Understanding the CPO Process

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How do I get CPO and Compensation Advice?
If you are under the threat of Compulsory Purchase , you need professional advice. Doing nothing is not an option. You need a surveyor/solicitor skilled and experienced in advising on CPO matters. Why? "The law and procedure relating to compulsory purchase is complex." DCLG.

Finding a CPO Practitioner
The Compulsory Purchase Association was set up to allow practitioners and others who have an interest in CPO matters to network and raise standards. We do not provide a service to introduce clients to members since we do not monitor professional standards of our members. However, members of the public and those seeking CPO services can use the services provided by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Law Society.

Finding a Surveyor
Some members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) are specialists in compulsory purchase and advise those who can exercise compulsory purchase powers. The RICS has prepared an information page that brings together useful information for those affected by compulsory purchase and practitioners in this area.

The information page includes:
 
  • A compulsory purchase helpline via the RICS contact centre, which provides callers with details of surveyors who are willing to provide up to 30 minutes free advice
  • A Consumer Guide providing an overview of the compulsory purchase process.
  • A Professional Statement outlining the requirements expected of RICS members providing advice in respect of compulsory purchase.
  • How to make a complaint against an RICS member where advice falls short of expectations.


Finding a Solicitor
If a member of the public is looking for a solicitor to help with a CPO problem, there are two sources of assistance from the Law Society. The Society has an accreditation scheme for planning specialists, a Planning Panel. The Law Society's Information Services will search their list. Call them on +44 (0)20 7320 5650 (Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.30pm) or email them at findasolicitor@lawsociety.org.uk.

The Law Society website also has a search facility "Find a Solicitor". It is operated on the basis of the enquirer's post code and on the area of law in which the enquirer has a problem. If there is not a category on CPO, enquirers should select planning law and administrative and public law. For further details please use this Link to the Law Society website.

For both the Panel and Find a Solicitor the member of the public would then need to contact the solicitor or firm to check whether they could take a CPO case. There is no equivalent free referral scheme.

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