header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
01 October 2021 / Edward Peters KC , Julia Petrenko
Issue: 7950 / Categories: Features , Property
printer mail-detail

Troubled waters? The classification of items on land

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
59351
Edward Peters & Julia Petrenko discuss a legal tussle over a boathouse which serves as a useful reminder of the classification of items on land
  • Covers Royal Parks Ltd v Bluebird Boat, a recent case about ownership of the Boathouse on the Serpentine in Hyde Park.

Property practitioners will no doubt be familiar with the classification of objects brought onto land as falling within one of three categories: chattel; fixture; or part and parcel of the land. Many practitioners may also be familiar with the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, where visitors can hire a pedalo or rowing boat. Royal Parks Ltd v Bluebird Boat [2021] EWHC 2278 (TCC), [2021] All ER (D) 38 (Aug) concerned a dispute as to the ownership of the boathouse and jetties (‘the Boathouse’) on the Serpentine. Following an expedited trial, O’Farrell J held, by reason of the extent of annexation of the building to the land, and the purpose of its design and construction as a permanent enhancement

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

Read All
Hugh James—Jonathan Askin

Hugh James—Jonathan Askin

London corporate and commercial team announces partner appointment

Michelman Robinson—Daniel Burbeary

Michelman Robinson—Daniel Burbeary

Firm names partner as London office managing partner

Kingsley Napley—Jonathan Grimes

Kingsley Napley—Jonathan Grimes

Firm appoints new head of criminal litigation team

NEWS
Read All
APIL sees off ‘substantial prejudice’ defence
Personal injury lawyers have welcomed a government U-turn on a ‘substantial prejudice’ defence that risked enabling defendants in child sexual abuse civil cases to have proceedings against them dropped
‘Lost years’ precedent overturned
Children can claim for ‘lost years’ damages in personal injury cases, the Supreme Court has held in a landmark judgment
NLJ this week: Neutral counsel in a polarised age
The cab-rank rule remains a bulwark of the rule of law, yet lawyers are increasingly judged by their clients’ causes. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian McDougall, president of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, warns that conflating representation with endorsement is a ‘clear and present danger’
NLJ this week: Short lets & sharp covenants
Holiday lets may promise easy returns, but restrictive covenants can swiftly scupper plans. Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Francis of Serle Court recounts how covenants limiting use to a ‘private dwelling house’ or ‘private residence’ have repeatedly defeated short-term letting schemes
NLJ this week: Justice at the algorithm’s edge
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already embedded in the civil courts, but regulation lags behind practice. Writing in NLJ this week, Ben Roe of Baker McKenzie charts a landscape where AI assists with transcription, case management and document handling, yet raises acute concerns over evidence, advocacy and even judgment-writing
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll