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Form T371 Notice of Reference UK: How to File (2025)

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Part ofUK Court & Tribunal Forms

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you have a dispute about land compensation, a compulsory purchase, or a claim under the Electronic Communications Code, you may need to file Form T371 with the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). This is the document that formally starts proceedings and sets out who the parties are, what the claim concerns, and how you would like the case to be handled. Getting the form right matters, because the Tribunal relies on it to understand the scope of your reference and to set the procedural direction from the outset. On this page I walk through what the form is used for, what each part of it asks for, and the practical points to think about before you send it in. If you want to talk any of it through with someone who has seen these claims before, a phone call can help you feel clearer about your next move.

What this document is

Form T371 is the Notice of Reference used by the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) to open proceedings in land-related disputes. The Lands Chamber deals with a particular bundle of matters: compensation for land taken under compulsory purchase powers, disputes involving absent or untraceable owners, applications relating to rights of access, and references brought under the Electronic Communications Code (which governs operators placing apparatus on private land).

The form captures the essential information the Tribunal needs to register the case, identify the parties, understand the property involved, and decide which procedural track is appropriate. It is not a claim for a county court or a High Court matter, and it is not interchangeable with other Tribunal forms.

Filing it correctly, with the right supporting information and the applicable fee, is what gets a reference properly started. Because Lands Chamber cases often involve valuation evidence, statutory interpretation, and technical documentation, most claimants choose to be represented by a solicitor, surveyor, or valuer. The form makes space for those details at the outset.

How to use this document

  1. Enter the claimant's details. Start by setting out your name, address, email, and telephone number. If you are being represented by a solicitor, surveyor, or other professional, add their details too. Indicate whether you are happy for the Tribunal to send routine correspondence by email, which tends to be faster than post.
  2. Add the respondent's details. Give the full name, address, and contact information for the other party to the reference, such as the acquiring authority or the operator under the Electronic Communications Code. Where the respondent has a known legal representative or agent, record those details so the Tribunal can correspond with the right person.
  3. Describe the land and the legal basis. Identify the property that the reference relates to, including a description and postal address, and explain the nature of your interest as owner, occupier, tenant, or otherwise. Specify the statutory provision or agreement that the reference is brought under, and where a compulsory purchase is involved, note whether the acquiring authority has already taken possession.
  4. List any other interested parties and hearing preferences. Set out details of anyone else with an interest in the land, such as a mortgagee, tenant, or co-owner, so the Tribunal knows who may be affected. Indicate whether you intend to call expert witnesses (often surveyors or valuers) and how many, since this feeds into how the hearing is planned.
  5. Sign, choose a procedure, and submit. Sign and date the form, and request the procedure you think fits best: standard, simplified, special, or written representations. Attach any supporting documents such as a statement of case or the agreement under which the reference is brought. Send the completed form to the Tribunal with the applicable fee, which you can check on gov.uk.

Common questions

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Common questions

Q When would I need to use Form T371?
You would use it when starting a reference to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). Typical examples include disputes over how much compensation is payable following a compulsory purchase, claims involving absent or untraceable landowners, disputes about rights of access to neighbouring land, and references brought under the Electronic Communications Code where a telecoms operator and a landowner cannot agree terms.
Q Do I have to be represented by a solicitor or surveyor?
No, representation is not mandatory and you can act for yourself. In practice, many claimants instruct a surveyor or solicitor because Lands Chamber cases often turn on valuation evidence, statutory interpretation, and detailed procedural rules. If you are unsure whether to instruct someone, it can help to talk the decision through with an experienced legal adviser first.
Q Is there a fee for filing Form T371?
Yes, the Tribunal charges a fee when a reference is filed, and further fees may apply later in the proceedings, for example when a hearing is listed. Fees change from time to time, so check the current amount on gov.uk or on the Tribunal's fees page before you send the form in. Paying the correct fee at the outset avoids delays in your case being registered.
Q What are the different procedures I can request?
The Lands Chamber offers standard, simplified, special, and written representations procedures. Standard is the default for most cases. Simplified is aimed at lower value or less complex matters. Special is used for particularly complex or high value cases. Written representations avoids a hearing altogether, with the Tribunal deciding on the papers. The Tribunal ultimately decides which procedure applies.
Q What supporting documents should I send with the form?
You should include anything that helps the Tribunal understand the scope of your reference. This often means a statement of case setting out your position, a copy of the statutory notice or agreement the reference arises from, and any key correspondence with the respondent. If valuation evidence or expert reports already exist, they can be included or produced later under directions from the Tribunal.
Q How long does a Lands Chamber reference usually take?
Timescales vary widely depending on complexity, the procedure used, and whether the parties settle along the way. Simpler cases on the simplified track can move through in a matter of months, while contested compulsory purchase compensation claims with expert valuation evidence on both sides can take well over a year. The Tribunal will set directions and a timetable once the reference is registered.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.