Problems with Neighbours

Many people who have problems with their neighbours are often reluctant to get a solicitor involved. They may feel out of their depth, and they may worry about the costs involved.

But even in a friendly town like Bury St Edmunds, neighbourly disputes can still happen.

And sometimes, seeking legal advice by appointing a litigation layer or solicitor is the only way forwards. This may happen if you’ve tried reasoning with your neighbour but get ignored or abused, or if you’ve tried mediation and that hasn’t worked either.

Don’t worry about going to see a solicitor – they are usually friendly and concerned for you and your case...and will probably have dealt with similar cases before. If you know nothing about the law, ask them to explain it to you in simple terms.

Once you’ve explained your problem, they will tell you your legal position and also if they can help you – if they don’t specialise in your area (boundary disputes, for example), they will be able to recommend a Bury St Edmunds solicitors firm who does. They’ll also outline the options open to you, and explain the implications of each option.

A good solicitor will work on your behalf – writing letters, making phone calls, negotiating, and preparing court applications and other legal documents. They or someone in their Suffolk solicitors’ firm will, of course, represent you in court.

It may not need to go as far as court – sometimes just one or two letters threatening action will be enough to settle a problem. This means you have less stress, and won’t need to pay much for the services you’ve received. Your solicitor will tell you if they believe it’s worth taking that gamble, so make sure you give him or her all the facts, even if you are embarrassed!

If you worry you can’t pay for any of this because you have a very low income and/or are receiving certain types of state benefits, enquire whether you are entitled to legal aid. If you are, some or all of your costs will be covered.