From 1 September 2012 a new offence of squatting in a residential building took effect but whether jail for up to 51 weeks and/or a fine will deter would-be squatters remains to be seen.
However those advising property owners or occupiers dispossessed by squatters will, by definition, be dealing with a situation where the existence of the offence was no deterrent. For advisers, the question is whether there is anything in the new law that may help get back possession of the premises.
Read the full article in the New Law Journal.