ABSTRACT
A notice to treat is the first step in the exercise of compulsory powers following the confirmation of a compulsory purchase order. There are occasions where a notice to treat is not served as such, but is deemed to have been served (blight and purchase notices): the consequences that follow a deemed notice to treat are the same as if an actual notice to treat had been served. A relatively new procedure, the general vesting declaration, expedites the purchase of land; although a notice to treat is not served if this procedure is used, the effect of a general vesting declaration is, for certain purposes, as if a notice to treat had been served.
