header-logo header-logo

15 April 2020 / Andrew Francis
Issue: 7883 / Categories: Features , Property
printer mail-detail

Trouble with rights of light

Andrew Francis explains why the recent decision in Beaumont has importance beyond the world of rights of light

  • Reinforces the prima facie rule that the injunction is the starting point where property rights will be, or have been infringed.
  • Even if the loss of light is small and to badly lit offices, the remedy of the injunction is a real risk.

In a time of crisis we do not need more ‘bad news’. But a recent decision of the High Court is not exactly what might be hoped for when developing land, irrespective of problems coming from other quarters. But as Rudyard Kipling said in If, ‘If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs’ the lessons to be drawn from this decision, if learnt, will stand well for the future.

To set the scene, just over six years ago, the Supreme Court handed down the judgments in Lawrence v Fen Tigers [2014] AC 822, [2014] 2 All ER 622. Despite, or possibly because of

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll