The short answer
Boundary disputes are often wildly disproportionate — the strip of land may be worth very little, but the cost of arguing can be enormous, and the loser may also face a large costs order. Early evidence and settlement usually beat litigation.
Why it matters
Costs escalate because these disputes need specialist input — legal advice, a measured survey, a boundary surveyor’s expert report, mediation, barrister’s advice, court applications and hearings. Expert reports alone can cost several thousand pounds, and legal fees can exceed the value of the land many times over. A full county court dispute may cost £20,000 to £60,000 per party; complex disputes, High Court proceedings or appeals can exceed £100,000. The biggest risk is adverse costs — the loser may pay a large share of the winner’s costs, so a party can lose the land and face a substantial costs order, while even the winner may not recover every pound. Courts often take a dim view of neighbours spending huge sums over a modest strip.
Costs often rise for one avoidable reason: positions become entrenched before the evidence has been properly assessed. Once both neighbours understand the genuine strengths and weaknesses of the evidence, the room for argument — and the cost — usually shrinks.
What to do now
- Obtain clear evidence early — a measured survey and an expert boundary report.
- Understand the litigation and adverse-costs risk before escalating.
- Explore negotiation and mediation before costs spiral.
Common mistakes
- Spending far more than the land is worth.
- Underestimating the adverse-costs risk.
- Treating court as a first resort rather than a last one.
When to call Coburns
If you are facing a boundary dispute, get in touch early and we will help you get the evidence and explore settlement before it becomes financially irrational.