Half Day Training Course

Navigating the Legalities: A Practical Legal Guide to Dereliction and Compulsory Purchase Orders in Ireland

Across towns and cities in Ireland, thousands of vacant and derelict properties remain locked in legal and procedural limbo, despite urgent housing and community development needs. This course will give you a clear understanding of statutory powers, obligations and processes surrounding dereliction and compulsory Purchase Orders from a legal perspective. You will gain the knowledge and skills needed to navigate complex legalities, regulations, enforcement rights, and use CPOs effectively to bring neglected properties back to productive use.

All attendees will receive a full course pack to refer to and will have the benefit of learning from a trainer with a wealth of experience in this area.

Topics

Introduction to Dereliction in Ireland

• Definition, causes, and scope of dereliction
• The impact on housing, community safety, and town vitality

Legal Frameworks Governing Dereliction

• Overview of the Derelict Sites Act 1990
• Vacant Sites vs. Derelict Sites
• The role of Local Authorities
• Planning & Development Act

Understanding Compulsory Purchase Orders

• CPO lifecycle of Derelict sites from identification to acquisition – managing the process
• Drafting notices, service of documents, timelines
• The 1966 Housing procedure
• Land Development Agency powers under the 2021 Act

Case Law & Precedents in CPO and Dereliction Cases

• Notable Irish decisions and lessons learned

ACP Oral Hearings

• Role of the Inspector
• Navigating objections and hearings

Compensation

• General Principals of Compensation
• Valuation Tribunal for Derelict Sites
• Arbitration in compulsory acquisition
• Chadwick v. FCC (Edwards Principal)

Compulsory Purchase Order Bill

• Background and need for a reform
• Overview of the CPO Bill 2025
• Key reforms and timelines
• Advanced payments

Who Should Attend

This course will be very beneficial to those in government departments, local authorities, planners, housing and regeneration officers, urban renewal teams. Councillors, legal and property professionals, solicitors, barristers, conveyancing, surveyors, architects, urban designers, engineers, developers, Approved housing bodies – AHB’s, policy makers, researchers, to name just a few.

Certification

On completion of this half-day training course, you will receive your Certificate of Attendance. Please note certificates are issued at the close of the training course to participants on completion of the course.

This course may qualify for CPD points. Please check directly with your association or awarding body to see how many points they will award.

Cost

An ‘Early Bird’ discounted rate of 499 is currently available. This training course normal rate is €599. Places are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis. PLEASE NOTE THE EARLY BIRD RATE CLOSES 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO COURSE DATE.

The course cost includes all course documentation and Certificate of Attendance.