Expropriation Law

Lawyers at Cohen Highley provide comprehensive and strategic expropriations law advice, representation, and advocacy services to municipalities, government ministries, and property owners. “Expropriation” refers to the taking of land (or other property interests) by an expropriating authority without the land owner’s consent. Our experienced expropriation lawyers can help you successfully navigate through the expropriation process.

Services

If you are a municipality or government ministry, we can:

• Provide comprehensive service, from the project planning stages to the payment of the final dollar to the expropriated owner;
• Negotiate settlements with land owners, thereby eliminating the need for a costly land compensation hearing before the Ontario Municipal Board;
• Engage in strategies from the outset designed to reduce your total costs; and If a negotiated settlement is not possible, utilize our many years of advocacy experience to effectively represent you at a land compensation hearing before the Ontario Municipal Board and the Courts.

If you are a land owner who has been expropriated, we can:

• Negotiate and secure compensation for the taking of your land, damages to any remaining lands, business loss, and any special difficulties you have in relocating;
• Assemble a team of effective experts to develop a thoughtful plan to maximize your compensation; and
• If a negotiated settlement is not possible, utilize our many years of advocacy experience to effectively represent you at a land compensation hearing before the Ontario Municipal Board and the Courts.

Whatever your matter, we’re here to help.

Why Choose Cohen Highley?

Our experience ranges from negotiating settlements, appearing at Hearings of Necessity, trying cases at the Ontario Municipal Board, and taking appeals to the Courts. As a Southwestern Ontario firm, we are able to provide top-tier legal solutions while appreciating local concerns. Our experience in advocating for both governments and land owners gives us the ability to think beyond the legal issues and formulate effective strategies that recognize political and practical realities.