A HARROW legal team has won a landmark ruling on behalf of a Wembley firm which challenges previous laws over so-called "squatter's rights".

Beaulane Properties Ltd, based in Wembley Hill Road, had been locked in a dispute with farmer Terence Palmer over a two-and-a-half acre field near Heathrow Airport. They owned the field for more than a decade, but had left it unused, hoping to take advantage of future planning regulations. Meanwhile, neighbour Mr Palmer had grazed cattle on the land since 1986.

Under the law of "adverse possession" an illegal occupant of a property can still claim its title if they stay on the land for more than 12 years without the owner taking steps to evict them. However, Vyman Solicitors, acting for Beaulane, successfully argued that this was not compatible with the Human Rights Act 1998. In a decision which could have wind-ranging consequences, the Judge agreed, saying that for Beaulane to lose the land would be "disproportionate".

Jeremy Berg of Vyman Solicitors said: "The case is unique in English Law. It illustrates how the Human Rights Act can be used to bring about a just outcome which would not otherwise have been achievable.The result is a tribute to the work of Counsel, Peter Knox, and to the efforts which have been made by the legal team involved, namely Peter, Anup Vyas and me.

"I am delighted at this outcome, especially since the land at the heart of the dispute is potentially extremely valuable (with planning permission, it may be worth over £1,000,000) and of great importance to our client, Mr Naresh Patel."

It is believed to be the first time that the Human Rights Act, which came into effect in 2000, has been used in this country to intervene in private property disputes.