Oxford college’s £250,000 costs’ bill over a hedge

A court has ruled that Mr Bethell, 75, is entitled to carry out maintenance on the hedge dividing his land from that owned by St John’s College, and is permitted to access university lands to do so.

The comments made as to alleged non-engagement (if true) are startling. The case law continues to amass as to the effect of refusing to discuss or engage with settlement negotiations.

We never wanted any litigation, we just wanted to sit down and talk to them, but they refused to meet with us.”