Wallace Secures Urgent High Court Order To Prevent Trespassers Holding An Illegal Rave On New Year's Eve
Wallace Secures Urgent High Court Order To Prevent Trespassers Holding An Illegal Rave On New Year's Eve
On the morning of 31 December 2020, Wallace Property Litigation Partner, Meera Patel, obtained an urgent High Court possession order against trespassers who had planned an illegal rave on property within Tier 4 on New Year’s Eve with an anticipated turnout of 3,000 ravers.
The property comprised several disused buildings situated within several hundred acres of land. In addition to causing significant damage to the property, large groups of trespassers were frequenting the local village to purchase food and drinks and in so doing were endangering and subjecting the local community to and from the spread of Covid-19 and anti-social behavior.
The matter required immediate determination given the substantial risk of serious harm to the public and property. Wallace acted swiftly on 30 December 2020 to secure permission to commence trespasser proceedings in the High Court and expedite the time limit for service of the proceedings on the trespassers to enable the claim to be determined by the High Court on the morning of 31 December 2020. In anticipation of obtaining the possession order, Wallace mobilised an experienced team of High Court enforcement officers and dog units to attend the site in readiness to serve and immediately enforce the possession order using appropriate social distancing measures and to prevent re-entry to the property.
Meera commented: ‘Save in exceptional circumstances, trespasser claims are required to be brought in the County Court where it can take several days to obtain and enforce possession orders against trespassers. Given the significant risk to the public from a potential super spreader event like a rave, Wallace was able to act successfully and decisively within 24 hours of commencing proceedings in the High Court to secure possession of the property, prevent the rave and minimise risk to public health and further damage to the client’s property.’