As the House of Commons Justice Select Committee considers the abolishment of manorial rights, lawyers claim it presents a breach of human rights.
Manorial rights relate to land that a Lord of the Manor can access for purposes of hunting or fishing, or to claim an interest in any mines or minerals present. It is an ancient system dating back to William the Conqueror’s coronation as England’s king in 1066 when feudal rights were introduced.
In real terms, it allows those holding the title of Lord of the Manor to claim an interest in the land.
The Land Registration Act 2002 saw the rules change so that these interests had to be registered, and those who did not register their manorial rights by 13 October 2013 lost them.
The House of Commons Justice Select Committee has been conducting an inquiry into whether the outdated rights should be abolished completely.
One submission has raised the issue that removing these rights could lead to a legal challenge based on the abolition amounting to “deprivation” under human rights law.
The submission went on to highlight that, if proven, the Government would have to pay out compensation as a result, which would be a waste of public resources.
However, Peasants’ Revolt sits in opposition. The group represents about 500 residents in Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City who were informed that the Marquess of Salisbury had registered his manorial rights over their homes.
The group’s submission to the Select Committee said manorial rights are “a relic of the feudal system and have no place in a property-owning democracy”.