section 25 LTA 1985 - reported case

[siva]

I've just been going through my old bookmarks which are in a total mess and have come across an old article which I thought I'd lost.

This may come in useful to people who are contemplating bringing their own case in the magistrates court. This case was a long time ago but not only did the LL's get a fine but the tenants were awarded £7000 in costs, so using a solicitor, or even the one these tenants used, could make legal action a lot easier for those put off by bringing a criminal case themselves.

Here's the link - http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...k-1148129.html

[leaseholdanswers]

While the LA can prosecute, will they?

These days as Churchill says " Oh no".

Some do some dont.

[siva]

While the LA can prosecute, will they?

These days as Churchill says " Oh no".

Some do some dont.

I was presuming that it wasn't the LA that prosecuted. The article says that somebody called 'Peter Clark' represented the tenant and I had presumed that he worked for one of the solicitor companies mentioned in the article but could be wrong.

I think £7000 in costs is a lot for a LIP (or it could be a punitive costs award if the magistrates do that sort of thing (I wouldn't have thought so though).

I've always shied away from going to the Magistrates Court with a private prosecution because I fully expected it to be a case of the blind leading the blind. A LIP in a criminal environment dealing with a Magistrate who has most likely never seen such a case before. I had forgotten about this case and now that I see the award of £7000 in costs I think the trick might be to get a lawyer to act for you. I imagine bringing a prosecution would be something not many lawyers have experience of either but they could probably do a better job of it than a LIP.

[leaseholdanswers]

It was a private prosecution- the point I was making is that LA's can but likely won't.

In the case of insurance and summaries its relatively simple you either do or don't ( barring say a messed up certificate which bearing in mind ICAEW views its possible) If a Landlord simply hasn't, then the M has little choice, and the Clerk or Lay advisor ( so I am told they are now called) can point them to the relevant legislation.

having been on the receiving end when of course it should be the freeholder/client from a vitriolic and clearly word blind leaseholder who couldn't understand that the difference between one month and 6 months of the years end, despite the certificate being produced in 6 weeks after the year end. It was easily disposed of and I got costs. If you are claiming that the certificate was produced but insufficient or deficient yes use a solicitor. s a criminal solicitor he will need counsel to explain to him

http://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/pro...inal/rulesmenu

[andydd]

Interesting,still I doubt whether any LH still really want the hassle of a private prosecution but they could refer to this case, I wonder how many there have been in the 5 years since ?

Andy

[leaseholdanswers]

Interesting,still I doubt whether any LH still really want the hassle of a private prosecution but they could refer to this case, I wonder how many there have been in the 5 years since ?

Andy

It's now 2013 Andy.

You might try that on with the taxman ....LOL

[siva]

It only seems like yesterday!

I once got told by LEASE-ADVICE that there had not been 1 prosecution in regard to failure by the LL in regard to RFR. I always doubted that he (the adviser) would have the means of knowing such a thing.

[leaseholdanswers]

One reason is that its a fee earner for most landlords and agents if asked. I cant remember the last time I saw a paper policy unless asked for.

I remember agreeing an NU portfolio and asking for documents as leaseholders will ask. They offered free boxes of them, and when I asked for 500 to round it up it cost some silly amount of £40 or £50 on the whole portfolio. They felt that it denuded their image if photocopies were sent out, so we charged a fee any way, and could justify as NU did charge....

[andydd]

I'm in a time warp..my clothes prove it , I meant 15 years.

Andy