Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Question
1 Approved Answer
Mary is the owner of a large piece of farmland in the countryside near Sussex. Mary inherited the property from her father in 2015 when
- Mary is the owner of a large piece of farmland in the countryside near Sussex. Mary inherited the property from her father in 2015 when Mary's father died suddenly. She returned home from living abroad. She was not familiar with the farm as it had been purchased after she moved away from the area. Mary has recently been approached by a national supermarket chain who are interested in purchasing some of her land on which to build a new store. During the negotiations, the supermarket chain has asked Mary about two particular areas: these are referred to as "the Meadow" and "the West field". After investigating the title of the property, the chain believes that these two areas are not part of the farm property. The Meadow is a large open piece of land on the edge of the farmland owned by Mary. In 2015 Mary was assured by Ian, the family solicitor, that the Meadow was part of the farmland.
- According to Ian, who was a friend of her father's, "Your dad kept three horses in that Meadow for as long as I have known him". Since 2015, Mary has used the land to race quad bikes and once a year to host a small music festival. Mary has spoken to her mother, who now lives in a care home. Her mother has told her that "your father used to pick me the most beautiful sunflowers from the Westfield". Apparently, the field was otherwise undisturbed, but in 2011 Mary's father began to use part of the field to store tractor parts. In 2014, after reports of trespassers, he enclosed the field with a wooden fence and placed "keep out" signs around the field. At this point, he began to use the field to grow crops. Mary has continued to use the field for growing crops. It has been discovered that the Meadow was registered in 2004 as belonging to Lord Boyd. The West field is unregistered but Lola, Mary's neighbor, has found an old title deed to the property. Lola tells Mary that "I told your dad to stop using that field back in 2015".
- Advise Mary as to any claim(s) in adverse possession she may have over the "Meadow" and the "West field."
Step by Step Solution
There are 3 Steps involved in it
Step: 1
Adverse possession is a legal doctrine that allows a person to acquire ownership of land belonging to someone else if certain conditions are met In th...Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions
See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success
Step: 2
Step: 3
Ace Your Homework with AI
Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance
Get Started