Compulsory Purchase Orders.

Blake & Kenny LLP have, over many years, acquired particular expertise and extensive knowledge pertaining to the whole area of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) and Acquisitions. Our experience is unique in that we have dealt with many CPOs and Acquisitions for both private landowners and local authorities.

Blake & Kenny Solicitors have been representing private landowners and local authorities on Compulsory Purchase Orders and Acquisitions for over 50 years. We have the expertise, knowledge, and understanding of the entire statutory process, and continue to represent local authorities and private landowners on all matters relating to CPO.

In the main there are two distinct parts to the compulsory acquisition process: confirmation of the CPO, and assessment of compensation in the event that a CPO is confirmed.

In the first instance, the statutory body (normally the Local Authority) is required to circulate in one or more newspapers a Notice in the prescribed form, stating the fact of the making of the CPO and where it may be inspected, with maps attached. The Authority is also required to serve Notice on landowners, lessees, and occupiers stating the effect of the Order and specifying the time and manner in which objections can be made.

Where there are objections to the making of the CPO, An Bord Pleanála (the relevant Authority) is obliged to hold an Oral Hearing. Compensation issues are never dealt with at Oral Hearings; the purpose of the Oral Hearing is to determine whether or not the CPO proceeds.

For parties who are objecting fundamentally to the making of a CPO, it is essential to lodge your objection within the specified time to ensure it is dealt with at the Oral Hearing. This is a crucial period, and objectors ought to take relevant and specific legal advice as soon as possible; failing this, an objection or submission cannot be made during the Oral Hearing.

In the event that a Compulsory Purchase Order is confirmed and there is no Appeal to the High Court, the matter of compensation will be dealt with by the parties involved. It is also critical at this juncture in the process to obtain specific legal advice, to ensure a fair and reasonable outcome can be achieved.

We have represented both local authorities and private landowners in excess of 50 years, so you can rest assured that our CPO solicitors in Galway have the expertise, understanding, and skill-set to guide you through the entire statutory process.

We are in a position to offer specific and pertinent legal advice to both private landowners and local authorities, including advice on the preparation of all relevant submissions and expert reports required throughout the CPO and Acquisition process.

The above is a brief synopsis of the CPO procedure; the statutory framework, deadlines, and evidential requirements are detailed and time-sensitive. We welcome an opportunity to discuss any of these matters with you in confidence.