Signed, sealed – and worthless
Tuesday 26th October 2010, 6:36AM BST.
Whenever a planning row erupts in England, you can bet your life that one side will be waving Ye Olde Statute signed by Henry II, or some other ancient contract, to support their claim.
We Brits have enormous faith in old documents, especially if they are written on vellum and have a big red seal.
And yet time after time, tribunals and judges rule that such agreements are worthless.
It happened this week when a couple in West Sussex discovered that a 1957 covenant which seemingly protected their sea view was no longer enforceable.
They were landed with a £60,000 bill for court costs.
It seems the only view to which they are legally entitled is a very dim view of British justice.
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Dear Peter
A Swiftie my husband just thought of.
“The farmers are muck spreading again” he said distinctly.
Great column.
Not done this before hope it reaches you.
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