Boundary solicitor required

[rfisher]

Anyone recommend a solicitor who specialises in boundary issues.

I'd like to head off an escalating misbehaving neighbour.

No details will be forthcoming at present, but all will be revealed when I have put this one to bed .

West Yorks. if site visit is required.

[Rude-boy]

Sorry but i don't know anyone there who could help.

What i can tell you is that if there is any way to sort this out without 'speaking via solicitors' then for Christ's sake do it.

'World of Pain'

and

'Bottomless money pit' are two things that are almost always true with these if you can't come to an amicable solution.

Also look at your Home Insurance to see if you have legal cover and then if you do check if this is covered...

[rfisher]

Thanks.

I'm aware of the difficulties and expense, however the issue of determining precisely where the boundary lies is supremely simple and I feel it is therefore worth pursuing.

One appropriately severe solicitor's letter should suffice.

Must be someone on PH who does this sort of thing for a living?

Payment for services rendered will, of course, be made.

If they keep pissing me off I may claim that back from them as well.

[Red Devil]

Rude-boy said:

'World of Pain'

and

'Bottomless money pit' are two things that are almost always true with these if you can't come to an amicable solution.

^^This^^

http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Boundary-dispute...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2124103/Mo...

The only winners are the solicitors on each side. They get paid come what may.

[surveyor]

rfisher said:

, however the issue of determining precisely where the boundary lies is supremely simple and I feel it is therefore worth pursuing.

Exactly how they all start.

[numtumfutunch]

I had issues with a retaining wall over a decent length of boundary with a reasonable neighbour

The repair ran to just under 5 figures when we settled

The wall supported his property which had been built up 5 feet or so against it so steep is the hill we live on
The wall was arguably mine but not at all well defined by deeds

I thought it was cut and dried as the wall predated his house being built and clearly supported his plot
As it crumbled his house was showing signs of minor subsidence

I spoke to the legal team of my house insurer as well as a property lawyer "down the pub"
They both suggested it was going to be endless misery for anything other than a 50:50 and my lawyer friend said the only guaranteed winner would be the lawyers

Good luck

[ATG]

It will make many things in life easier if you establish a relationship with a local firm of solicitors. Go on recommendation from any local contacts you have. At some stage you'll almost certainly have to deal with conveyancing and probate, and if you're unlucky with matrimonial or criminal matters. As a crisis unfolds it is very reassuring to have a number to dial and someone to speak to who you already know who can give you professional advice or recommend who you should speak to. Any minor crisis is a great opportunity to establish such a relationship.

[surveyor]

ATG said:

It will make many things in life easier if you establish a relationship with a local firm of solicitors. Go on recommendation from any local contacts you have. At some stage you'll almost certainly have to deal with conveyancing and probate, and if you're unlucky with matrimonial or criminal matters. As a crisis unfolds it is very reassuring to have a number to dial and someone to speak to who you already know who can give you professional advice or recommend who you should speak to. Any minor crisis is a great opportunity to establish such a relationship.

However do be aware that it will be annoying when you realise you paid for his new Range Rover... Best keep some distance on this one!

[catfood12]

Boundary disputes that involve lawyers are the most expensive way to buy land. The same message that the other posters have relayed. Good luck anyway OP. Keep us in the picture.

[Billsnemesis]

As a property solicitor I can tell you that boundary disputes are like divorce but with all of the fun, laughter, jokes and bonhomie squeezed out.

My advice would be to run very fast in the opposite direction.

[konark]

My solicitor told me there's only one winner in boundary disputes,.............. and that I was looking at him.

[Red Devil]

surveyor said:

rfisher said:

, however the issue of determining precisely where the boundary lies is supremely simple and I feel it is therefore worth pursuing.

Exactly how they all start.

The other party may not concur with the 'supremely simple' opinion of the OP. And that's the point at which it all starts to go south.
This explains why the vast majority of people remain ignorant of why 'supremely simple' is anything but - http://www.boundary-problems.co.uk/boundary-proble...

[johnfm]

Martin McKeague at Walker Morris.

As said above, these things can get pricey - but Martin is not a piss taker.

[Rude-boy]

Just to clarify the above for you OP.

That's at least 2 property solicitors, at least one other solicitor of unremembered area of practice, a surveyor and a number of 'been there, done that' posters who all say sort it as amicably as absolutely possible or just walk away...

FWIW I know very few people who react positively to a solicitors letter, even more so when it is telling them something that they do not wish to hear. It can have the opposite effect (regardless of how finely crafted it is) and make the uncertain entrench and the entrenched even more certain of their cause.

[rfisher]

johnfm said:

Martin McKeague at Walker Morris.

As said above, these things can get pricey - but Martin is not a piss taker.

Thank you.

All advice from previous posters is also gratefully received.

Clearly diplomacy is the best way forward here, but if I have to defend my property then I will.

[Mopey]

Why not be completely counter what everyone else says and blow him away by being generous? Seriously if he has taken a foot of your land, let him have it- is it worth the pain, hassle and problems?

I accept I will be in a minority with this viewpoint, but there you go.

[Red Devil]

rfisher said:

Clearly diplomacy is the best way forward here, but if I have to defend my property then I will.

Obviously we don't know the specifics but it's the second bit of the above which rings alarm bells. Instead of ruthless pragmatism I detect an emotional response. The moment that enters the picture and detached perspective is lost is when it can all go pear shaped.

[rfisher]

Update - I may need to prepare to go up a notch with this.

If it goes legal can I represent myself without employing the services of a solicitor?

If I win the case do I get my costs back, or just get a legally defined boundary?

How do you 'take someone to court'?

Is there an online way of doing this?

Just looking for facts at this point, thanks.

[slow_poke]

rfisher said:

Update - I may need to prepare to go up a notch with this.

If it goes legal can I represent myself without employing the services of a solicitor?

If I win the case do I get my costs back, or just get a legally defined boundary?

How do you 'take someone to court'?

Is there an online way of doing this?

Just looking for facts at this point, thanks.

Then you need to share the details and facts with us first. Otherwise all you're getting is piss in the wind.

Apart from all the previous good advice to settle amicably or walk away.

[010101]

The very first thing that I would do is inspect the documents relating to your property.
If the title has been transfered recently then there will be a digital title register and plan at the land registry.
Some solicitors are very glib and don't examine any evidence before reaching sweeping conclusions.
Other solicitors see more than just an invoice.
I have not met every lawyer in the world so my opinion is incomplete.