As a landowner in British Columbia, you are not automatically the owner of the minerals on your property. Other people and companies have rights by law to enter your property to explore for and develop mineral resources. You may also have to give up some of your property for access roads and pipeline right of ways. However, in all of these cases, you are entitled to some form of compensation. Oftentimes, you may be offered compensation, but it may be lower than what you really deserve.
The British Columbia Surface Rights Board will hear disputes between landowners and persons attempting to access land. Our founding partners, Mike C. Stewart and Dan H. Griffith, are particularly focused on helping landowners obtain proper compensation for the use of their land.
We help with the following disputes:
- Negotiating surface leases and compensation payable
- Terms of entry onto private land to develop resources
- Pipeline right of ways and compensation
- Enforcing compliance to the terms of a surface lease
- Recovering damages for a loss caused by access to the land.
The parties to a Surface Rights Board case tend to be landowners on one side and oil companies, mining companies, and geothermal exploration companies on the other side. Surface Rights Board hearings can be both legally complex and costly. Inadequate representation in a surface rights case can result in an unsatisfactory outcome as well as thousands of dollars of legal costs payable to the other side. Hiring a lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Mike C. Stewart, P. Eng is both a professional engineer and a lawyer, which means that he understands both the scientific as well as the complex legal issues in a surface rights case. Dan Griffith has a strong background in administrative law and advocacy. Together, they can help you protect your interests before the Surface Rights Board. Call the ATAC LAW Corporation today to set up your initial consultation.
