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LATEST NEWS & EVENTS Squatting to be made illegal  Commercial property owners will have extra support in litigation and dispute resolution cases against squatters under proposals being put forward by the government. Confirming indications made by the prime minister last month, squatting is to be made illegal and more power given to building owners to remove unwelcome guests. Options up for public consultation include making squatting a criminal offence for the first time and abolishing so-called "squatters' rights", which currently prevent rightful commercial property owners from using force to break back in. Justice minister Crispin Blunt said: "Far too many people have to endure the misery, expense and incredible hassle of removing squatters from their property. "Hard working home and business owners need and deserve a justice system where their rights come first." It follows the news that the government will end a loophole that allowed squatters access to legal aid when fighting evictions. Justice minister Jonathan Djanogly noted that this left property owners having to pay for their own legal costs when trying to remove people. Neil Stewart, dispute resolution partner at Lamport Bassitt, described the proposals as "a victory for common sense". He added: "For too long property owners have had to tolerate the nonsense of squatters' rights and have had to spend considerable time and money in removing these trespassers who pay nothing to the landlord, often fund their defence with taxpayers' money, and are not at risk of having to pay the landlord's legal costs. "Let's hope that the proposals are not diluted before they become law." Posted by Paul Stevens 
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