A group of 40 squatters who have been living in an empty historic building in one of London's most exclusive areas have been ordered to leave immediately by a High Court judge.

The group, who have been squatting in an office block at 16 Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, were temporarily granted more time to take legal advice yesterday.

But property firm Quintain, which owns the lease to the building, were today granted a possession order by Mr Justice Henderson, who ruled the squatters had 'no conceivable defence' against eviction.

The group, who have been squatting in an office block at 16 Grosvenor Street (pictured) which in the Mayfair area of London, had been granted more time to take legal advice - but today a judge ordered them to leave

Banners hang from the windows at 16 Grosvenor Street after the group of 40 squatters were ordered to leave

Squatter spokesman Jed Miller, 23, who is studying law, said the group is expecting bailiffs to evict them from the building later today.

Mr Miller said the group included people who were homeless and vulnerable because of physical and mental health problems and might need the services of homeless charities.

He said: 'There are also a number squatting for political reasons. There are thousands of empty properties in London which could be used to house the homeless.

'We will move to the next squat, as we have done the other times.'

Property firm Quintain, which owns the lease to the building, were today granted a possession order by Mr Justice Henderson, who ruled the squatters had 'no conceivable defence' against eviction

The judge initially adjourned the case overnight for the squatters to take legal advice, especially with regard to whether they had a right to remain in the offices on human rights grounds.

But today he ruled at London's High Court that no such case had been put forward and Quintain was entitled to an order for possession.

The judge said: 'It seems to me there is no conceivable defence on behalf of the squatters, who have now been in the building for slightly over a week.'

Mr Miller requested that the group be notified before the bailiffs came in because one of their number had severe anxiety problems.

Quintain became concerned after a fire broke out in the building last week - a man was subsequently arrested

But the judge said: 'The remedy is in your own hands. The best way to avoid unnecessary anxiety is to leave immediately.'

A PR firm hired by Quintain, which has owned the building since 2005 under a 15-year lease, told the Evening Standard that the developers are working with a homeless charity to help the squatters after the eviction.

Barrister Katie Helmore, for Quintain, told the judge that Quintain had become concerned after a fire broke out at the building last week and a man had been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm.

The building dates back to the 1720s and was originally part of the Grosvenor Estate.

Notable occupants include the 1st Baron Walpole, son of Sir Robert Walpole the statesman, later 2nd Earl of Orford, 1725–38. 2nd Baron Conway, latterly successively 1st Earl and 1st Marquess of Hertford, 1740–63.

It was home to the Oriental Club from 1824–8 and the Royal Institute of British Architects from 1837–59.

The average property price on the exclusive London street is £6.5million.

DO SQUATTERS' RIGHTS EXIST DESPITE SQUATTING BEING ILLEGAL? In September 2012 squatting in England and Wales became a criminal offence. Squatting in residential buildings can lead to six months in prison, a £5,000 fine, or both. Before it became a crime, squatters could take ownership of the property by virtue of having lived in it for a certain period of time. The duration in which a squatter needed to live in a property before they could apply to be registered as proprietor of the land was dependent on whether the land was registered or unregistered. Unregistered land meant a squatter could claim ownership after a period of 12 years adverse possession of it. If the land was registered land and they occupied it for 10 years they could apply to be registered owner of the land. If the squatter is not entitled to be registered, the registered owner then had two years to obtain possession against the squatter. If this did not happen - the squatter remained in possession and could apply once again for registration as owner. Source: Findlaw.co.uk Advertisement