ALARM Tree root seminar - 26 April Andrew Plunkett, BLM 14.00Chris Robbins, RBKC 14.30Pat Robson, John Chick and Partners 15.00Coffee 15.20Chris Neilan,DC John Parvin, Zurich Insurance 16.20Questions and answers 17.00Finish

c ommercial d ispute resolution h uman resources i nsurance m edia & technology p ublic sector p roperty t ransport Tree root subsidence 26 April 2006 Andrew Plunkett Solicitor, BLM London

Basic requirements Ownership by claimant Control by LA

Four elements of nuisance Tree roots intrude Cause damage Reasonably foreseeable Tree maintenance

Cause damage… Paterson v Humberside 1995 – substantial and effective cause Loftus-Brigham v Ealing CA 2003 Delaware Mansions HL 2001 – damage to load-bearing qualities of residential land

Notice Delaware Mansions Lord Cooke: ‘the defendant is entitled to notice and a reasonable opportunity for abatement before liability for remedial expenditure can arise’ Jones v Portsmouth CA 2002 – 3 months sufficient notice Kirk v Brent CA 2005 – formal notice not necessarily required

Defences in practice Tree causing damage Mitigation – pruning, barrier, removal etc Ownership, control Foreseeability Maintenance Contributory causes of damage Reasonable notice Limitation

TPO claims Statutory liability TCPA 1990 Lands tribunal

ALARM protocol Helping LA’s to manage the claims process Approved by the LTOA