Squatters facing eviction from library (From Times Series)

Friern Barnet Library squatters facing eviction

9:13am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By Chris Hewett

Squatters in Friern Barnet Library face eviction today unless they can convince a county court they have a legal right to occupy the building.

Barnet Council is seeking an eviction notice to impose on the group, which gained access to the empty Friern Barnet Road building in early September.

Since taking over the closed facility, the activists have opened a community library on a weekly rota and have been lending books out to visitors.

The group was given a stay of execution when the first hearing was adjourned on September 18 to allow them to compile a defence for their occupation.

Barnet Council and the squatters will both sit at Barnet County Court from 10am this morning as the judge hears both arguments.

The library occupation has gained widespread media attention since it began, with group leaders appearing on television and in national newspapers.

Today’s hearing will be covered on the Times Series website and on Twitter via @TimesChewit1987 using the hashtag #FBsquatters.