Boundary matters

This section deals with the main issues arising from boundary disputes. It considers how boundaries are defined and how they can be identified; explains the role of plans in both conveyances and at the Land Registry; and gives detailed practical advice on measuring boundaries, drafting an expert's report and appearing in court. It also provides a point of reference for definitions of terms used in deeds, the principles of adverse possession and proprietary estoppel, and the methods of resolving boundary disputes. The causes of a dispute often involve one or more of the following: hedges, party walls, boundary lines, planning permission or a change in ownership.

This section is maintained by Nicholas Isaac QC of Tanfield Chambers and Julia Stolle of Stolle Surveys Ltd.

RICS standard: Boundaries: procedures for boundary identification, demarcation and dispute resolution in England & Wales (4th edition)

RICS standard: Surveyors acting as expert witnesses (4th edition)

Feature: Boundary disputes: unbiased work

For links to further RICS standards and Land Registry practice guides, see Further information.