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 received a Notice of Reference from the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) concerning the validity of a blight notice or a purchase counter-notice, Form T375 is how you formally reply and take your place in the proceedings. It lets you confirm your contact details, name any representative acting for you, set out whether you intend to engage with the reference, and indicate the hearing procedure you prefer.
The form also captures whether you plan to call an expert witness and, where appropriate, allows you to lodge a statement of case. Filing Form T375 correctly and on time matters because the Lands Chamber works to strict procedural rules, and a late or incomplete response can affect how your side of the dispute is heard.
This page walks through what the form does, how to complete it, and where to get help if something is unclear.
What this document is
Form T375, sometimes called Form BNO Ref Response, is the official response form used in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) when a Notice of Reference has been issued about a blight notice or a purchase counter-notice. Blight notices are served by property owners who argue that public works or planning proposals have made their property impossible to sell at a fair value.
When a counter-notice is contested and referred to the Lands Chamber, the respondent uses Form T375 to register their participation. The form collects the respondent's name and address, details of any professional representative, confirmation of whether they intend to respond to the reference (with reasons if they do not), and preferences for the hearing procedure including the Special Procedure where a written explanation of suitability is required.
It also includes space to file a statement of case where the referring party has already done so, a declaration of responsibility, and a checklist for enclosures. The form can be filed electronically through the E-Filing service or submitted by post with physical copies of supporting documents.
How to use this document
Confirm the form applies to your situation. Check that you have received a Notice of Reference from the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) concerning a blight notice or purchase counter-notice. Form T375 is only the correct response form in these specific property reference proceedings, not for other tribunal matters.
Fill in your contact and representative details. Enter the full name and address of the respondent, whether that is an individual, a community body, or another organisation. If a solicitor, surveyor or other professional is acting for you, record their details so the Tribunal sends correspondence to the right place throughout the case.
State whether you intend to respond and choose your procedure. Tick whether you will take part in the reference, and if not, give your reasons. Then indicate your preferred hearing procedure, note whether you plan to call an expert witness, and if you select the Special Procedure, explain clearly why it suits the issues in your dispute.
Complete the statement of case and declaration. Where the other party has attached a full statement to their Notice of Reference, you must file your own statement of case in reply. Sign the declaration confirming that you accept responsibility for the information provided, and tick the checklist to show which supporting documents are included.
Submit within the Tribunal's deadline. The response must reach the Lands Chamber within one month of receiving the Notice of Reference. If you need longer, follow the Tribunal's extension procedure, which may involve an additional fee. File through the E-Filing service with digital attachments, or post the form with enclosed paper copies.
A blight notice is a formal notice served by a property owner who believes that a public authority's planning proposals or works have made their land effectively unsaleable at its proper market value. It asks the authority to buy the property. If the authority disputes the notice by serving a counter-notice, the matter can be referred to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) for a decision.
Q Who needs to complete Form T375?
Anyone who has received a Notice of Reference from the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) relating to a blight notice or purchase counter-notice and wants to take part in the proceedings should complete Form T375. This applies to private individuals, landowners, community groups and organisations alike, and it is the mechanism for formally joining the reference as a respondent.
Q How long do I have to respond?
In most cases the completed form must reach the Lands Chamber within one month of the date you were sent the Notice of Reference. If you cannot meet that deadline, there is a process for requesting an extension, which typically involves an additional fee. Check the current fee amount on gov.uk, as tribunal fees can change over time.
Q What is the Special Procedure?
The Special Procedure is one of several case management routes the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) can use. It tends to suit complex or higher-value references where detailed evidence and legal argument are expected. If you ask for this procedure on Form T375, you must explain why you think it is the most appropriate way to handle your reference rather than a simpler track.
Q Do I have to file a statement of case?
Only in certain circumstances. A statement of case is required with Form T375 when the party making the reference has already attached a full statement of case to their Notice of Reference. In that situation, your reply sets out your position on the issues raised. If no full statement was served on you, this section will not apply.
Q Can I submit Form T375 online?
Yes. The Upper Tribunal offers an E-Filing service, which lets you submit the completed form together with any supporting documents as digital attachments. If you prefer, you can also send the form by post, in which case any enclosures should be included as paper copies with the form when it is delivered to the Lands Chamber.
Q What happens after I file the form?
Once your response is received, the Tribunal will process it and give directions on how the reference will proceed, including timetables for evidence, expert reports and any hearing. You and your representative will receive correspondence from the Lands Chamber about the next steps, and you will be expected to follow any directions issued.
Unsure how to respond to your Notice of Reference?
Blight notice references can feel overwhelming, especially when there are procedural deadlines and different hearing routes to weigh up. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through your options based on what you describe during the call.
✓Plain-English answers to your specific questions about Form T375
✓Practical perspective on the hearing procedures and what each involves
✓Guidance tailored to what you describe about your Notice of Reference
✓A clearer sense of what to watch out for before you file your response
Personal call · For information only · Independent advisers
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.
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.
