Disputes on land

13 November 1998

Disputes on land

A NEW one-day resolution procedure, aimed at simplifying compulsory purchase land disputes, has been launched by the Country Landowners Association and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Oliver Harwood, CLA rural practice surveyor, said valuation disputes arising from compulsory purchase orders under law could only be resolved by litigation at the Lands Tribunal. That was often expensive and could be slow. "Like all litigation it exposes the losing partner to the risk of great expense," he said.

The new scheme, operated by the RICS, will provide a one-day mediation hearing which, even if unsuccessful, should clarify the issues and enable claimants to decide on whether or not to seek a Lands Tribunal decision.