Kevin Leigh, a specialist barrister in land and planning disputes at No5 Chambers, recently helped clients who instructed him directly in connection with an acrimonious and high-value boundary dispute in Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset.
The parties were developing neighbouring plots of land for residential purposes. Leigh became involved after his clients had obtained expert advice from their surveyor and from their architect supporting their case. Leigh assisted his clients in corresponding with the other side in order to identify the issues and explore the merits.
Eventually both sides agreed to mediate and the case settled, thereby allowing Leigh’s clients to develop their plot to its full potential.
Working closely and directly with his clients throughout as well as their experts, a favourable outcome was secured including (and very unusually) apart from recovering costs, substantial donations being given to charities chosen by Leigh’s clients in lieu of damages.
The case is a good example of engaging specialist assistance early on as well as the advantage of mediation to achieve a settlement that a trial could not.
