Much Ado about Mighty Little - North Carolina and the Application of the Relative Hardship Doctrine to Encroachments of Permanent Structures on the Property of Another

This paper presents a legal argument for the application of the relative hardship test in all actions based on the encroachment of permanent structures on the land of another. First, the doctrine of relative hardship is presented. Second, this paper reviews the cases handed down by the North Carolina courts which have applied or discussed the application of the relative hardship test. Finally, this paper recommends the application of the relative hardship test as the most objective standard for determining an appropriate remedy where a mandatory injunction to compel removal is an issue.