The young barrister who represented for free the pensioners in the notorious ‘legal torture’ case at Oakland Court in Worthing is up for an award. Stephanie Smith, a barrister in her twenties, defeated Justin Bates, who was acting for the freehold-owning landlord and is a more senior lawyer in her Arden Chambers. Bates is an […]
‘Legal torture’ Oakland Court residents settle for £68,500 … but two of the original applicants have since died
August 24, 2012 By
Residents at the Oakland Court retirement development in Worthing today accepted a £68,500 settlement of their dispute with their landlord over the notional rent of the house warden’s flat. Sadly, two of the original applicants have died and three have moved to full-time nursing care since the application to the LVT was made in April […]
Leaseholders’ meeting this evening in Worthing (July 25)
July 23, 2012 By
John Fenwick, who won the £137,000 LVT action at Oakland Court in Worthing, and Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation chairman Sebastian O’Kelly are to address an open meeting for leaseholders on July 25. The event takes place at 6.15pm on Wednesday evening at the Chatsworth Hotel and all are welcome. Fenwick, 65, will tell how […]
Sort out LVTs and keep on exposing leasehold ‘legal torture’, says Sir Peter Bottomley
July 17, 2012 By
Sir Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for Worthing West, praised those who have been exposing leasehold abuses in a statement to the Commons this afternoon. He also called on the government to examine the process of Leasehold Valuation Tribunals and asked for a written ministerial statement on their workings to be provided in September. He cited […]
John Fenwick and Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation to address free leaseholders’ talk at Worthing on July 25
July 4, 2012 By
John Fenwick, who won the £137,000 LVT action at Oakland Court in Worthing, is to address a free conference for leaseholders in the town on July 25. He is to be joined by Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation chairman Sebastian O’Kelly, who is also director of the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership. Fenwick, 65, will discuss how […]
Stop this ‘legal torture’ of pensioners, says Sir Peter Bottomley
May 19, 2012 By
A senior Tory MP has today placed a post on the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership website to express his utter disgust at the delaying tactics used by the freeholder – whose legal team included Laceys, who proclaim themselves the “honorary solicitors” of ARMA – at the Oakland Court LVT earlier this month. Sir Peter Bottomley, MP […]
Pensioners win epic £137,000 victory over warden’s flat rental
May 17, 2012 By
In a landmark case, 40 elderly leaseholders have won an epic battle against paying for the notional rent of their warden’s flat through the service charge. Since 1986 this has cost the residents in Worthing, Sussex, £137,000. The battle was fought in the face of repeated delaying tactics by their landlord, the Oakland Pension Fund, […]
