City of London wins court bid to evict Occupy LSX protestors

The corporation filed High Court proceedings against the protestors in November, 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.

The group, which is campaigning against corporate greed, has been occupying the site since 15 October 2011 (15 November 2011).

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

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

It is understood that the COLC is seeking an additional possession order to prevent the group from shifting to the nearby area.

Commenting on today’s judgment, Kingsley Napley partner Caroline DeLaney said: “The removal of protesters has become costly, time-consuming and complex. The law is currently a patchwork of criminal and civil remedies which are applied inconsistently and reform of this area of law is long overdue.

“Today’s judgment will need to have taken account of the human right to protest balanced against the public right to use the highway. It is highly likely the losing party will appeal. Indeed if other protester situations are anything to go by we can expect this dispute to drag on for some time to come”