AG Enforce: An effective approach to the removal of trespassers on commercial land

We acted on a complex and urgent matter when rival groups of political protestors occupied substantial sites either side of one of Manchester’s busiest roads sheltering under a motorway viaduct.

Representing the different owners of the two sites we acted in conjunction with Manchester City Council to secure a number of possession orders (and to defeat the attempted appeal of those orders) and to avoid further trespass in the face of considerable provocation, intimidation and risk of serious disruption to local businesses and amenities.

The matter was particularly newsworthy because of the city-wide injunction initially obtained by the Council to prevent any subsequent trespass on other high profile or vulnerable sites throughout the city.

Here, a group of 40 caravans arrived at a development site and refused to leave without a Court Order. We drafted proceedings to obtain a possession order over the entire development site, not just the part currently occupied by the travellers.

This tactic proved to be invaluable as the group have returned 3 times, to other parts of the site, enabling us to restore the High Court Writ of Possession and enforce it promptly before significant clean-up costs were incurred. We also advised on enhanced security and prevention measures.

A group of political activists occupied a large and iconic building in the centre of Manchester. The issues created by this occupation concerned how the occupiers would be evicted. As veterans of fracking and other environmental protests, the occupiers were highly organised and well versed in the art of thwarting attempts at eviction. 

We worked closely with the specialist arm of the leading firm of High Court Enforcement Agents to execute a very carefully planned eviction early on a Sunday morning (which required the consent of the Court). The eviction was carried out peacefully with the protestors being caught unaware. The building was then secured to avoid the inevitable attempt to reoccupy.