e-mail received on the 8th December 2008 from a TRNC property buyer:
Dear Marian,
Can I ask you to put a note on your website that may be of use to lots of people and if enough people use it could bring an end to the helplessness for some victims of unscrupulous Lawyers/ Estate Agents / Builders etc.
I was recently reviewing my Buildings and contents cover on my home here in the UK which also includes “Legal Protection Cover”. I glanced through this section and thought Hang on a minute…..
I contacted my insurer’s claims helpline who put me through to Legal Protection Claims. I explained my situation vis a vis contract / builder / lawyer and they said they would check to see if my policy meant they could offer me assistance. Initially they said I was only covered for the EU plus a list of countries and parts of Turkey. Pointed out that EU website list Cyprus (and it states the whole Island not just the South) is an EU member state. Having checked this they have confirmed that I am entitled to legal assistance to the tune of £50,000.
I am now waiting for a solicitor to be appointed who has specialist knowledge of foreign property purchase. Not sure how much help £50,000 can buy but I will use it wisely to target those that have wronged me.
I am sure there are loads of victims out there that have legal cover on their home policies. I mentioned it to a fellow buyer who it would appear has similar cover and is now filling in claim forms to see if his insurer can offer him help. If enough people can get this sanction and suddenly smart lawyers from UK start causing pressure on the Justice system over there, the TRNC will eventually have to start enforcing their laws or face international humiliation. If enough victims can band together their legal fighting fund could be hundreds of thousands.
With enough money and bought legal pressure hopefully justice can be achieved.
Regards,
PS Keep up the good work, and thank you for being a ray of light in a long and dark tunnel.