About Us
The Compulsory Purchase Association (CPA) is a not for profit member organisation that promotes best and effective practice in the delivery of land for infrastructure, housing and regeneration through the use of compulsory purchase powers. Its members represent both acquiring authorities and claimants affected by compulsory acquisition, and come from a range of professional disciplines involved in the compulsory purchase process, including chartered surveyors, lawyers, barristers, forensic accountants, planners and land referencers. In that sense, it truly reflects the profession.
The CPA is a non-partisan organisation and neither supports nor opposes specific public works schemes. Its objective is to work for the public benefit in relation to compulsory purchase and compensation in all its forms. It seeks to promote the highest professional standards amongst practitioners at all levels, and to ensure that the legal framework for compulsory purchase and compensation is clear, fair and effective.
Background to the CPA
In 2002 Tony Johnson, a highly respected practitioner, author and educator was invited to consider the formation of an Association focusing on compulsory purchase. The Law Society, the RICS, the RTPI, The Bar Council, IRRV and the CAAV agreed to support the creation of an multi professional association and the CPA was duly formed.In August 2017 the CPA became an incorporated company limited by guarantee and continues to fulfil the same remit.
The CPA is governed by an elected Board of Directors drawn from across the professions together with co-optees who have appropriate, specialist skills to make a significant contribution. Membership of the CPA is broad based within the field which enables diverse contributions from both the public and private sectors.
Get involved
If you are involved or interested in the field of compulsory purchase, the CPA provides an ideal platform to network, learn, and contribute to best practice and law reform. The CPA has contributed significantly to recent law reform in the Localism Act 2011, the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017. The CPA was also one of the drivers behind the new RICS Professional Statement setting mandatory standards for surveyors advising in respect of compulsory purchase and statutory valuation.
We have personal and corporate memberships available and student membership is free.
To join, click here.
Objectives
Our objectives are:
- Establish a multi-disciplinary association of persons interested in compulsory purchase.
- Enable free exchange of views, experience and advice.
- Provide correspondence and newsletters to members by e-newsletters and e-mails.
- Promote lectures, seminars, and similar events, on compulsory purchase topics for both members (at preferential rates) and non-members.
- Provide networking opportunities for members Liaise with Universities to provide assistance on compulsory purchase topics.
- Act as a reference point and sounding board for Government, the Scottish Law Commission and others on compulsory purchase issues and proposals.
- Promote best practice in all aspects of compulsory purchase.
- Remain independent of all organisations so as to offer balanced and unprejudiced views and advice.
- The CPA brings together and channel the wealth of expertise in the subject of Compulsory Purchase and Compensation in the UK, and the SCPA does the same in Scotland and promotes and foster best practice, and when necessary, promotes the need for reform.
It also promotes training and networking to share experience and knowledge. The SCPA is independent and a self funded organisation.