Public Interest Lawyers (PIL): Lawyers instructed by OccupyNotts tofight eviction

Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) have been instructed by Occupy Nottingham as the group fight eviction by Nottingham City Council.

The group have been resident in Market Square, at the very heart of Nottingham, from 15 October 2011. Following months of peaceful occupation the Council issued a possession claim at Nottingham County Court on 7 March 2012.

The case was to be heard on Friday 15 March 2012. However, following PIL’s intervention, the Court granted a three-week adjournment to allow the protesters an opportunity to prepare a full defence. 

Occupy Nottingham contend that the local community has shown support for their movement, that they are not interfering with anyone else’s enjoyment of the land and that they are engaging the public in important debate. The movement has been a cooperative presence in the Square throughout. They have shown a willingness to relocate to ensure events go ahead and have participated fully in events like the Christmas Market. The group vehemently deny the Council’s accusation that the soiling of a flower bed is attributable to campaigners, instead pointing to the activities of late night revellers.  The group have put in place stringent Health & Safety measures to ensure that the camp, and the surrounding area, remains clean, hygienic and waste free.

Occupy Nottingham insist it is vital that they be allowed to continue their protest in the centre of Nottingham so that the momentum that has gathered around this national and global movement is not lost.

Carl Freeman, an Occupy Nottingham spokesperson and party to the eviction proceedings stated:

“For many years, people would traditionally come to the market place to camp while they waited to petition the authorities. This tradition has now been all but eradicated; that is, until Occupy restarted it. We have been here on the Market Square in occupation respectfully, peacefully and cooperatively now for over 150 days.

The situation we currently find in our local community, and in society as a whole, requires intervention. Since arriving on the Square, we have worked steadfastly to raise public awareness, engage debate and create ideas for change. We realise that this is not going to be a quick process and we are committed to seeing our project through to completion.

It is crucial we continue this work to maintain the momentum we have generated. As more people join us, they can help us continue to develop and spread this protest; until we succeed in making our voices heard, forcing the Council and government to stop putting capitalism first and listen to us as we seek to rebuild our economy and change policies to put the people and planet first."

Tessa Gregory of Public Interest Lawyers added:

“We are delighted to be representing Occupy Nottingham in its struggle against eviction. We have visited the camp and seen for ourselves how well run and contained it is. Camp members are exercising their legitimate right to protest without interfering with anyone else’s enjoyment of the land. In the circumstances of this case there is no compelling justification for the eviction proceedings brought by Nottingham City Council and we will vigorously defend the claim.”