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Victoria Square apartment owners given compensation appeal go ahead Victoria Square apartment owners given compensation appeal go ahead
(30 days later)
Residents were told to leave the apartments in 2019 due to structural issuesResidents were told to leave the apartments in 2019 due to structural issues
Residents were told to leave the apartments in 2019 due to structural issues
The owners of defective apartments at Victoria Square in Belfast have been given permission to appeal their failed multi-million pound compensation claim.The owners of defective apartments at Victoria Square in Belfast have been given permission to appeal their failed multi-million pound compensation claim.
Residents had to leave the building in 2019 due to safety fears.Residents had to leave the building in 2019 due to safety fears.
Their bid for compensation was struck out as, under the law, claims must be made within six years of a building being completed.Their bid for compensation was struck out as, under the law, claims must be made within six years of a building being completed.
On Monday, new legislation was proposed by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to increase this timeframe to 30 years.On Monday, new legislation was proposed by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to increase this timeframe to 30 years.
A solicitor who represents the owners of 68 of the 91 apartments said on Tuesday that a challenge to that ruling is expected to be launched.A solicitor who represents the owners of 68 of the 91 apartments said on Tuesday that a challenge to that ruling is expected to be launched.
James Turner, of the O'Reilly Stewart law firm, said his clients had been granted leave by the High Court to appeal the judgment.James Turner, of the O'Reilly Stewart law firm, said his clients had been granted leave by the High Court to appeal the judgment.
The companies involved in construction and fitting out of the apartments deny liability.The companies involved in construction and fitting out of the apartments deny liability.
A column in Victoria Square with exposed, bent steel rodsA column in Victoria Square with exposed, bent steel rods
A column in Victoria Square with exposed, bent steel rods
Completed in 2008, the city centre apartments on Chichester Street have been empty for the past five years.Completed in 2008, the city centre apartments on Chichester Street have been empty for the past five years.
In April 2019, all residents were told to move out following an assessment of a structural column.In April 2019, all residents were told to move out following an assessment of a structural column.
Ulster Garden Villages Ltd, a charity which owns more than half the apartments, and individual owners joined forces to sue the builders and architects involved in the development.Ulster Garden Villages Ltd, a charity which owns more than half the apartments, and individual owners joined forces to sue the builders and architects involved in the development.
They claimed for structural defects, negligence and loss of value in a joint lawsuit, estimated to be worth up to £25m.They claimed for structural defects, negligence and loss of value in a joint lawsuit, estimated to be worth up to £25m.
Construction firms Farrans and Gilbert-Ash, along with architecture company Building Design Partnership, all denied any liability.Construction firms Farrans and Gilbert-Ash, along with architecture company Building Design Partnership, all denied any liability.
The three defendants successfully applied to have the action struck out on the grounds that it was statute barred.The three defendants successfully applied to have the action struck out on the grounds that it was statute barred.
Defective property law to end 'unfair disparity'Defective property law to end 'unfair disparity'
Defective property law to end 'unfair disparity'
Victoria Square apartment owners' spirits crushedVictoria Square apartment owners' spirits crushed
Victoria Square apartment owners' spirits crushed
Terminally ill apartment owner wants day in court
Terminally ill apartment owner wants day in courtTerminally ill apartment owner wants day in court
Under laws in Northern Ireland a claim for compensation must be lodged within six years of a building being completed - unlike the 30-year timeframe in England and Wales.Under laws in Northern Ireland a claim for compensation must be lodged within six years of a building being completed - unlike the 30-year timeframe in England and Wales.
Mr Justice Huddleston agreed to dismiss the action after finding the apartment owners had not brought their case within that limit.Mr Justice Huddleston agreed to dismiss the action after finding the apartment owners had not brought their case within that limit.
Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced on Monday that new legislation will be brought forward to bring Northern Ireland into line with the law in England and Wales.Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced on Monday that new legislation will be brought forward to bring Northern Ireland into line with the law in England and Wales.
With the case set to be listed for a further hearing in the Court of Appeal later in the year, no grounds of challenge have been disclosed at this stage.With the case set to be listed for a further hearing in the Court of Appeal later in the year, no grounds of challenge have been disclosed at this stage.
But Mr Turner added: "If this action had been brought elsewhere in the UK it would most likely not have been struck out."But Mr Turner added: "If this action had been brought elsewhere in the UK it would most likely not have been struck out."
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BelfastBelfast
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland