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Compulsory purchase and compensation

Expert legal advice on compulsory purchase orders and compensation matters for acquiring authorities, developers, and landowners.

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Overview Services Our team Our work What others say Insights

The compulsory purchase order (CPO) is a powerful tool for authorities and developers, enabling them to secure land necessary for significant projects.

However, the legal framework and procedures surrounding CPOs are complex, requiring specialist expertise to navigate them effectively.

Our compulsory purchase lawyers are nationally recognised for their exceptional work on CPO strategy, policy and process. We collaborate closely with acquiring authorities to promote CPOs, offering a specialist service designed to support local authorities through every step of the CPO process.

When acting for developers, we facilitate collaboration with acquiring authorities to enable successful development projects. We also represent companies and landowners impacted by CPO proposals, ensuring that their interests are protected.

Our team provides comprehensive advice on all aspects of CPO compensation, guiding acquiring authorities and landowners through the compensation process.

Where compensation disputes arise, we advise on references to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland, including providing advocacy services. In appropriate cases, we offer an initial risk assessment of CPO compensation claims at no charge.

Our compulsory purchase orders and compensation lawyers provide comprehensive support from strategic advice through to advocacy.

Services

Strategic advice for acquiring authorities

Advising acquiring authorities on the strategy to secure a CPO, considering the policy tests and the planning and funding position.

Secure online CPO tool for acquiring authorities

Access to a suite of CPO documents, processes, and timelines via a secure online platform.

Indemnity and development agreements

Drafting and negotiating agreements on behalf of acquiring authorities and developers to help underpin CPOs.

Leading on the preparation and submission of a CPO through to its confirmation.

Compensation code expertise

Comprehensive advice on all aspects of the compensation code including support on compensation claims.

Negotiations with landowners

Negotiating agreements with landowners governing the submission and withdrawal of objections.

Certificates of Appropriate Alternative Development

Specialist advice on obtaining these certificates, and their effect.

Lands Chamber and Lands Tribunal references

Expert representation and advocacy in compensation disputes before the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) and Lands Tribunal for Scotland.

Our team

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Examples of our work

North Somerset Council

Advised North Somerset Council on promoting the Banwell Bypass CPO, a major highway project designed to address network issues and enable housing and utilities.

Torbay Council

Advised Torbay Council on promoting the CPO for the redevelopment of Crossways Shopping Centre for retail and extra-care housing, implementing the confirmed CPO and the advising on compensation issues with owners and tenants.

Canal and River Trust and Environment Agency

Advised Canal and River Trust and Environment Agency on securing planning permission and CPOs for four inter-linked sites needed to construct fish passes along the River Severn, the largest lottery funded project of its kind in Europe.

Environment Agency

Advised the Environment Agency on the making, confirmation and implementation of the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme CPO, a major flood alleviation project designed to manage flood risk in the locality.

Isle of Anglesey Council

Advised the Isle of Anglesey Council on a number of compulsory purchase orders including significant road improvement works connected to the proposed Wylfa nuclear power station and regeneration proposals designed to secure environmental improvements.

A PLC company

Advised a PLC on a £80 million compensation claim related to a proposed scheme by Natural England, including representing the client’s interests in complex compensation negotiations, as well as successfully representing a major utility in a significant ransom claim.

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What others say

“They are a very compact, efficient, and experienced team. They have the ability to explain legal matters to non-legal client staff, and they have a very good understanding of the commercial and technical implications and interfaces.”

Legal 500 UK 2025

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Insights

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