From: RESO Records Enquiries <RESORecordsEnquiries@nationalarchives.gov.uk>
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2026 13:07:50 +0000
Subject: Response to National Archives case number CAS-313954-Y6C0H3 CRM:022601115
Message-ID: <00E27B941F5E4EBC8320336A5644B4F41DC97699761E@RESORECORDSENQUIRIES.NATIONALARCHIVES.GOV.UK>

Dear Sion Buckler,

Thank you for clarifying the nature of your enquiry.

In answer to your main enquiry, in general we would not add notes to, or review, records in light of unresolved disputes or other matters. The records are left to speak for themselves. In fact, those records are often incomplete and patchwork in character, meaning that they may not enable the enquirer to know what the final determination or outcome of any dispute was.

Since you refer to a reported Court of Appeal (Civil Division) case, I have conducted a quick search of our, admittedly limited holdings. The main record series in which you might expect to find archival material here are J 157<https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9764>, J 83<https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9691> and J 84<https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9692>. Unfortunately, none contain records relevant to the case.

Yours sincerely,

Charlotte Smith

Principal Records Specialist, Modern Legal Records
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk<http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/>

Enquiry:



To clarify my original enquiry, I am specifically concerned with the historical record surrounding the case of BP Properties Ltd v Buckler [1987] EWCA Civ 2, which involved a disputed land dispossession at Great House Farm in Llandough, South Glamorgan. This stemmed from earlier proceedings in 1974, including an adjourned case in July and an appeal attempt on October 31st that was impacted by correspondence from BP the same day. Following the 1987 ruling, there was forced removal, demolition of our family home, and archaeological activity on the site, despite ongoing questions about the adjudication of ownership prior to land registration.

My question is not solely about locating ownership or court documents (though any guidance on whether The National Archives holds physical files from these proceedings would be welcome), but rather whether circumstances like these—where ownership was disputed and not fully resolved before registration or excavation—raise any considerations for the integrity or completeness of the archival record. For instance, do such disputes prompt reviews or annotations in historical land records, or are there protocols for archiving related materials from corporate entities like BP or local authorities involved?

I understand your resources are focused on national-level holdings, but any further direction would greatly assist my research.

Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Archives Disclaimer This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual(s) to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient and have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete the email. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message and attachments that do not relate to the official business of The National Archives are neither given nor endorsed by it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------