Can I challenge a compulsory acquisition order?

What the Law Says

The Land Acquisition Act sets out the only statutory avenue to challenge a compulsory acquisition order — through an application to the High Court under section 23.

Under Singapore law, once the Land Authority issues a Notice of Intention to Acquire land under the Land Acquisition Act, the acquisition generally takes effect automatically unless successfully challenged. There is no general right to appeal the decision on policy or fairness grounds — only narrow legal grounds are permitted.

Section 23 allows a person with an interest in the land (e.g., owner, lessee, mortgagee) to apply to the High Court for an order to set aside the acquisition notice — but only if the acquisition does not comply with the requirements of the Act or is otherwise unlawful.

The application must be made within six weeks after the date of publication of the Notice of Intention to Acquire in the Gazette. This deadline is strict and cannot be extended by the court.

Statutory Text

Any person interested in any land which has been notified as required by section 5 may, within six weeks after the date of publication of the notice in the Gazette, apply to the High Court for an order setting aside the notice on the ground that the acquisition is not necessary for any purpose specified in section 3 or that the provisions of this Act have not been complied with.

— Land Acquisition Act, s. 23 — Application to High Court to set aside notice

What to Do

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