Victoria Square Apartments: Residents secure major legal victory

The apartments were completed in 2008 but have remained empty for the last five years as all 91 residents were told to vacate the premises.

A claim was lodged by various owners of the apartments against the construction firms and the architecture company, for structural defects, negligence and loss of value.

Their bid for compensation was struck out in March 2024 but a proposed change to laws allowed them to appeal their failed multi-million pound compensation claim.

Mr Justice Huddleston agreed to dismiss the action after finding the apartment owners had not brought their case within that limit.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons proposed a new law to increase six year timeframe to 30 years.

In April, the owners of the defective apartments at Victoria Square were given permission to appeal their failed multi-million pound compensation claim.

The newly passed Defective Premises Act (NI) 2024 received Royal Assent and came into effect in September 2024, bringing the limitation period for claims brought in Northern Ireland into line with those in England and Wales.

Jonathan Jackson, Legal Director at Gateley Legal in Belfast, said : “I am delighted that we have achieved, through an agreed Order with the defendants in these cases, a reinstatement of our client’s High Court cases.

“My clients have been through a very stressful period, with much uncertainty as to the road ahead. I am very pleased that they will now have an opportunity to bring their cases forward to be considered on their substantive merits.”