City of London prepares for Occupy LSX court showdown

The case, The Mayor, Commonalty & Citizens of the City of London v Samede & ors (being persons taking part in a protest camp at St Paul’s Churchyard), will be heard before Mr Justice Lindblom from noon onwards.

The corporation filed High Court proceedings against the protestors a month ago, after the Occupy London Stock Exchange (LSX) group failed to leave the camp. Negotiations between the parties fell through when they could not agree on terms to clear the camp, which the City claims is blocking public highways that it owns.

John Cooper QC of 25 Bedford Row is acting for the protestors, instructed by Karen Todner of Kaim Todner Solicitors.

Landmark Chambers’ David Forsdick is advising the corporation, with the work being led in-house by City solicitor and comptroller Andrew Colvin.

Meanwhile, the protestors will resume their efforts to prevent their eviction from a property on Sun Street owned by Swiss investment bank UBS. The bank was granted a possession order over the building by Mrs Justice Proudman in November, but the order has not yet been enforced.

At 2pm the protestors will appear before Lord Justice Lloyd, renewing their application to appeal and asking for a stay of execution.

Garden Court Chambers’ Stephen Knafler QC, instructed by Bindmans Solicitors, will appear for the occupiers. Landmark Chambers’ Katharine Holland QC is instructed by DLA Piper for Sun Street Properties, a wholly owned subsidiary of UBS. Senior associate Duncan Freeman is leading the work, supported by property litigation head Ian Brierley.