Top judges debate property status

A building in one of the UK’s most expensive areas has been the subject of debate for some of the UK’s top legal minds, according to reports. Lord Justices Longmore and Lewison and Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger heard arguments from two barristers and sifted though a range of legal and historical documents while debating whether or not the building, which stands opposite Sloane Square tube station in Chelsea, is a single house or a block of flats.

After assessing the situation, Lord Justice Lewison concluded that the building, which houses three small shops and six residential suites, is to be considered a block of flats rather than a single property. After delivering a five page report on the issue, Lord Justice Lewison asserted that the only reason such high authority had been needed to such an extent was to settle a dispute over the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 between tenants and the building’s owner. Commenting on the report, Lord Justice Lewison said: “It is regrettable that an issue of this kind involves analysis of many decisions of (the Court of Appeal) and the House of Lords, and in the present case has also involved extensive historical investigaton.”

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