Boundary matters

This section deals with the main issues arising from boundary disputes. It considers how boundaries are defined and how they can be identified; explains the role of plans both in conveyances and at the Land Registry; and gives detailed practical advice on measuring boundaries, drafting an expert's report and appearing in court. It also provides a point of reference for definitions of terms used in deeds, the principles of adverse possession and proprietary estoppel, and the methods of resolving boundary disputes.

The causes of a dispute often involve one or more of the following: hedges, party walls, boundary lines, planning permission or a change in ownership.

This section is maintained by Nicholas Isaac KC of Tanfield Chambers and Julia Stolle of Stolle Surveys Ltd.

• RICS standard: Boundaries: procedures for boundary identification, demarcation and dispute resolution in England and Wales
• RICS standard: Surveyors acting as expert witnesses
• Feature: Boundary disputes: unbiased work

For links to further RICS standards and Land Registry practice guides, see Further information.