Lovering and another (Respondents) v Atkinson and others (Appellants) (Guernsey)
Case ID: JCPC 2018/0100
Jurisdiction: The Court of Appeal of Guernsey
Case summary
Issue(s)
On a correct construction, was there a defect in the Respondents’ title to a residential property so as to make the Appellant liable to the Respondent?
Facts
The Appellants were the Respondents’ legal advisors and conveyancers when the Respondents were purchasing a property ("La Roche Douvre") in early 2009. The Respondents purchased La Roche Douvre from Mrs Harrison ("the 2009 Conveyance"). In 1984 Mrs Harrison had conveyed part of La Roche Douvre’s land to a neighbouring third party ("the 1984 Conveyance"). The question on appeal is whether, on a correct construction, the 1984 Conveyance included part of La Roche Douvre’s driveway. If so, that would mean that the Respondents did not have legal title over the full driveway leading to La Roche Douvre. Arguably this renders the 2009 Conveyance subject to a defect, for which the Appellant may be liable.
Parties
Appellant(s)
- Peter John Granville Atkinson
- Mark Gerard Ferbrache
- Paul Richardson
Respondent(s)
- Richard Anthony Baker Lovering
- Christine Anne Lovering
Appeal
Justices
Lord Hodge, Lord Briggs, Lady Arden, Lord Kitchin, Lord Sales
Hearing start date
31 Mar 2020
Hearing finish date
31 Mar 2020
| Watch hearing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 2020 | Morning session | Afternoon session |
Judgment details
Judgment date
18 May 2020 (not delivered in court)
Neutral citation number
[2020] UKPC 14