James Staniford

Expertise

James is a Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer working within the compulsory purchase team.  He is experienced in working with acquiring authorities and also for claimants affected by compulsory acquisition (or the threat of).  He therefore understands the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process from both perspectives, which is an asset in fostering positive relationships with claimants when undertaking land assembly exercises for acquiring authorities.

He has acted for a number of acquiring authorities, undertaking land acquisitions and providing professional advice in relation to both regeneration and infrastructure projects. He understands acquiring authorities need to reduce risk, provide certainty and, by doing so, reduce potential financial exposure. James is also skilled in negotiation and in building relationships, enabling him to achieve the agreement and settlement of fair and reasonable claims.

James acts for claimants who are affected by a variety of scheme types. He is experienced in making representations to the acquiring authority at an early stage, through to undertaking negotiations on behalf of claimants. He has also advised and successfully made applications in relation to statutory blight.

James is experienced in providing valuation advice in relation to all types of commercial property, including for company accounts, loan security and expert witness cases. He is also proficient in property management and landlord and tenant matters, which provides further pertinent knowledge for analysis of property interests and when acquiring land and property at an early stage.

Experience

1. Providing strategic project and valuation advice and undertaking land assembly negotiations on behalf of Acquiring Authorities in relation to a variety of urban regeneration schemes.
2. Consultations with Network Rail (and other bodies) in relation to the implementation of linear road schemes, including the negotiation of temporary access arrangements over the railway and permanent overbridge agreements.
3. Acting for both Acquiring Authorities and claimants in relation to a variety of infrastructure projects.
4. Providing advice and undertaking negotiations on behalf of landowners and affected parties in relation to HS2.
5. Acting for a Church Diocese in relation to a compulsory acquisition as part of a city centre redevelopment project. This matter included the replacement of existing properties in alternate locations.