[2024] UKUT 151 (LC)

Case No: LC-2023-810

AN APPEAL AGAINST A DECISION OF THE FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL (PROPERTY CHAMBER)

FTT REF: LC-2023-391

Royal Courts of Justice, Strand

London WC2A 2LL

4 June 2024

TRIBUNALS, COURTS AND ENFORCEMENT ACT 2007

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS CODE – JURISDICTION – whether operator entitled to apply for new Code agreement under Part 4 of the Code after losing right of renewal under Pt.2, Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 through delay in serving claim form – Paras 20, 27, 37, 40, Sch.3A, Communications Act 2003; Sch.2, Digital Economy Act 2017 – when unserved claim “finally determined” for purpose of s.64, Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 – appeal allowed

BETWEEN:

GRAVESHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

Appellant

-and-

ON TOWER UK LIMITED

Respondent

The Hive, Hive Lane

Northfleet

Gravesend

Martin Rodger KC, Deputy Chamber President

24 May 2024

Jonathan Wills, instructed by Freeths LLP, for the appellant

Oliver Radley-Gardner KC, instructed by Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, for the respondent

© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2024

The following cases are referred to in this decision:

Aktas v Adepta [2011] QB 894

Arqiva Services Ltd v AP Wireless II (UK) Ltd [2020] UKUT 195 (LC)

Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd v Compton Beauchamp Estates Ltd [2022] 1 WLR 3360

Crawley Borough Council v EE Ltd and another [2022] UKUT 158 (LC)

Johnson v Gore Wood & Co [2002] 2 AC 1

Piepenbrock v Associated Newspapers and others [2020] EWHC 1708 (QB)

Shotley Point Marina (1986) Ltd v Spalding [1997] 1 EGLR 233

Vodafone Ltd v Potting Shed Bar and Gardens Ltd & Anor [2023] EWCA Civ 825