English law has finally caught up with Scottish Law, where it has been illegal to squat since 1865. As of 1st September 2012, residential squatting is punishable by the Crown through the criminal justice system. The new rule has been introduced via the statutory instrument formally enacting section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. … Read More
Government wants clampdown on illegal encampments
One of the problems that council face is that people are setting up unauthorised encampments at weekends, or bank holiday periods illegally while council offices are closed. Because it is often not possible to take enforcement act at weekends or bank holidays. This then means that no enforcement action is taken to prevent the cutting down of protected trees or … Read More