Couple Wins 8-Foot Lawn Strip Via 17-Year Use in London

A couple in London has legally taken ownership of an 8-foot lawn strip after using it for 17 years. This is a rare win for 'adverse possession' claims.
By Newsroom | Property Law, London |

A pair, Liz Dobson and Andrew Pleming, have successfully claimed an 8-foot strip of lawn bordering their property through a protracted legal entanglement. The couple argued that they, along with previous occupants of their home, had maintained the land for over 17 years without objection from the registered owners. This claim, framed under the legal concept of 'adverse possession,' ultimately persuaded an upper tribunal, overturning an initial ruling that favored their neighbors.

The dispute centered on a triangular section of grass at the end of a shared driveway. Dobson and Pleming, who purchased their £1.3 million home in 2009, admitted that the strip of land was officially part of the adjacent property. However, their success hinges on demonstrating continuous use and upkeep of the land for a significant period, effectively overriding the registered title. This legal maneuver, often colloquially referred to as "squatters' rights," requires proof of open, uninterrupted possession.

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The case began at a first-tier tribunal, where the registered owners initially prevailed. Undeterred, Dobson and Pleming pursued an appeal, ultimately winning their case on grounds of adverse possession. Judge Cooke, presiding over the upper tribunal, noted that "People do not generally mow their neighbours' grass without their agreement," highlighting the unusual nature of the claimants' long-term actions.

The narrative took a turn with the arrival of new neighbors, who reportedly disrupted the claimants' use of the land. Reports indicate the new owners cleared planted herbs and wildflowers, and even introduced a garden gnome, actions that apparently escalated the existing tension. Dobson, described as an expert gardener, and Pleming, a former British Airways executive, had reportedly cultivated the disputed area for their children's enjoyment. The specifics of the prior occupants' tenure and their engagement with the land remain less detailed in the reporting, but the argument for decades of use formed a crucial part of the appeal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Liz Dobson and Andrew Pleming get an 8-foot lawn strip?
Liz Dobson and Andrew Pleming legally won an 8-foot lawn strip by using the 'adverse possession' rule. They showed they had used and cared for the land openly for over 17 years without the owners objecting.
Q: Why did the London court give the couple the lawn strip?
The court agreed with Dobson and Pleming that their continuous use of the land for more than 17 years meant they had a right to it. The judge noted that people usually don't take care of their neighbor's grass without permission.
Q: What was the 'adverse possession' claim in the London lawn dispute?
The couple claimed 'adverse possession' because they used and maintained the 8-foot lawn strip openly for over 17 years. This legal idea allows someone to claim land if they use it continuously and without the owner's permission for a long time.
Q: Did the neighbors try to stop the couple from using the lawn strip?
Yes, the new neighbors reportedly disrupted the couple's use of the land by removing plants and adding garden decorations. This escalation happened after the couple won their appeal based on their long-term use of the property.