Village Greens: Prosecuting an offence on a village green

If you wish to prosecute someone for a criminal offence on a town or village green, you must lay an information before the local magistrates’ court. This is done under the Commons Act 1876 s29 and Inclosure Act 1857 s12, and you must be an inhabitant of the parish. Examples of encroachments on town or village greens include unlawful parking; nuisance; erecting equipment, fencing, any building development; creating tracks across the green.

For further details, please see our information sheet Laying an Information – how to prosecute someone in a magistrates’ court.

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