What's the Law ???

[Oldsage]

Hi Everyone,
just to say 'hello', and ask if anyone has the 'definitive answer', to a silly dispute that I have just had with a neighbour. Well, here goes, several years ago my neighbour planted a Laurel hedge on his land, next to my driveway, as it had spread to obscure around 2ft of my drive, I cut it back, (still leaving it slightly overhanging), I then bagged the Leaves / branches sealed the bags, and put them next to my neighbours drive, believing that under British law, they were his property...They were quickly returned by an angry neighbour (with threats)....So, under the law, who is right ....Please ???

[R0b]

That all depends on where you are living. There is no such thing as "British law" because Britain is made up of several countries and each have their own laws/quirks.

Assuming you are in England, I would say that on first reading you are right. Under common law, you have a right to prune trees that overhang into your property but you also have a duty to take reasonable care and not cause damage to it. The off cuts do belong to the owner of tree so you were right to offer them back, as they don't belong to you.

Tagging des8 to correct me if I'm wrong as he probably knows the answer.

[des8]

neatly summarised R0b

[seduraed]

Your neighbour has made it quite clear he does not want the trimmings so take them away and dispose of them.