Court of Appeal holds landowner liable for spread of Japanese knotweed

摘要

Landowners have a measured duty of care to ensure that Japanese knotweed does not spread from their land, following the Court of Appeal decision in Williams v Network Rail Infrastructure Limited. Even in cases where no actual physical damage has been caused, the court decision opens up claims by neighbours for loss of amenity value owing to the hazard created by the mere presence of the plant's rhizomes under their property.