The 13th Annual CPO Convention 2026
A deep dive into CPO practice: Contentious land right issues in land assembly
The purpose of this CPO Convention is to focus on some of the prominent and key areas of CPO practice. It delivers a nuts and bolts review of important and contentious practical matters. Aimed at those within CPO work; whether working and advising acquiring authorities or representing claimants.
| Start Date | Venue | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 September 2026 | Burges Salmon LLP, London | £310 | BOOK |
Note: All prices are to be paid in GBP and are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate
Speakers
- Rob Quaile, Director of Regeneration – Compensation, Ardent
- Henry Church MRICS, Senior Director, CBRE
- James Dewey BSc MRICS, Director - Head of Compulsory Purchase & Compensation, Gateley Hamer
- Gary Soloman, Partner, Burges Salmon LLP; CPA Wales Chair
- Angela Juszczyk BA (Hons) MSc MRICS Registered Valuer, Director, Roger Hannah
- Debbie Reynolds, Partner – Head of Compulsory Purchase, TLT LLP; Vice Chair of The CPA
- John Sayer, Head of Development Consultancy, Ardent; RICS Mediator & Expert Determiner (Global President's Panel); Past Chair of The CPA
- James Ross, Partner, TLT LLP
Programme
Why Regeneration Schemes Succeed and Why They Fail
- Land assembly as the critical path
- Political leadership
- Stakeholder buy-in
- Viability pressures
- Relocation problems
- Dealing with holdouts
- Balancing public interest and private rights
- Lessons from real schemes
Fragmented Ownership: Unlocking Land Where Ownership, Title and Absence can Create Paralysis
- Fragmented ownership of land can become a significant barrier to land assembly. This session examines how acquiring authorities and advisers can navigate these challenges in practice
Part 1 Claims: Compensation Beyond the Red Line
- Part 1 Claims extend compensation beyond those directly subject to acquisition, capturing the wider impacts of public schemes on neighbouring property. Where claims succeed, where they fail, how authorities and advisers manage risk, expectation and exposure.
The
Anatomy of Objection: Why Some Disputes Settle and Others Escalate
Managing
Objections: Can Better Engagement Reduce Conflict?
Panel Debate: Conditional CPOs - How Do They Work and Will They?
- Flexibility vs Certainty
- Risk of challenge
- Practical examples
- Delivery implications
Land Assembly in the Shadow of CPO
- Acquiring by agreement vs compulsion
- Does the prospect of CPO help or hinder negotiations?
- Voluntary acquisition
- Establish and understand landowner motivations
- Strategic use of options, agreements and relocation packages
- Collaboration agreements
- Equalisation
- Negotiated settlements
- Why some schemes settle and others become contested
- When CPO becomes necessary
Equivalence: Still Fit for Purpose?
Mental Health Talking Heads - What Does Good and Effective Engagement Look Like?
- The CPA's Mental Health Report recognised that the way people behave and engage with one another has a direct impact on Mental Health. Good engagement can build trust, while poor engagement can entrench positions and escalate conflict. This Talking Heads session explores those critical trigger points and asks: What does good and effective engagement look like, and how can it improve outcomes for all parties?