Where the Irish State acquires land under a compulsory purchase order, landowners have a constitutional right to be compensated. Where there is a dispute about compensation, the Reference Committee appoints a property Arbitrator under the provisions of the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919. This Act provides for a Reference Committee to appoint a property arbitrator. Either the acquiring authority or the person or body whose land is being acquired can apply to the Reference Committee to have an arbitrator appointed.
The Reference Committee is made up of the Chief Justice, the President of the High Court and the President of the Society of Chartered Surveyors. It is governed by two sets of rules: the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Rules, 1920 (S.R. & O. No. 600) and the Property Values (Arbitrations and Appeals) Rules, 1961 (S.I. No. 91 of 1961).
Application Form
Explanatory note - how to apply
Application for the nomination of a property arbitrator (MS Word)
You should send your applications to have an arbitrator appointed to:
The Secretary,
Reference Committee,
The Supreme Court Office,
The Four Courts,
Dublin 7.
You should enclose a fee card for €31.74 or a cheque made payable to the Chief Clerk, Dublin Metropolitan District Court with your application.