Compulsory Purchase Solicitors

Compulsory purchase order & compensation solicitors

A compulsory purchase order (CPO) is a legal function that permits the officially enforced purchase of privately owned land or property for public use.

The compulsory acquisition process is a complex and technical area, requiring specialist knowledge of the legal and procedural requirements arising from the promotion or opposition of a Compulsory Purchase Order or Development Consent Order (DCO).

Our compulsory purchase solicitors provide expert and cost effective legal advice to promoters and objectors on all aspects of the CPO and DCO process.

Quick Enquiry

The promotion and opposition of compulsory acquisition schemes

We have advised on compulsory acquisitions under the Highways Act 1980, the Transport and Works Act 1992 and the Crossrail Act 2008. We have also acted for a number of landowners petitioning against the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017.

Our compulsory purchase expertise

We have experience of advising promoters including:

• advising on process and procedure under the different regimes used to promote CPOs and DCOs
• drafting CPOs and related process and consultation documents required for the promotion of the orders
• site entry under a CPO
• land acquisition by agreement, vesting declaration and deed poll
• references to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) and alternative dispute resolution

We also have experience of advising objectors and affected land owners:

• advising on the process and drafting objections to CPOs
• representing objectors and land owners at CPO and DCO public inquiry
• in petitioning Parliament against hybrid bills
• advising on the Compensation Code and representing claimants in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) in respect of claims for compensation
• drafting and negotiating protective agreements to limit development under a CPO affecting particular objectors

Claims for compensation following compulsory acquisition

We have advised both acquiring authorities and claimants in compensation claims including, where necessary, making a reference to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). Our experience includes acting for acquiring authorities and claimants following large infrastructure projects such as the London Olympics and Crossrail. We are also currently engaged by a number of landowners affected by the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017 to provide strategic advice in relation to their position.

Experienced compulsory purchase solicitors

Our team of experienced compulsory purchase order solicitors can guide you through the technical and complex regime affecting compulsory purchase and compensation.

We have provided legal advice in respect of over 35 separate CPOs and our clients include:

• Energy and Utilities clients
• Local Authorities and Central Government
• Universities and Schools
• Private land owners
• Corporate and public body land owners

Whether you are a promotor, objector or compensation claimant, we will work with you to ensure that you understand the law and procedure, recommend pragmatic solutions and give sensible cost effective advice.

Meet the Team

How our compulsory purchase solicitors can help

We recognise that CPO and DCO schemes require a multi-disciplinary approach and our compulsory acquisition team includes lawyers from our Planning Law, Construction, Public Sector and Procurement and Commercial Property teams.

Our experience in advising both promotors and objectors to CPOs and in claims for compensation means that we understand the concerns and requirements of all parties involved and focus on providing clear and pragmatic legal advice to guide you through this complex area of law.

For compulsory acquisition and compensation advice from experienced compulsory purchase solicitors, please contact Katie Hickman (London) on 020 7665 0913, or Dan Hall (Bristol) on 0117 314 5315.