Boundary & Party Wall Mediation
Boundary disputes and party wall disagreements are uniquely personal. The people involved often live next door to each other — and will continue to do so after the dispute is resolved. Litigation poisons that relationship permanently. Mediation preserves it.
Disputes We Mediate
Boundary Line Disputes
Disagreements over the precise location of property boundaries, including interpretation of title plans, ordnance survey data, and historical features.
Party Wall Act Disputes
Disagreements arising under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 — including building owner/adjoining owner disputes, access issues, and damage claims.
Adverse Possession Claims
Claims to ownership of land through long use. Often complex and emotional, involving neighbours who have very different versions of history.
Right of Way Conflicts
Disputes over access rights, easements, and rights of way — whether express, implied, or prescriptive. Often blocking property sales or development.
Fence & Hedge Disputes
Disagreements over responsibility for fences, walls, hedges, and trees — including overhanging branches, root damage, and maintenance obligations.
Drainage & Access
Conflicts over shared drainage, rights to connect to services, access for maintenance, and responsibilities for upkeep of shared infrastructure.
Why Mediate Boundary Disputes?
Boundary disputes are notorious for escalating. What starts as a disagreement over a fence post can end up costing tens of thousands in legal fees — often more than the land itself is worth.
Mediation offers a way out. In a single day, with a mediator who understands property law, title plans, and the practicalities of shared boundaries, most disputes can be resolved with a binding agreement that all participants can live with.
Most boundary mediations settle in a single session
CEDR reports 70% of mediations settle on the day
CEDR reports 87% of mediations settle overall shortly after
Equivalent to £2,500 total vs £20,000+ for litigation
The Mediation Process
Initial Contact
You or your solicitor gets in touch. We confirm the dispute is suitable for mediation and agree a date.
Position Statements
Each participant provides a brief summary of their position. Harvey reviews the title documents and any surveyor reports.
Mediation Day
A structured day of negotiation. Joint sessions and private meetings. Harvey tests assumptions and explores creative solutions.
Settlement Agreement
If terms are reached, the participants or their solicitors draft the binding settlement agreement. Harvey can facilitate the process, and where possible it is signed on the day.
Initial Contact
You or your solicitor gets in touch. We confirm the dispute is suitable for mediation and agree a date.
Position Statements
Each participant provides a brief summary of their position. Harvey reviews the title documents and any surveyor reports.
Mediation Day
A structured day of negotiation. Joint sessions and private meetings. Harvey tests assumptions and explores creative solutions.
Settlement Agreement
If terms are reached, the participants or their solicitors draft the binding settlement agreement. Harvey can facilitate the process, and where possible it is signed on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not a requirement, but we strongly recommend it for boundary disputes. Your solicitor can advise you during the mediation and help ensure any settlement agreement properly protects your interests.
Yes, the vast majority of boundary mediations settle in a single day. Harvey's property law expertise means he can quickly grasp the legal and practical issues, which accelerates the process.
Mediation is voluntary. However, courts increasingly expect people in dispute to attempt mediation before litigation, and an unreasonable refusal can result in costs penalties. We can write to the other participant explaining the process and its benefits.
Yes. The settlement agreement signed at the end of a successful mediation is a legally binding contract.
Neighbour Dispute Getting Out of Hand?
Mediation resolves boundary and party wall disputes in days, not months. Get in touch for a confidential discussion.
Book a Mediation