Compulsory Purchase is not the main theme of this blog, which is private residential landlord and tenant law and practice.
However it is mentioned from time to time, so I was happy to agree to do a brief review of this eminently authoritative book from Michael Barnes QC.
Probably the most important thing to say about this book is that it exists.
So if you are a lawyer either in practice or at one of the local authorities, here is an up to date and authoritative resource to help you with your job.
It is a lawyers book, not intended for a ‘lay audience’. Although elegantly written, it is not (unless you have some background in the subject matter) an easy read. Its purpose is to help those lawyers who work in this area have a detailed guide to the law, as is it is now, to help them.
The law of compulsory purchase is largely statutory and is contained in five main acts, all of which are discussed in some detail. There is also a large amount of relevant case law, which again is considered here.
There are two aspects to compulsory purchase, the law relating to the purchase of the land itself and the law relating to its valuation, so appropriate compensation can be paid to the land owner.
Both areas are covered in detail, so the lawyer working in this area need look no further for a comprehensive reference guide.
As you would expect, the book is not cheap. The recommended price is £95 but you can get it for £85.50 on Amazon.