B2/2005/2438 
Neutral Citation Number: [2006] EWCA Civ 967
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE 
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL (CIVIL DIVISION)
ON APPEAL FROM GUILDFORD COUNTY COURT 
(HIS HONOUR JUDGE REID QC)
Royal Courts of Justice 
Strand 
London, WC2 

Tuesday, 20th June 2006
 
B E F O R E:
LORD JUSTICE AULD 
LORD JUSTICE BUXTON
LORD JUSTICE RICHARDS 

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REICHMANN & ANR 
CLAIMANTS/RESPONDENTS
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GAUNTLETT & ANR 
DEFENDANTS/APPELLANTS
 
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(DAR Transcript of 
Smith Bernal Wordwave Limited
190 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2AG
Tel No:  020 7404 1400  Fax No: 020 7831 8838
Official Shorthand Writers to the Court)

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THE APPELLANT APPEARED IN PERSON.
THE REPONDENT DID NOT APPEAR AND WAS NOT REPRESENTED.

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J U D G M E N T 
1.	LORD JUSTICE AULD:  Mr Gauntlett, as I mentioned to you at the beginning of the hearing this morning, the question put to this court and to the court below is one of a general nature, seeking an answer of an unqualified nature.  It may be, as I also said to you, that the two lines of authority may indicate that the answer to this is possibly general, possibly not; possibly qualified, possibly unqualified.  The matter comes before the court, as it did below, as a preliminary point which, depending on the answer given to it, would then have to be heard on its facts before the judge below.  It is a point of some importance in its absolute and general form.    

2.	Unfortunately, the other side is not here to argue the case and to develop any points which may not have been developed below, which would assist on the point of principle.  

3.	In the circumstances, because of the importance of the matter being argued fully and because of the important point of principle with which we have been presented, we consider that we should adjourn the appeal and seek the assistance of an advocate to the court, appointed through the medium of the Attorney General to assist the court.   

4.	So, that is what we shall do.  We shall adjourn the appeal and seek the assistance of an advocate to the court.  The matter will be re-listed for further argument.

5.	The Court will notify the landlords, the respondents, of our intention, and it will of course be open to them to be represented at the adjourned hearing.

Order: Appeal adjourned.