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Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
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01 overview
Trespassing is more than just an inconvenience. Whether it’s an unwelcome neighbour, an intruder, or someone misusing your property, trespassing disrupts your peace, security, and rights.
In the UK, trespassing can take many forms—from someone entering your property without permission to more complicated situations like squatters or boundary disputes.
Each trespassing incident is unique, but they all share one thing in common: they can leave you feeling unsafe and stressed. Trespassers not only invade your personal or business space but can also cause serious damage, leading to expensive repairs and even a drop in your property’s value.
If you’re dealing with a trespassing problem, our network of expert property lawyers is here to help. We offer straightforward, actionable advice tailored to your specific situation, so you know exactly what steps to take.
Contact Lawhive today for a free case evaluation from our Legal Assessment Specialists. You’ll get a no-obligation quote for the services of a specialist trespassing lawyer, and start taking steps to reclaim your space.
Trespassing is when someone enters or stays on land or property without permission. It includes:
Trespassing can take many forms, from a neighbour who routinely crosses your garden to intruders who refuse to leave your business premises. In the UK, it’s a civil matter rather than a criminal offense, except in certain serious cases.
In the UK, trespassing can take several forms, each with unique challenges.
Basic trespassing happens when someone enters your property without your consent. This can be as simple as a person walking onto your lawn, entering your garden, or stepping into your business premises without permission.
Squatting occurs when someone moves into a building or land intending to stay there without the owner's permission.
This type of trespassing is more serious because squatters occupy your space as if it were their own home. In some situations, particularly if they refuse to leave, squatting can lead to criminal charges.
Aggravated trespassing occurs when a person not only trespasses but also disrupts, obstructs, or intimidates lawful activities taking place on the property.
For example, if someone trespasses to protest against or interfere with a lawful activity, like a business operation or a hunt, this would be considered aggravated trespassing. This type of trespassing is a criminal offense and can result in arrest and prosecution.
Boundary disputes arise when there’s a disagreement over where your property ends and your neighbour’s property begins. This kind of trespassing happens when someone builds a fence, plants trees, or uses land that you believe belongs to you.
These disputes can be tricky, often requiring detailed surveys and legal assessments to resolve who owns the disputed land.
Sometimes, trespassing involves arguments over the right to use certain parts of a property, like a shared driveway, footpath, or access to utilities like water supplies.
This type of trespassing is common in both residential and rural settings, where rights of way and shared resources are involved.
There are specific sites, such as railways, military bases, and some government buildings, where trespassing is considered a criminal offense.
Entering these areas without authorisation is illegal and can lead to immediate arrest and criminal charges. The seriousness of the offense depends on the nature of the site and the potential risk posed by the trespasser.
In the UK, trespassing is typically handled as a civil matter rather than a criminal one.
If someone enters or remains on your property without permission and without intending to commit a crime, it falls under civil law. In such cases, you, as the property owner, have the right to ask the trespasser to leave. If they refuse, you can pursue legal action through civil courts to seek an injunction or claim damages.
However, trespassing becomes illegal when a trespasser has the intent to commit a crime, cause disruption or intimidation, or enter restricted or protected areas.
As a property owner in the UK, you have the right to protect your property from unlawful entry or use. If someone trespasses on your land or building without permission, you can:
If someone enters your property without permission but does not intend to commit a crime or cause significant disruption, the matter is typically not something the police will handle. Instead, you can ask the trespasser to leave and, if they refuse, take legal action.
In some situations, the police may attend these kinds of situations to make sure there is no breach of the peace, but they won’t arrest the individual just for trespassing unless the situation escalates.
Police, however, can arrest individuals for aggravated trespassing or trespassing on restricted or protected sites.
If someone trespasses on your property and you feel safe doing so, you should politely but firmly request they leave. Explain that they are on private property and do not have permission to be there.
However, if a trespasser is threatening or there is an immediate risk to your safety, you should call the police.
If a trespasser persists in their actions after being told to leave, you may consider taking civil action. In the first instance, speak with a property lawyer to understand your rights and the best course of action for your situation. This may involve sending a formal warning letter telling them to stop or, if the trespassing continues, applying to the court for an injunction.
It’s natural to want to take immediate action against trespassers, but it’s important to know the legal boundaries and potential risks involved in removing a trespasser yourself.
As a property owner, you have the right to ask a trespasser to leave and UK law does allow you to use reasonable force to remove a trespasser if they refuse to leave after being asked. However, any use of force must be proportional to the threat posed by the trespasser.
This means if you use excessive force or injure the trespasser while trying to remove them, you could be liable for assault or battery, which could lead to criminal charges or civil action against you. What’s more, confronting a trespasser can be dangerous, especially if they are aggressive or potentially armed.
With that in mind, it’s far safer to contact the police if a trespasser refuses to leave rather than trying to remove them yourself.
Businesses have the right to take legal action against trespassers in the same way as residential property owners. For example, businesses can apply to the court for an injunction or sue for damages if trespassing results in damage to the business property or loss of income.
In cases involving criminal elements, like squatting or aggressive protestors disrupting business operations, the police can be called to intervene.
To prove trespassing you must be able to show that someone has entered or used your property without your permission.
You can do this by keeping a record of each trespassing incident and gathering physical evidence, like photos or videos of the trespasser while they are on your property or any damage caused by them.
A solicitor specialising in property law can help you understand your rights as a property owner and the legal options available to you. They will assess the details of your case, including the nature and extent of the trespassing and any damages caused.
They can communicate directly with the trespasser or their legal representative and negotiate on your behalf to reach a settlement, whether it involves the trespasser agreeing to stop or compensating you for any damages.
If trespassing can’t be resolved through negotiation, a solicitor can help you file the necessary paperwork to apply for an injunction or sue for damages. If needed, your solicitor can also represent you in court.
For most civil trespassing claims, you have up to six years from the date of the trespassing incident to file a lawsuit. This period applies to claims for injunctions or damages resulting from the trespassing.
If the trespassing is ongoing, the six-year limitation period typically begins when the trespass first started. However, each instance of trespassing within this period can potentially be treated as a new trespass.
For straightforward cases, like a neighbour repeatedly crossing your garden, resolutions can often be reached quickly through direct communication or a warning letter. However, more complicated issues, like boundary disputes or cases involving significant property damages, may take longer to sort out.
Timelines can also depend on the type of legal remedy sought. For example, applying for an injunction to prevent further trespassing can be a quicker process than seeking compensation for damages, especially if the trespasser disputes the claim or the extent of the damages.
If you had permission from the property owner or a person with authority to be on the property, this can be a strong defence. Permission can be given explicitly (written or verbal agreement) or implied (previous conduct suggesting consent).
You may argue that you were using a public right of way that passes through the property, or you might have a legal right to use part of the property, such as a driveway or pathway, even if it’s technically on someone else’s land.
If you entered the property to prevent serious harm to yourself or others, to avoid immediate danger, or to seek help during an emergency, this can be a valid defence.
If you accidentally crossed onto someone’s property due to unclear or poorly marked boundaries, you can argue that the trespass was unintentional.
Dealing with trespassing can be stressful and disruptive. At Lawhive, we offer comprehensive legal services tailored to help you protect your property and resolve trespassing disputes quickly.
Our network of expert trespassing lawyers can provide you with practical advice regarding trespassing and guide you through the process of resolving disputes, such as negotiating with neighbours or addressing boundary disputes.
If legal action becomes necessary, your lawyer can also represent you in civil court to seek injunctions or compensation for damages caused by trespassing.
To get started, schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with our Legal Assessment Specialist.
They will assess your case, help you understand the legal options available to you, and recommend the best course of action, along with a fixed-fee quote for the services of a specialist lawyer. I
With straightforward pricing - so you know exactly what to expect at every step.
