A 77-year-old woman in Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, is locked in a tense standoff, refusing to leave her bungalow after failing to meet a court-ordered deadline to pay her neighbour over £113,000 in legal fees. Jenny Field was instructed to pay Pauline Clark the substantial sum by midday on Friday, following a five-year-long dispute over a mere one-foot strip of land. The court stipulated that if the payment wasn’t made, she would have to vacate her £420,000 home by 4 pm that same day, potentially facing the sale of her property to cover the outstanding bill.
Ms. Field, however, has declared her refusal to comply and remains inside her house, located in a quiet cul-de-sac. She is reportedly extremely cautious, refusing to open the door to anyone she doesn’t recognize via her Ring Doorbell camera, fearing the arrival of county court bailiffs.
Mrs. Clark, the neighbour involved in the dispute, has indicated that her legal team is prepared to request the courts to dispatch bailiffs, although she acknowledges that this process could take several weeks.
The Origin of the Dispute
The disagreement began when Mrs. Clark replaced the wooden fence separating their properties in June 2020. Ms. Field alleges that the new fence was positioned one foot closer to her property, effectively encroaching on her land.
Two months later, Ms. Field hired contractors to dismantle and reposition the fence, aiming to reclaim what she considered “her land.” This action triggered a protracted legal battle that ultimately ended in Ms. Field’s defeat earlier this year.
Ms. Field’s Perspective
Ms. Field maintains that she has done nothing wrong and is being unfairly targeted. “They want to evict me from my home, but they can’t do that. I have got human rights,” she stated. “All I have done is taken her fence off my land and given it back to her and put up my fence on my own land.”
She is adamant about not paying the substantial legal bill. “I have got no intention of paying her,” she asserted, adding, “I am not answering the door just in case it is the bailiffs, and if it is, I will tell them to go away.”
Ms. Field described her current state as one of fear and uncertainty. “I don’t know what else I can do, and I am frightened to death.”
Last-Minute Legal Maneuvers
In a last-ditch effort, Ms. Field has submitted an application to Bournemouth County Court seeking to set aside, or invalidate, the previous court ruling. She is currently awaiting a response.
Additionally, she has filed a complaint with the judiciary regarding the handling of the case. Ms. Field claims to possess survey evidence that supports her claim that Mrs. Clark encroached on her property. “I have surveys I have sent to the courts that show (Mrs. Clark) encroached on my property,” she said. “But they have taken no notice of me.”
Mrs. Clark’s Ordeal
Mrs. Clark, 64, believes her neighbour is unlikely to leave willingly. “She had until 4 pm to vacate, but she has not done so. She’s ignored so many court orders,” she stated. “My solicitors are dealing with it, and the next step are the bailiffs.”
She described the ongoing situation as a “nightmare” that has lasted for nearly six years. “I don’t know why she has this vendetta against me,” Mrs. Clark confessed. “I’ve been living a nightmare. I’ve been scared to leave my house.”
She recounted a recent incident where Ms. Field allegedly stared at her and pointed security cameras directly at her property. “Just last weekend, she saw me and just stopped and stared. She points her security cameras directly at my property.”
Mrs. Clark expressed concern that the eviction process may be prolonged and uncertain. “The judge gave her three months (to vacate), but it’s a waste of three months. I’m worried they will never get her out.”
Escalating Legal Costs
Initially, Ms. Field’s legal fees were under £14,000. However, her repeated challenges to the court ruling resulted in a dramatic increase of almost £100,000.
In September, a judge ruled that Ms. Field owed Mrs. Clark £113,266 and ordered her to sell her bungalow to cover the debt. Ms. Field did not attend the hearing, and the matter was decided in her absence.
Representing Mrs. Clark, Anna Curtis informed the court that Ms. Field had “no intention” of paying the owed amount, making the sale of the property a “last resort.”
Ms. Field’s attempt to claim £500,000 in damages for alleged “sham litigation,” trespass, and harassment was dismissed by another district judge. Judge Fentem deemed Ms. Field’s claims “totally without merit” and upheld the previous judge’s decision.
According to Anna Curtis, Ms. Field’s solicitor, Ms. Field’s property has sufficient equity to cover the debt, allowing her to purchase a comfortable retirement property mortgage-free with remaining funds.
A Determined Stance
Despite the looming threat of eviction, Ms. Field remains defiant, vowing to “sit tight” in her home. “I’m just going to sit tight,” she declared. “It is frightening every time the doorbell goes or the phone rings in case it is the bailiffs.”
She firmly believes that she is entitled to remain in her home. “I am not moving. This is my home, and I have paid for it. She (Ms. Clark) has no right to my property.”
