Compulsory Acquisition
Tisher Liner FC Law’s compulsory acquisition lawyers specialize in matters under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 (Vic) ("LACA") and have acted for claimants in various major projects undertaken by the Victorian Government. Under the provisions of the LACA, the Victorian Government can acquire privately owned land for public purposes, either compulsorily or by negotiation.
About the role
Our team, led by expert compulsory acquisition lawyer Phillip Leaman, provides advice and assistance to clients facing compulsory acquisition, ensuring the best achievable outcomes. We assist land owners and tenants affected by government infrastructure projects, helping them maximize compensation and navigate the acquisition process.
Projects we handle
- Suburban Rail Loop
- Melbourne Airport Project
- Doncaster Structure Scheme
- Council acquisitions
- Yarra Valley Water and other water authority easement acquisitions and access agreements
- Bell Street, Coburg and Brunswick Voluntary Purchase Scheme
- North East Link
- West Gate Tunnel Project
- Melbourne Metro Rail Project
- Level Crossing Removal Project
- Charman Road and Park Road Cheltenham Level Crossing Removal and Sky Rail and road relocation project
- Sky Rail and Sky Rail Voluntary Compensation Scheme
- Mernda Rail Project
- Bass Coast Shire Council Acquisitions
Services
We assist property owners and tenants in compulsory acquisition matters, including:
- Maximizing compensation during the acquisition process
- Recovering legal costs from the relevant authority (up to any Court or Tribunal proceedings)
- Providing early advice to ensure optimal outcomes
- Coordinating with valuers, relocation experts, and other professionals
- Assisting with voluntary purchase schemes (e.g., East West Link, Level Crossing Removal Projects, Caulfield to Dandenong Sky Rail, Melbourne Airport Project, Suburban Rail Loop)
Case law and resources
Explore our recent case law updates and guides:
- Compulsory Acquisitions - Case Law Update: Secretary to the Department of Transport v Provan’s Timber Pty Ltd [2020] VSCA 210 (21 August 2020)
- Compulsory Acquisitions - Case Law Update: Caradi Pty Ltd v Secretary to the Department of Transport [2020] VSCA 197 (5 August 2020) (an appeal from Secretary to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources v Caradi Pty Ltd [2018] VSC 696)
- Summary of the compulsory acquisition process
- Guide to maximizing compensation from a compulsory acquisition