John Corrigall
Senior Advisor, Land Matters
Former Deputy Director, Lands Department (HK)
Specialist guidance on land administration, tenure, and government processes affecting development feasibility and approvals.
Overview
John Corrigall is Senior Advisor, Land Matters at Fairmile. He provides specialist advice on land administration and tenure issues that influence development feasibility, approvals strategy, and project delivery.
John brings decades of experience from senior roles within Hong Kong’s land administration environment, with deep familiarity across land exchange, lease modification, valuation, private treaty grants, and resumption. His guidance helps clients understand constraints early, develop practical pathways forward, and navigate complex land-related processes with clarity and confidence.
Areas of Focus
- Land administration and advisory support
- Lease modification and land exchange strategy
- Land use change and tenure considerations
- Valuation-related issues and premium approach (contextual support)
- Resumption and compensation considerations
- Site boundary and land status issues
- Government process navigation and risk identification
Professional Experience
John served in Hong Kong’s land administration system for more than three decades, including senior civil service roles within the Lands Department, with his last post as Deputy Director. Throughout his service, he dealt with a wide spectrum of land matters that regularly shape development outcomes, including land administration, valuation, land exchanges, lease modifications, private treaty grants, and resumption.
In his later years in government, John chaired a regular conflict-resolution forum addressing complex land-related issues, helping align competing considerations and move decisions toward practical outcomes.
Earlier in his career, John worked in the United Kingdom in municipal valuation and compulsory purchase matters, experience that complements his understanding of resumption processes and the real-world sensitivities that arise when land and development interests intersect.
Qualifications and Professional Affiliations
Academic
- BSc (Estate Management), College of Estate Management (at the time part of London University)
Public Sector Experience
- Hong Kong Lands Department – senior civil service roles, including Deputy Director (retired 2006)
Selected Experience
John’s experience is directly relevant to development work where land tenure and government processes are central to feasibility and delivery, including:
- Lease modification and land exchange pathways
- Land administration and valuation considerations affecting feasibility
- Resumption-related advisory and compensation context
- Resolution of complex land and boundary issues
- Conflict and stakeholder sensitivities requiring careful navigation
Role at Fairmile
At Fairmile, John supports clients and project teams on land matters where clarity on tenure, process, and government interface is essential. His contribution strengthens feasibility and strategy discussions by identifying land constraints early, shaping practical options, and guiding navigation through complex land-related procedures.
He is particularly valued where issues are sensitive, multi-party, or time-critical, and where a steady, experienced approach helps projects move forward with confidence.
Discuss a Land Matter
If your project involves lease modification, land exchange, resumption, or land administration complexity, we welcome a conversation.