David specialises in planning, environmental and local government law (and associated public and property law) routinely acting in high stakes disputes.

David specialises in planning, environmental and local government law (and associated public and property law) routinely acting in high stakes disputes: “a renowned local government silk with extensive expertise across a plethora of public and environment law issues” who “has taken on a number of eye-catching planning cases in recent years”: Chambers and Partners, 2023.

David is consistently highly rated in the legal directories across his specialisms, recent recommendations have described David as “hugely impressive”; “a fantastic talent”; “really frighteningly astute” and “so focused, intelligent, sharp and responsive and very practical”.

David regularly appears in the Planning and Administrative and higher Courts, the Lands Chamber and at public inquiry and advises major players in his areas of expertise including large city and county councils, commercial developers and landowners and some of the main environmental NGOs as well as individuals and community groups.

Appointments

• Appointed to the Treasury's A Panel before taking silk (2008-2014)

• Appointed as Secretary of State decision maker in statutory environmental law appeals

• Appointed as legal assessor by Secretary of State and by mediators in various contexts

Memberships 

• Chair of Governors of Federation of Primary Schools in Islington 2001-2022

• Chair of the Free Representation United 1993-1994

• Inspector on Town and Village Green Issues for registration authorities