Parliament Bell Ringer Ordered to Sell Home Over Gate Dispute
A dispute over a front gate has resulted in a Parliament bell ringer being ordered by a court to sell his £1 million London home.
A London resident, identified as a Parliament bell ringer, has been ordered by the High Court to sell his home after a protracted legal battle with his neighbors over a gate. Adrian Udal, 66, will lose his £1 million property in Fulham after a court ruled that his home will be sold to satisfy a debt of approximately £104,500 owed to his neighbors, Nicholas and Lisa Patrick-Hiley. An additional £25,000 in costs from the latest hearing was also ordered.
Gate Destruction and Legal Battles
The dispute began in August 2023 when Udal tore out the roller gate and door leading to the Patrick-Hileys' new £2 million mews cottage on the day they were moving in. The couple had purchased the property as a retirement home. Udal claimed he had a right to remove the gate as he owned the land it was on. However, the Patrick-Hileys sued, and a judge labeled Udal's actions as a "carefully pre-planned" act of "wanton destruction."
Last year, Udal was ordered to pay £10,000 in compensation and an additional £85,000 for the neighbors' legal fees. This figure has since accrued daily interest, bringing the total owed to around £104,500.
Court Orders Sale of Property
Despite the court orders, Udal had not paid any of the compensation or legal fees, reportedly stating he had "no intention" of paying. In a recent High Court hearing, Deputy Master Martin Dray noted that the claimants were owed a substantial and increasing amount of money, and Udal had made no attempt to repay it. The judge ordered the sale of Udal's home to enforce charging orders and recover the debt.
Udal was given until October 2 to pay the full amount owed; if he fails to do so, possession of the house must be handed over within 28 days.
The unusual layout of the properties means the Patrick-Hileys' house is accessible via a passageway that runs under part of Udal's home. While Udal owned this land, the Patrick-Hileys had a legal right of passage. The couple had been informed of a prior dispute between Udal and the previous owner of their home but believed it had been resolved. They had even contacted Udal about potentially installing new gates before he proceeded to remove the existing ones.
Udal, a veteran bell-ringer for Parliament and St Margaret's Church, was described by the initial trial judge as a "poor witness" whose testimony prioritized his own perceptions over objective reality.
Nicholas Patrick-Hiley is a retired financier and former managing director at investment banking specialists Panmure Gordon.