Encroachment concerns when a neighbour’s structure or activities unlawfully intrude onto your land, such as buildings, fences, or concreting that cross onto your boundary. In England, a solicitor handling encroachment cases helps you identify whether a legal right to prevent the intrusion exists and, if so, who bears liability. They will typically gather title deeds, surveyor plans, and historical boundary records, review notices or notices to quit, and consider possible injunctions or claims for misfeasance. They advise on viable remedies and the steps to protect your property rights in the courts or via alternative dispute resolution.
What a solicitor handles in these matters
Encroachment involves specific boundary rights, adverse possession considerations, and nuisance standards. A solicitor will manage evidence collection (title documents, land plans, boundary surveys), assess the strength of your boundary claims, prepare pleadings and applications for injunctions where appropriate, negotiate settlements, and coordinate with surveyors or other experts. The process can involve adversarial proceedings in county or High Court depending on scale, with potential interlocutory steps to restrain further intrusion.