Darwall & Anor v Dartmoor National Park Authority [2023] EWCA Civ 927 (31 July 2023)

Darwall & Anor v Dartmoor National Park Authority [2023] EWCA Civ 927 (31 July 2023)

Section 10(1) of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 confers a right of access to the commons for the purpose of open-air recreation, which includes wild camping, provided byelaws and statutory restrictions are observed. The statutory language is clear and unambiguous; wild camping falls within 'open-air recreation.'

Citation
[2023] EWCA Civ 927
Parties
Claimant/respondent: Alexander Darwall; Claimant/respondent: Diana Darwall; Defendant/appellant: Dartmoor National Park Authority; Intervener: Open Spaces Society
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
31 July 2023
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Court of Appeal (civil Division) Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Right of Access, Wild Camping, Commons, National Parks, Byelaws, Statutory Construction
Property Law Statutory Interpretation Public Access Right of Access Wild Camping Commons National Parks Byelaws +1 more

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Parties

Alexander Darwall

Claimant/respondent

Diana Darwall

Claimant/respondent

Dartmoor National Park Authority

Defendant/appellant

Open Spaces Society

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Court of Appeal (civil Division) Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether section 10(1) of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 confers a right to wild camp on Dartmoor Commons
  2. 2 Proper interpretation of 'open-air recreation' in the statutory context

Ratio Decidendi

Section 10(1) of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 confers a right of access to the commons for the purpose of open-air recreation, which includes wild camping, provided byelaws and statutory restrictions are observed. The statutory language is clear and unambiguous; wild camping falls within 'open-air recreation.'

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed

Orders

  • Declaration that section 10(1) of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 confers a right to rest or sleep, including wild camping, on Dartmoor Commons, subject to compliance with statutory provisions and byelaws.
  • Parties invited to submit written submissions on the appropriateness of the declaration.