ADVISORY SERVICE FOR SQUATTERS

LEGAL TRAINING WEEKEND

Saturday 15 April 2023 and Sunday 16 April 2023, 12-5pm

Open to squatters and allies,

At the autonomous winter shelter 88 Hardinge St, London E1 0EB

PROGRAM

Day 1 (Saturday 15 April)

12:00pm – 12:15-pm, Introduction and welcome.

12:15pm- 1:15 pm, Their system out rights: Understanding “squatters rights” and how they work within the system we fight.

This session includes an overview of:

• The structure of civil and criminal law in England and Wales,

• The law of trespass, and the landowner’s civil law powers and remedies including possession proceedings, “reasonable force” and sieges.

• “Section 6” squatters rights

• The ban on residential squatting, elements of the offence, defences, mixed use properties and hostels etc.

• Other key criminal offences that get used against squatters.

• Legal warnings, how they work, why they’re important and why they’re not.

1pm-1:45pm, Understanding bailiffs

Overview of different types of bailiffs, enforcement agents and security guards, their powers and duties, and legals tools to fight them.

2pm– 2:45pm, Dealing with the police

Introduction to police powers of entry, search, arrest, and fuckery, including key policing and public order powers. When to give a name etc and advice for if people get arrested.

3pm-4pm, Legal observing

Introduction to legal observing including monitoring security / bailiffs etc during eviction attempts.

4:15pm-4:45pm, Illegal evictions

• Identifying and responding to illegal evictions

• Applications to court

• Getting stuff back

Day 2 (Sunday 16 April)

12pm-1pm Understanding possession proceedings

This session aims to cover:

• Possession proceedings law and practice

• Overview of the legal process (possession proceedings, IPOs and injunctions)

• Notice of eviction

• Understanding “ownership” of land and how to read a land registry extract

• Understanding court papers

• Owners reusing old possession orders where places that have been squatted before

• Tips and tactics for court

• consent orders

1:15pm – 1:45pm Defences to possession proceedings

The main technical arguments that ASS uses when writing defences.

2pm – 3pm Defence writing workshop

3:15pm-4pm – Dealing with authorities other than the police

• Dealing with councils – including homeless applications, business rates / council tax problems and planning enforcement, and other powers

• Dealing with the fire brigade

4pm -4:30pm, Utilities

Legal issues relating to water gas and electric

4:30pm-5pm – Accessing public resources with no fixed abode

• Claiming benefits while squatting

• Getting registered (and staying registered) with a GP and dentist

• Vets and animal care