Personal Dispute Resolution

The government has extended the ban on evicting commercial tenants until 30th June 2021. Natalie Tatton Solicitor in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. The move is designed to help those worst affected by the pandemic, such as bars and restaurants, get back to business when doors fully reopen for hospitality no earlier than 17th May. Residential tenants will also be supported as the ban on bailiff-enforced evictions in…

The Court of Appeal has ruled that a travel agency was wrong to take client contact information disclosed by its competitor’s former employees and add it to its own computer database. Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution reports. The issue arose after the agency, Trailfinders, hired some employees from a rival agency, Travel Counsellors Ltd (TCL). Trailfinders expected new employees to bring their own customers and encouraged them…

A commercial tenant has been refused permission to re-amend its defence to a service charge claim four weeks before trial. Stephanie Johnson Associate Solicitor reports. The court ruled that although the new defences had reasonable prospects of success, they could have been pleaded earlier and there was no good reason for the delay. The issue arose because the tenant refused to pay certain elements of the service charge relating to the…

Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution provides an update. Since last May, we’ve been following the proceedings launched by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to add some clarity to the availability of “Business Interruption” (BI) insurance as a result of business closures as a result of the pandemic.  Last September the High Court came to its conclusions, and as the national press has now reported the Supreme Court…

Personal Dispute: Can a neighbour enter onto my land without my permission? If a neighbour enters your land without your permission then they will be committing the offence of trespass which is a civil wrong (it is rarely a criminal matter) – however if this is a minor trespass and no damage is caused it is unlikely to be necessary to revert to your legal rights.

Personal Dispute: Can the neighbour block my access? This will depend upon the facts of the case and a thorough review of your title deeds will be required before being in a position to advise. Once, if the neighbour does block your access then we can advise you on possibly obtaining an injunction but this will depend on the facts of the case. It may be necessary to act promptly,…

What can I do to prevent the neighbour carrying out works on the boundary line? / Can I work on the boundary line? There is a law known as the “Party Wall Act” which sets out a procedure for carrying out certain works at or near to a boundary. A surveyor can advise you if the Act is likely to apply – if so, it is important to comply with…

Personal Dispute: What is Professional Negligence? You may consider that you received bad advice or that you did not achieve what you set out to achieve. Professionals are duty bound to provide their services to a required standard. If you instructed a professional and they failed to fulfil their role to that required standard you may be able to bring a claim against them if you suffered a loss as…

Personal Dispute: What professionals can I make a claim against? A professional is a person who is considered to have particular expertise and skills in the services they provide.Examples of professionals you may be able to make a claim against include:- Accountants- Financial advisors- Solicitors- Barristers- Surveyors- Builders- Engineers- Architects- Insurance brokers- Professional trustees

Personal Dispute: How long do I have to make a Professional Negligence Claim? The usual limitation period and starting point in most professional negligence cases is six years from the date of the negligence.However, if you only became aware of the loss and damage at a later date this could be extended. In those cases the limitation period is three years from the date of knowledge of the facts which…