UKSC/2020/0056

Fearn and others (Appellants) v Board of Trustees of the Tate Gallery (Respondent)

Judgment given

Case summary


Case ID

UKSC/2020/0056

Parties

Appellant(s)

Giles Fearn and others

Respondent(s)

Board of Trustees of the Tate Gallery

Issue

Whether the Court of Appeal erred in failing to hold that the claimants were entitled to a remedy in the tort of private nuisance by reason of the Tate Modern’s use of the top floor of its Blavatnik Building as a viewing platform.

Facts

The Tate Modern opened an extension in 2016 called the Blavatnik Building. The Blavatnik building is ten stories high and, on its top floor, has a viewing platform which offers panoramic views of London. The Appellants own flats neighbouring the Tate Modern which are of a similar elevation to the Blavatnik building and whose walls are mainly made of glass. On the southside of the viewing platform, visitors to the Tate can see directly into the flats of the Appellants.The Appellants seek an injunction requiring the Tate to prevent its visitors from viewing their flats from the viewing platform, or alternatively, an award of damages. Their claim is based on the common law of nuisance.

Date of issue

11 March 2020

Judgment appealed

Judgment details


Judgment date

1 February 2023

Neutral citation

[2023] UKSC 4

Judgment summary

1 February 2023

Appeal


Justices

Hearing dates

Full hearing

Start date

7 December 2021

End date

8 December 2021

Watch hearings


7 December 2021 - Morning session

7 December 2021 - Afternoon session

8 December 2021 - Morning session

8 December 2021 - Afternoon session

Change log

Last updated 16 April 2024

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