Disputes between neighbours have grown during the lockdown and can arise from many sources. Typical disputes concern boundaries, shared facilities, rights of way, trespass, noise and nuisance.
Left unresolved, such disputes can seriously damage your quality of life and even threaten the value of your property. We resolve these disputes, returning harmony to your neighbourhood and safeguarding your property.
Our experienced team have experience of all the usual issues and can help you avoid battling your neighbours in court by finding a more mutually satisfactory outcome through mediation.
If you have any questions about your dispute, contact our team on 020 7971 1119 or click the link below.
Common neighbour disputes
Boundary disputes
Boundary disputes are complex and can be highly emotionally sensitive. Legal complexities can make litigation expensive and it tends to worsen neighbourly relationships.
Land Registry plans are not intended to define boundaries, so cannot resolve these conflicts easily.
Mediation helps the parties find a mutually satisfactory settlement, leaving neighbours with a sustainable outcome and better relationship.
Fence and hedge disputes
Many property boundaries are marked by fences or hedges. Disputes can arise when fences fall into disrepair, boundaries are moved or removed or when hedges block light.
Obligations in this area are complex and, for example, there is no legal obligation to keep a fence.
Mediation has proved successful at resolving such disputes with settlements that work for everyone involved.
Rights of way and Easements
Rights of way are a common source of disputes between neighbours. It is easy to misinterpret the extent of a right of way or how the benefit or burden from it should be dealt with.
Examples include failure to maintain, interference with or excessive use of a right of way.
Mediation can help establish parties' legal rights and can agree settlements that are more beneficial to both parties.
6 reasons to mediate a neighbour dispute
Cost
Mediation is much cheaper than court action and costs are known and fixed at the outset
Control
No-one can have a settlement imposed on them & mediation allows solutions not available to court
Protects relationships
Mediation lets parties cooperate on mutually satisfacory outcomes, improving relationships compared to adversarial litigation
Speed
Mediation is usually resolved in one day, much faster than court proceedings
Less stress
We put our clients at ease and avoid the intimidating formality of court
Convenience
Mediation takes place at a time and place agreed by the parties, or even online