Labour government usher in a new era for digital assets, ask Keith Oliver, head of international, and Amalia Neenan FitzGerald, associate, Peters & Peters, in this week’s NLJ

back-to-top-scroll