What to Do When Neighbour Fights Escalate

North Ford Solicitors • 6 July 2021

It’s pretty common to have petty disputes with your neighbours from time to time. After all, whenever people are living in close proximity, issues will inevitably arise. Hopefully, you’ll be able to resolve things quickly, but in the case that it escalates, here’s what you need to do.

Start with a Request

If you have an issue with your neighbour, it’s best to make a friendly request face to face. Even if you know it won’t go well, you should attempt this method first. Then you can at least say you tried, even if you need to take things to the next step, it’s always good to try being friendly first.

Submit Your Request in Writing

If the neighbours don’t heed your first request, the second should be in writing. This can and should be copied for your own files, along with the actual date that you gave it to the neighbour. You have now started a paper trail of the issue and this will need to continue.

Track Everything

If things begin to go poorly, you will want to have a record of this. It’s important to track and keep copies of everything. You may save emails, letters, notes and any threats you receive. If the neighbour has called and left messages, don’t delete them no matter how tempting it is. Instead, save them as evidence of the problem.

You should also keep track of everything you do. Be careful, as the evidence can cause issues for your side too, if you are retaliating. It’s best to remain calm and let them know that you are following the situation.

Try Mediation

In this case, you’ll need the cooperation of the neighbours, but seeking a neighbour conciliation and mediation service may help you come to a decision that works for both sides. However, if both sides are very aggressive, mediation is not likely to work.

Get Legal

A solicitor with experience in handling neighbourhood disputes will be able to advise you on what to do and how to resolve the situation. If you do need to go the legal route, be aware that it may require going to court in order to finish the whole thing once and for all. Once you have a lawyer involved, things tend to get quite inflamed and if you already have tense relationships with the neighbours, be cautious about taking this step.

Are you dealing with a difficult neighbour? Contact North Ford Solicitors today for more information on how to deal with problematic neighbours.

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Kings Bench Division Grants Injunctive Relief to Applicant in Libel Claim

by North Ford Solicitors • 15 April 2025

North Ford Solicitors successfully represented a Claimant in a High Court libel claim for damages of over £100,000. The case, heard in the Kings Bench Division, resulted in a significant victory for the Claimant, who was awarded a default judgment, injunctive relief, and costs. The Claimant was represented by Salmaan Islam and Alexander Braidwood of North Ford Solicitors, with Dr. Liam Wells from Fraser Chambers acting as Counsel. The background of the case involves defamatory statements made by the Defendant on a Facebook group, alleging that the Claimant had bugged her phone and tracked her location without consent. These allegations were vehemently denied by the Claimant, who maintained that the posts were untrue and had caused serious harm to the Claimant’s reputation. Despite being served with the Claim Form, the Defendant failed to acknowledge service or file a defence, prompting the Claimant to seek summary judgment. In the submissions, the Claimant argued that the Defendant had no real prospect of success in defending the claim and that the defamatory posts had caused significant reputational damage. The court was urged to grant summary judgment to further the overriding objective of the Civil Procedure Rules, which aims to deal with cases justly and efficiently. The court agreed, noting that the Defendant's non-engagement justified proceeding in the Defendant’s absence. The court's decision included granting an injunction requiring Meta to remove the defamatory posts from Facebook and restraining the Defendant from making further defamatory publications. Additionally, the court awarded the costs of the application hearing to the Claimant. The quantum of damages is to be assessed at a future hearing, ensuring that the Claimant receives appropriate compensation for the harm caused by the defamatory statements. This case underscores the importance of addressing defamatory statements swiftly and effectively, particularly in the digital age where such statements can spread rapidly and cause significant harm. North Ford Solicitors remains committed to protecting the reputations of our clients and ensuring that justice is served in cases of defamation. If you feel that you have been the victim of defamation of character, contact North Ford Solicitors for more information on how to proceed with your case.