Wild v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs & Anor

Wild v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs & Anor

The inspector erred in law by failing to consider the impact of public objections at the 1978 inquiry by persons who might have been the owner, which was relevant to whether the landowner acquiesced in public use and whether implied dedication could be inferred at common law.

Parties
Appellant: James Wild; 1st Respondent: Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; 2nd Respondent: Dorset County Council
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
21 December 2009
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Public Rights of Way, Dedication of Highways, Judicial Review, Definitive Map Modification

Case Brief

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Parties

James Wild

Appellant

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

1st Respondent

Dorset County Council

2nd Respondent

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the inspector erred in law by failing to consider the impact of objections raised at the 1978 inquiry on implied dedication at common law
  2. 2 Whether acquiescence and dedication by the landowner could be inferred from public use post-1978

Ratio Decidendi

The inspector erred in law by failing to consider the impact of public objections at the 1978 inquiry by persons who might have been the owner, which was relevant to whether the landowner acquiesced in public use and whether implied dedication could be inferred at common law.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed

Orders

  • Inspector's decision set aside
  • High Court decision reversed