Compulsory Purchase Orders

Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) are orders made by an acquiring authority such as a local authority, highways agency or utility company, giving them the legal right to buy or take land or property from you, without your consent, for the benefit of the public.

The government has pledged to spend millions on infrastructure projects over the next few years, from HS1 and HS2 to Manchester Airport City to new tram lines and motorways such as the Manchester Airport Relief Road Scheme, the M6 expansion works.

CPO Legislative Framework

As the compulsory acquisition of land goes against the land owners’ Human Rights, there are strict procedures set out primarily in the in the Land Compensation Act 1981 (as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004) regulating the compulsory purchase of land and the process of obtaining a CPO. 

The Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process is summarised in the Government Guidance on the Compulsory Purchase Process.

DCO Legislative Framework

Development Consent Orders (DCO) were introduced by the Planning Act 2008 to simply and speed up the process of obtaining planning permission for projects designated as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) in the energy, transport, water and waste projects.

Statutory Blight Notices and Blight Claims

Compulsory acquisition by the service blight notice is a valuable tool for a landowner in the surrounding areas of a proposed development, where the value of their property has been substantially lowered by the proposed development.  This is known as blighted land or blighted property. 

If undefended or accepted as a valid blight notice, the Acquiring Authority is required to purchase your property on Compulsory Purchase terms within 3 years so that you can move away. 

This is a reverse form of Compulsory Purchase Order, where the landowner can force the developer to purchase their property and obtain compensation for the loss of value to their house.

CPO, DCO and Blight Compensation Claims & Appeals

Land owners affected by a CPO, DCO or Blight are usually entitled to compensation, including compensation for disturbance.  Inevitably, the value of the land can cause a dispute between a land owner and the Acquiring Authority. Disputes around compensation are dealt with by references to the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber. 

Our CPO solicitors are experienced in providing clear and strategic advice on CPO, DCO and Blight compensation and on the HS2 Compensation Code and appeals in the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber.

For more information on Compulsory Purchase Orders, please read our FREE GUIDE – TOP 10 TIPS on Compulsory Purchase Orders.

Whether you are looking to use CPO, DCO and Blight powers or are under threat from them, our dedicated CPO lawyers have specialist experience in advising on the legal rights and obligations in the Compulsory Purchase Order process and the compensation payable.

We have an exceptional breadth of experience and Serena Amani is a member of the Compulsory Purchase Association. We have advised scheme promoters, businesses and residential owners in simple to complex cases and obtain favourable results with our knowledge and expertise.

Advising Promoters & Acquiring Authorities

You should seek professional legal advice when seeking to implement the complex but powerful legal tool of Compulsory Purchase Orders. No problem is too complicated for our specialist solicitors who can assist on:

• Advising on CPO and DCO law, including advice on strategy, policy, process and procedure
• Local Authority CPO Procedure
• Drafting CPO documentation, land acquisition agreements and vesting orders
• Defend CPO and DCO disputes
• Defend Blight Notices and Blight Claims
• Undertake advocacy and appeals in Upper Tribunal, Lands Chamber
• Advise and negotiate the most cost-efficient solutions and compensation
• Recovery of legal costs and expenses
• References to the Lands Chamber (Upper Tribunal)

Advising affected Businesses and Landowners

If you are facing a notice or court order to sell or leave your property, you should seek early professional advice. No problem is too tricky for our specialist solicitors who can assist on:

• Draft objections to a CPO or DCO
• Draft the Blight Notice of Claim
• Provide advice on losses and costs claimable under a CPO
• Help you fight for the proper compensation and heads of claim
• Provide clear guidance and communication on this complex area of law
• Help you make fully informed and evaluated decisions
• Help you obtain Advance Payment Compensation (of up to 90%)
• Represent and undertake advocacy service in the Lands Chamber, Upper Tribunal
• Advise and represent you in a public enquiry or petition to Parliament
• Draft and negotiate protective agreements to limit development
• Advise and negotiate the most cost-efficient solutions and compensation
• Recovery of legal costs and expenses
• References to the Lands Chamber (Upper Tribunal)
• Quashing a CPO to Retain Control of Land
• Advice on losses and costs claimable under a CPO
• Disturbance Compensation for Business Tenancies

Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) Conveyancing

To provide a seamless service in the transfer of land ownership following a CPO, DCO or Blight Notice Claim, we have specialist conveyancers who can deal with the sale or purchase of either Commercial Property or Residential Property or the Surrender of a Commercial Lease.

Price & Service Transparency

Given the complex nature of the CPO, DCO and Blight processes, it is important to act fast to protect your position and mitigate your loss and secure compensation. Our Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) lawyers work as part of our versatile Planning Team, providing CPO and DCO advice and representation nationally from our Manchester based head office.

If you are affected by a CPO contact our specialist compulsory purchase order (CPO) solicitors, who act for individual landowners, businesses and acquiring authorities.  We shall guide you through the complex process, provide strategic advice and ensure the best outcome for you.

Whatever your personal or commercial needs, we will offer you a bespoke advice and CPO cost structure. 

Contact Our Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) Solicitors:

Our Compulsory Purchase Order solicitors are ready to help you with any aspect of a CPO or Blight Claim. 

Please contact our Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) Team by sending an email to us at [email protected] and one of our team shall call you back. 

Alternatively, please call our Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) lawyers on 0330 127 8888 for a no obligation discussion. 

Monarch Solicitors is a leading UK law firm with specialist compulsory purchase order solicitors ready to offer their expertise. Our award-winning Manchester solicitors, London solicitors and Birmingham solicitors offer their legal expertise nationally and internationally.

We are also able to leverage an international network spanning across Hong Kong, Turkey and Dubai to provide seamless assistance with cross-border matters relating to compulsory purchase orders.