After a drawn-out legal battle spanning four years, a high-profile UK eviction case has finally been resolved. Patricia Ramshaw, better known on social media as Lady Pea, has been issued a rare extended civil restraint order (ECRO) by a civil judge, effectively preventing her from pursuing further “vexatious” claims against the property owners.
The Start of a High-End Feud
The drama began in November 2021 when Lady Pea rented a £3,500-a-month Grade II listed Victorian home in Ranworth, Norfolk, from the wealthy Cator family.
Paying a year’s rent upfront, she soon claimed the house was uninhabitable, citing damp, mould, and a lack of central heating.
The Cators countered that she had violated the terms of her tenancy by keeping a large number of animals on the property, including pigs, two horses, eight ducks, and 20 sheep, despite permission for only two dogs.
A Tumultuous Eviction Process
The conflict escalated into what some have called the UK’s “most upmarket eviction row.”
After a property tribunal sided with the Cators, Lady Pea attempted to appeal, delaying her eviction.
Finally, in June 2023, she was removed from the property after a bitter legal struggle.
The case included unusual details, such as allegations that Jane Cator, mother of landlord Sam Cator and a deputy lieutenant of Norfolk, had observed Lady Pea from the nearby Ranworth Church tower — claims she denied.
The tribunal also heard accusations that Lady Pea’s pig had caused damage to the garden.
Courts Stop the Ongoing Claims
Even after eviction, Lady Pea continued filing civil claims against the Cators.
Judge Karen Walden-Smith, in a pointed ruling, described her actions as an abuse of the court system, saying: “This claimant views litigation as being a never-ending process; that could not be further from the truth.”
The judge added that while Lady Pea might feel she had genuine grievances, she could no longer use the courts as a “weapon” against the family.
Lady Pea Reflects on the Dispute
In court, Lady Pea acknowledged that her legal options were now exhausted.
She stated: “I believed when I was renting a house and paying over £50,000, it was an honest transaction… I have suffered hugely because of the actions of Mr Cator and have attempted to save my world and save my life through the courts.”
She reiterated her acceptance of the court’s decision, emphasizing that she had no intention to pursue further claims against the Cators.
What an ECRO Means
The extended civil restraint order issued to Lady Pea is designed to save court time by limiting “vexatious” litigation.
Fewer than 200 of these orders are currently enforced in England and Wales.
They typically last three years, with the possibility of a three-year renewal.
Government guidance explains that ECROs are applied when individuals continue to seek court hearings despite prior refusals, focusing on a specific set of courts.
The order in this case ensures the legal dispute is now firmly closed, preventing any further claims against the Norfolk family.
