Member Talk: Adverse Possession
Aimed at property practitioners, this bite‑size discussion explores the fundamentals of adverse possession, highlighting the key legal tests, procedural steps, and evidential requirements involved in establishing a successful claim — whether the land is registered or unregistered.
In this short video, our speakers unpack the practical and legal landscape of adverse possession. They examine the different time limits that apply to registered and unregistered land, the criteria claimants must satisfy, and how practitioners can present a robust application to HM Land Registry.
This discussion provides clear, practical guidance to support confident advice at the the point of instruction — helping practitioners navigate one of the most technical and misunderstood areas of land law.
This session covers:
- What adverse possession is
- The procedure for making a claim
- Different time limits for registered vs unregistered land
- How to evidence a valid claim to HM Land Registry
Speakers:
- Sarah Cookson (Director, Switalskis Solicitors; Member of the Law Society’s Property Member Advisory Committee)
- David Keighley (Solicitor, trainer, author and Council member for Residential Property)
This video was recorded on 24 August 2026
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