Cornerstone Barristers

Alex Williams

Alex is a seasoned public lawyer with a broad and busy practice in Cornerstone Barristers’ core sectors of planning, licensing and social housing. A former career academic, he has years of high-level research experience and internationally-recognised expertise in constitutional, administrative and human rights law, on which he has authored a number of books and articles. He is a leading authority on the amenability of bodies to judicial review and the Human Rights Act 1998, on which he wrote his PhD and continues to advise as a practitioner. He is regularly instructed to act for central and local government and private clients in a range of matters including at planning inquiries. Recent notable reported cases include R (Humber Landlords Association) v Hull City Council [2019] EWHC 332 (Admin), concerning a challenge to local authority policy on private-sector landlords.

Alexander Campbell

Alexander Campbell is the a go-to barrister for complex social housing cases in particular involving intricate and novel issues around discrimination, the Equality Act 2010 and human rights. Moreover, Alexander’s experience in other areas of public law, including the Court of Protection and community care law, mean that he is particularly adept in social housing cases which cut across those areas of law. Recent work Highlights include: Johnson v LB Ealing - Successfully arguing that a local authority is entitled to prioritise the evidence of a consultant psychiatrist over the evidence of a social worker or nurse LB Ealing v Collister and Bounoua – representing the local authority in an application for an injunction to disrupt serious gang violence and turf wars within Ealing. Simon Prestage v Brighton Housing Trust – representing Mr Prestage in a case of wider importance because many housing providers purport to grant homeless people mere licences rather than tenancies.

Alistair Cantor

Alistair Cantor specialises in commercial and regulatory, property and housing law. He undertakes a broad range of drafting, advisory and advocacy work for private litigants and public authorities. Alistair began his career at UBS Investment Bank, before being called to the Bar in 2011 and has since built a successful practice. He combines his legal acumen with sound commercial expertise when advising his clients. He holds long-standing instructions from the Dobbs Review, the ongoing high-profile independent review into the HBOS Reading fraud. He has a unique specialism in enforcement law, having regularly acted in enforcement proceedings concerning high value and foreign judgments. Alistair is a mentor under the ‘Mentoring for Underrepresented Groups at the Planning, Public Law and Property Bar’ scheme. He is a member of Cornerstone Climate, our cross-disciplinary practice group for climate litigation and advice. An alumnus of University College London, Alistair earned his Graduate Diploma in Law with Distinction at the University of Law and was awarded the Buchanan Prize from Lincoln’s Inn for Outstanding Performance on the BPTC.

Andrew Lane

Social housing; public law; property.

Asitha Ranatunga

Public law; planning and environment law; licensing.

Ben Du Feu

Catherine Rowlands

Administrative and public law; social housing; Court of Protection.

Christina Lienen

Public Law, Information Law and Data Protection, Health and Social Care, Court of Protection, Planning and Environment, Housing

Clare Parry

Public law; planning.

David Lintott

David is a public law specialist working primarily in areas of local government, planning and housing. He represents local authorities and other public bodies, as well as private clients and residents' associations in inquiries and judicial review claims. He has appeared in some of the most significant planning and housing cases in recent years and has related expertise in human rights and EU law. He is a highly experienced and knowledgeable advocate with extensive experience of the Court of Appeal and High Court where he has successfully represented many local authorities, his recent cases include Panayiotou v Waltham Forest LBC [2018] 2 W.L.R. 1439; Eastwood v The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead [2016) EWCA Civ 437; Handley v Lake Jackson Solicitors [2016) EWCA Civ 465 [2016) 1 WLR 3138; Sanneh v SSWP [2015) EWCA Civ 49; London Borough of Enfield v Najim [2015] EWCA Civ 319; London Borough of Wandsworth v NJ [2013] EWCA Civ. 1373; Bubb v Wandsworth LBC [2011) EWCA Civ 1285.

Dean Underwood

Public and administrative law; local government; social housing; property.

Edward Grant

Ed is an experienced barrister specialising in planning law, noted for his skill and expertise as an inquiry advocate. He is regularly instructed by both developers and local authorities to act in relation to substantial residential and mixed-use development including significant town centre regeneration schemes. Some examples of recent cases are: a regeneration town centre scheme in Ashford to include nearly 300 residential units plus commercial and other uses and a new town square, a town centre regeneration scheme in Homsey including eighty residential units, the Chiswick Curve mixed-use scheme which if consented would be the tallest building in West London, and the Syon Park scheme which seeks consent for a housing estate in order to enable long-term repairs to one of the most important Grade I buildings in London. Although the principal focus of his practice is large mixed-use and housing schemes, he is noted for his expertise in planning enforcement matters and is a popular choice for local authorities and resident groups in resisting proposed gypsy and traveller development in countryside and Green Belt sites. Ed is co-author of the book Planning Enforcement, Wildy Simmonds & Hill, 2015.

Emma Dring

Emma is regularly instructed in High Court planning cases, both as junior counsel and sole counsel, in addition to continuing inquiry and advisory work. In addition to her existing public and private clients, Emma is on the Attorney General’s B panel and receives instructions on behalf of the Secretary of State. Emma undertakes a full range of planning work, but has the following specific area of expertise: Heritage – she has been instructed by Historic England and English Heritage on a number of occasions in recent years, to advise and also to provide representation in High Court proceedings. She has been involved in recent important cases on ‘setting’ and on the interpretation of chapter 12 NPPF. Local plans - Emma has represented clients in four examinations in public in recent years (two for objectors and two for local planning authorities). She has also been involved as junior counsel in four High Court local plan challenges. Enforcement/lawfulness – Emma has a particular interest in and experience of advising on these issues and regularly provides written advice. In addition to her planning work, Emma continues to accept instructions in other areas of chambers expertise, including social housing and licensing and general public law. Contributor to Cornerstone on the Planning Court and Cornerstone on Councillors' Conduct.

Emmaline Lambert

Emmaline Lambert is respected as a strong junior in the field who has broad experience of inquiries, enforcement matters and High Court challenges. She represents a diverse range of clients, including developers and third parties, and is routinely instructed to represent local authorities in planning inquiries and appeals. She is experienced in planning cases involving numerous sensitive environmental issues. Emmaline regularly appears in planning inquiries. Recently she has appeared in several planning inquiries relating to large housing appeals acting for both local authorities and appellants. In 2021 she acted for West Berkshire District Council in a 4 week called in appeal and for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in a 5 week called in application relating to major development in the AONB. In 2022 and 2023 she acted for South Oxfordshire District Council in 2 separate housing inquiries (one called in), and Hertsmere Borough Council in a Green Belt inquiry with issues including sequential testing. In 2022/2023 she represented Dartford Borough Council in the Examination hearings for a new local plan. Emmaline regularly represents local authorities in enforcement proceedings from planning appeals to injunctions and criminal proceedings resulting in confiscation orders. She has successfully obtained confiscation orders for the London Boroughs of Hounslow and Hackney this year. She is regularly instructed to assist prosecuting authorities at the earliest point to consider the evidence and to draft charges. This year she has successfully represented Ashford Borough Council, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and South Oxfordshire in Judicial Review/s.288 challenge proceedings.

Estelle Dehon KC

Estelle Dehon KC is a public lawyer with a wide-ranging practice, including environment and planning law (with particular expertise in climate and biodiversity matters); data protection, access to information; and election law. In June 2023 she appeared in the Supreme Court in a significant case concerning the climate impact of oil development. Estelle Dehon KC also appears for developers in local plan examinations and advises local authorities on controversial developments. Recent work includes: Appearing before the Supreme Court in R (Finch & Weald Action Group) v Surrey County Council concerning a controversial permission granted for 25 years of oil extraction in Surrey, which will establish the correct approach to considering downstream greenhouse gas emissions. Appearing in the legal challenge to the lawfulness of the UK’s net-zero aviation policy, and advising an international NGO on aviation and shipping emissions under the Paris Agreement; Representing developer, Ashill Land, at three hearing sessions in the Examination in Public of the proposed new Waverley Local Plan Part 2 (LPP2). Appearing in two of the biggest inquiries in 2021: the called-in inquiry on the new coal mine in Cumbria and the 10-week inquiry on the expansion of Bristol Airport; Representing the Appellant in one of five lead cases in the Information Tribunal, determining whether individuals outside the UK can make FOIA requests; Representing the Environment Agency in a challenge to consent for Chiltern Tunnel (HS2 development); Appearing at three national infrastructure inquiries concerning large offshore wind farms.

Gerard Forlin KC

Specialist in health and safety; corporate manslaughter: disaster litigation; aviation: railways; fire; shipping safety; regulatory offences; product liability; crowd safety; official state events; fire: diving; local government; healthcare; commercial fishing; corruption; waste offences; and public inquiries and inquests. Described as "one of the most compelling advocates that you could ever see in a courtroom." Standing counsel to numerous PLCs and agencies in the UK and abroad. Advised on over 250 fatality cases, including: Grenfell Tower, Shoreham Air Disaster, MH370, recent inquest F1 McLaren, Watford, Notting Hill Carnival, Southall, Paddington, James Porter, Teebay, Barrow, Hatfield, Purley, Faversham, Britannia Air Crash, City of London Lift Case, Alton Towers, Greek catamaran, inquests in Falklands and other sporting, aviation and construction cases. Acted in over 150 jury inquests in the UK and overseas. Regular presenter for FCO, ASEAN and UN on bribery and corruption. Direct Access Licensed. Regularly used as an expert pundit on BBC, Sky and CNN, and various other TV companies.

Graham Stoker

Leading senior junior in the area of planning law; advises and appears for a range of local authority and private clients; promoted 12 local plans; acts for volume house builders and English Heritage; appears at planning inquiries and High Court statutory challenges; acts for a range of local planning authorities throughout the South East and the Midlands; instructed for the council in McAlpine Homes v Swale Borough Council (CO/3164/2000 to be reported), the recent leading authority after Alconbury on the application of the Human Rights Act to the local plan process; recent public inquiry appearances include Heron Homes (appeared for Heron in a successful objection to the South Gloucestershire Waste Local Plan); Barrett, Persimmon, Westbury and Bovis (appeared for a consortium of major housebuilders in objecting to the Bromsgrove Local Plan Inquiry); English Heritage (appeared for English Heritage at the Trentham Gardens and Orchardleigh Inquiries into the restoration of listed mansions by enabling development) instructed by Norton Rose; appeared for English Heritage in the High Court challenge concerning the Regent Hotel, Leamington Spa; Bovis Homes (appeared to present objections at the Colchester Local Plan Inquiry); Prowting Homes (advising Prowting Homes and Bristol College on the redevelopment of the Ashley Down Site in Bristol, the second largest group of listed buildings in the South East); Bellway Homes (appeared instructed by RPS at the Aylsbury Vale Local Plan Inquiry); Swale Borough Council (have appeared at two major call-in inquiries into employment sites in Faversham, Kent); Welwyn and Hatfield (advising on the planning strategy for the Local Plan Review); appeared for Brentwood Borough Council and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead at Crossrail Inquiry in the House of Commons; also leading lawyer in the field of sports law retained by the UK governing body of motor sport, the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association Ltd (MSA); involved in drafting the regulatory rules of motor sport, advising on the settlement of disputes, chairing disciplinary hearings and advising on the broad operation of UK motor sport under national and international law; national representative for motor sport on the UK Sport Dispute Resolution Panel (SDRP), chaired selection panel appeals concerning ‘Team England’ at 2002 Commonwealth Games, settled disputes in athletics, football, swimming, skiing, judo and many other sports; produced report into British Grand Prix at Silverstone 2001, former member of the FIA International Court of Appeal, now representative for GB on the FIA World Motor Sports Council in Paris.

Harriet Townsend

Planning; environmental law; local government; property.

Ian Albutt

lan Albutt was called to the Bar in 1981. His practice encompasses all aspects of planning, administrative, environmental and local government law. He has wide experience of planning inquiries and regularly appears in the High Court in planning and public law matters. He is a member of PEBA. His specialist areas also encompass CPO and listed building issues. He has acted for many county and local authorities. He has a specialist practice in tourism and holiday park development and licensing. He has advised and is retained by many of the major tourism and holiday companies on development issues regarding existing and new sites throughout England and Wales. He accepts licensed access and public access instructions.

India Flanagan

India has a busy and growing practice primarily in the Court of Protection and health and social care, but also accepts instructions in a wide range of other areas, including licensing and housing. India has been commended by Judges for being ‘thoroughly professional and capable’, ‘very experienced’, making ‘sensible’, ‘cogent’, ‘focused’ and ‘logical’ arguments, as well as being ‘persuasive’, ‘articulate, structured and effective in her submissions’. India regularly receives repeat instructions, and is noted for her dedication to her cases, as well as quickly establishing a good rapport with her clients. Instructing solicitors have acknowledged her ‘sensitive’, ‘conscientious’, ‘proactive’ and ‘personable’ approach, ‘impeccable work’, ‘extremely thorough’ preparation, forensic attention to detail, being an ‘exceptional advocate’, acting ‘in a way which is far beyond her call’, and that ‘she truly cares about the client and their interests’. Outside of practice, India enjoys contributing to Lincoln’s Inn, and is a regular tutor at Lincoln’s Inn’s students’ residential weekends. She has been noted by a Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn, to have ‘demonstrated a real commitment to the wider role of members of the Bar’.

Jack Parker

Administrative and public Law; planning and environment and property law.

Jack Barber

Jackson Sirica

Jackson Sirica accepts instructions across all of Chambers’ practice areas, including public law, planning, housing, licensing and property. Before joining Chambers, Jackson trained at the Government Legal Department. During pupillage he gained significant experience in judicial review; planning; property; and housing law. He then spent a year at the Department for Business and Trade, where he advised on numerous areas of law, including freedom of information; company law and financial transparency; insolvency law; WTO law; and international investment law. He also advised on numerous aspects of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill. Jackson also has appeared for the government in public and private law proceedings in the Upper Tribunal and Central London County Court. Call: 2021

James Findlay KC

Specialist in planning and environment, compulsory purchase, licensing and local government law in both England & Wales and Scotland. Also undertakes a wide range of contract/commercial work. In last 10 years Supreme Court cases include Multilink Leisure Developments v North Lanarkshire Council (lease interpretation), Morge v Hampshire (resisting interim relief application), Welwyn Hatfield v SOSCLG (deceit and planning), Tesco Stores Ltd v Dundee City Council (interpretation of policy and sequential test), Uprichard v Scottish Ministers (local plan challenge) and Trump v Scottish Ministers (implied conditions). Numerous other related Court cases in both jurisdictions. Likewise numerous planning inquiries, including recent significant experience in windfarms, waste to energy facilities and acted for Guildford Borough Council promoting its local plan. Licensing work at all levels in both jurisdictions. James advises on all aspects of local authority law, including governance, elections, highways and procurement.

Jennifer Oscroft

Public law and judicial review, social housing, homelessness, community care, Court of Protection and immigration.

John Fitzsimons

John Fitzsimons is a versatile junior barrister who maintains a deliberately diverse practice encompassing data protection/information law, planning/environmental law, inquests/inquiries and general public and regulatory law. He is regularly instructed by a wide variety of public and private clients and is ranked in Legal 500 as a leading junior. Information Law: John has a robust data protection and information law practice, regularly representing private clients, public bodies, and the Information Commissioner. His expertise includes high-profile cases such as Hackney LBC v Information Commissioner, involving disclosure under the FOIA, and Moss v Kingston upon Thames, which explored contempt powers under s61 FOIA. He also provides advisory services on exemptions under FOIA, data breaches, and GDPR rights. Additionally, John frequently delivers data protection training in both the UK and Ireland. Planning and Environmental Law: John’s planning and environmental law practice spans residential, infrastructure, and environmental matters. He has advised local authorities, private clients, and resident groups on a range of issues, from planning inquiries to judicial reviews. His significant cases include acting in the Gomm Valley inquiry regarding over 500 dwellings and representing clients in judicial reviews such as R(Watton) v Cornwall Council, concerning planning permission for a crematorium. Public Law and Judicial Review: John has a broad public law practice, with a focus on judicial reviews and challenges to local government decisions. He has successfully represented claimants in notable cases like R(Fylde Coast Farms Ltd) v Fylde BC, addressing the interpretation of neighborhood development orders, and R(Wyeth-Price) v Guildford Borough Council, involving heritage and flooding issues. His advisory work also includes handling local government and regulatory matters.

Jonathan Clay

Jonathan's practice covers all aspects of planning and environmental control, housing, renewable energy, large-scale infrastructure projects and village greens, as well as housing, commercial and retail development schemes. Jonathan has been shortlisted for the Planning and Land Use Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2023. His practice involves appearances in the High Court and Court of Appeal and at major public inquiries. Recent cases include: Suffolk Coastal v Hopkins Homes [2017] (SC) on the meaning of the NPPF, NHS Properties v Surrey CC [2018] (CA) on village greens and statutory incompatibility (awaiting permission to appeal to the SC). Major development projects include: Amex Stadium, Brighton, where he represented Brighton and Hove Albion F.C. at inquiry and in the courts and, more recently, a scheme for the major regeneration of Bognor Regis where he acted for the successful appellant. His recent success in appeals at Eden Park housing development secured two planning permissions for major housing development on open land in Bromley. He works for both appellants and authorities in housing, commercial and industrial development appeals and has advised on content and soundness of local plans and on housing land supply issues and appeared at several local plan EIPs.

Josef Cannon KC

Practice Areas Josef’s practice at the Bar focuses on licensing, town and country planning, regulatory work, and property including landlord and tenant. He is recognised as a leading junior, in both licensing and planning, by Chambers and Partners. Clients He acts for and advises a wide range of local authorities, the licensed trade, developers, regulatory bodies, landlords and private individuals. He is also an accredited mediator, with particular expertise in mediating disputes in the public sector, particularly where they relate to planning or licensing. Recent work In recent years he has: represented Uber Britannia Limited in a Part 8 claim in the High Court as to the correct interpretation of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 successfully reinstated a licence for a music festival operator in Hertfordshire successfully defended a series of refusals of planning permission for residential schemes in the Green Belt, and acted for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council in a judicial review against its sex licensing policy. Publications Contributor to textbooks and Journals, including Licensed Premises: Law and Practice and the Journal of Licensing.

Kelvin Rutledge KC

Public law; local government; housing; community care.

Kuljit Bhogal KC

Housing; local government; administrative and public law; Court of Protection

Lee Parkhill

Public law; local government; Court of Protection; health and social care

Lindsay Johnson

Lisa Busch KC

Lisa Busch is a leading advocate in planning, environmental, local government and public law. She represents central Government departments, local authorities and other public bodies, as well as private clients and residents' associations in inquiries and judicial review claims in all areas of her practice. In 2017-2018 she acted for the Education and Skills Funding Agency in a series of inquiries concerning new free schools, reflecting her expertise in dealing with major and medium-scale infrastructure projects. She is experienced in dealing with the CIL Regulations, having acted for Waverly Borough Council in an examination into its CIL charging schedule in July 2018 and for Wealden District Council in an application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court in a case involving the interpretation of the Regulations. She regularly advises local authorities on all aspects of their powers and duties: recent cases include Cambridge CC v Traditional Cambridge Tours and others [2018] EWHC 1304 (QB); R (Harvey) v Ledbury Town Council [2018] EWHC 1151 (Admin); and R (Bewley Homes Pie) v Waverly BC [2017] 2 P & CR 19. Contributing author to P. Cappel QC, Information Rights (Sweet & Maxwell, 2004); 'Ultra Vires Representations and Illegitimate Expectations', Public Law (Public Law, 2006).

Lois Lane

Lois accepts instructions across all areas of chambers work with a particular interest in planning, environmental, public, and licensing law. She is also a member of the cross-disciplinary Cornerstone Climate team. She completed her twelve-month pupillage (October 2022 – September 2023) under the supervision of Estelle Dehon KC, Andrew Lane and Ryan Kohli. Before coming to the Bar, Lois obtained a PhD in medieval history from King’s College London. Alongside her research, she taught on the first-year undergraduate Medieval British History module and gave regular presentations to academic and non-academic audiences. After completing her PhD, Lois worked as a policy officer at CPRE, the Countryside Charity, and at the National Housing Federation. In these roles she helped develop evidence-led policy positions on a range of housing and planning issues, represented CPRE in local and national media, supported CPRE’s network of 43 local groups to develop their own campaigns, and provided policy advice for housing association staff on issues including welfare reform, supported housing, and the impact of Covid-19.

Martin Edwards

Matt Lewin

Matt is a public lawyer. His practice has a particular focus on local government, having acted for around 100 local authorities across England and Wales. He is appointed to the Attorney General’s and the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s C Panels of Counsel. He was also recently nominated for the Young Pro Bono Barrister of the year award. Matt is an experienced external investigator into complaints of councillor misconduct and regularly advises monitoring officers dealing with complaints about councillors as well as representing councillors facing disciplinary proceedings. He is also an information law specialist, and has advised public authorities on data protection and freedom of information matters. His recent work includes training for the Cayman Islands government on data protection and freedom of information. He is a Freedom of Information Level 1 trainer for PDP. He is a contributor to Cornerstone on Councillors’ Conduct (Bloomsbury Professional, 2015).

Matt Hutchings KC

Matt has a broad practice spanning the full range of chambers’ public law work, property, and commercial and regulatory litigation. He is the ideal barrister to advise in cases involving elements of commercial, property and public law. Matt has several decades of experience in appearing before the High Court in both judicial reviews and commercial trials, as well as of appellate advocacy, including at the highest level. Recent public law cases include Supreme Court briefs in R(Z) v Hackney, McDonald v McDonald, Hotak v Southwark and R(N) v Lewisham. He also appeared in the CJEU in R(Hemming) v Westminster. Matt has appeared before the Court of Appeal on dozens of occasions. Recent trial work includes Rail for London v Hackney, a landlord and tenant dispute in the Chancery Division about the construction of a rent covenant, implied terms and estoppel by convention, Chalfont St Peter v Holy Cross, a claim in unlawful interference/unlawful means conspiracy arising out of alleged planning fraud, Southwark v London District Housing Association & ors, a multi-party claim for breach/evasion of planning obligations and the Building Act arbitration following the Supreme Court decision in Manolete Partners v Hastings. He frequently acts for or against the government as well as in disputes between private individuals and organisations, often in the development sector, and has a keen understanding of his clients’ commercial and strategic aims. Matt is very active across the social housing sector, providing strategic advice to many London boroughs, particularly in the areas of regeneration, property, homelessness, and housing. A significant part of Matt’s practice relates to highways and traffic management. Matt offers advice that is strategic, practical and realistic.

Matthew Feldman

Matthew Feldman has extensive experience in housing law representing local authorities, registered social providers and tenants in statutory homelessness appeals, possession claims, human rights, discrimination and Equality Act 2010 challenges, statutory succession and right to buy proceedings, claims and injunctions based on anti-social behaviour, unlawful eviction and harassment claims, disrepair, succession and Environmental Protection Act 1990 cases. Recent work Matthew Feldman has acted in several influential social housing cases, including: R (on the application of Nolson) v Stevenage BC - The Court of Appeal considered the procedure for reviewing an application for the provision of relief in the form of interim accommodation in a homelessness judicial review case, following a refusal of interim relief on the papers. Yemshaw v Hounslow LBC - The Supreme Court held that the term 'domestic violence' in section 177(1) of the Housing Act 1996 included physical violence, threatening or intimidating behaviour and any other form of abuse which, directly or indirectly, might give rise to the risk of harm. R (McGarrett) v Kingston Crown Court - The Divisional Court held that the purpose of an ASBO was not to punish, and the terms of the order had to be proportionate to the risk to be guarded against. Further, the order had to be both necessary and justified. London & Quadrant Housing Trust v Ansell – Part of the ‘tolerated trespasser’ litigation for which leave to appeal to the House of Lords was granted, and the case settled on favourable terms shortly before the final hearing.

Matthew Lewin

Matt is a top-ranked public law barrister, recognised as a “rising star”, whose clients range from government departments to parish councils. His work includes advocacy in court and at public inquiries, investigations, reviews, training, public speaking and advisory work on a diverse range of public law issues, for clients across England and Wales. He is a member of both the Attorney General’s and the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s C panels of counsel. He is listed as a “rising star” in local government law in Legal 500 2023 with “great expertise and knowledge and a broad local government practice”. The Court of Appeal has described his submissions as “excellent … [made] with skill and moderation”. Matt was a nominee for the Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year 2019 award.

Michael Paget

Public law; social hosuing; property

Michael Bedford KC

Michael has an extensive practice covering all aspects of the development process (including compulsory purchase) with a particular emphasis on larger scale projects. He is currently promoting several local plans, including proposals in the East of England. He is also promoting major infrastructure projects under the DCO regime in Great Yarmouth and under the TCPA regime in Norwich, as well acting for other participants in DCOs concerning Sizewell B and the Lower Thames Crossing. He is also acting on a range of housing and mixed-use developments in London and across the South East and the East of England. Michael acts for developers and landowners, local planning authorities, and local highway authorities. Michael is familiar with presenting cases at inquiries and hearings, local plan examinations, and DCO examinations. His Court work includes leading cases on the Duty to Co-operate (Zurich and Barker Mill), Appropriate Assessment (Abbotskerswell and Devon Wildlife Trust), DPDs/SPDs (Skipton Properties), and the meaning of deliverable sites (East Bergholt). Michael practices in Wales as well as England. He also deals with Definitive Map and other rights of way matters and sits as a Village Greens Inspector.

Natasha Peter

Planning and Environment, Commercial, Alternative Dispute Resolution

Nina Pindham

Planning and Environment

Olivia Davies

Olivia maintains a consciously broad practice in most areas of Chambers’ work, including public law, planning and environmental law, commercial law, election law, housing law, licensing law, information law, and inquests. Olivia is a member of the Cornerstone Climate team. Olivia regularly appears before courts, tribunals, public inquiries and inquests for a range of clients, both public and private. Her current private clients include a popular fashion brand in a commercial injunction claim for alleged breach of a licence agreement. Her public work has recently included being part of a team of counsel for three former Post Office sub-postmasters in the Court of Appeal proceedings where their wrongful convictions were overturned after the ‘biggest miscarriage of justice in history’. Olivia’s public clients are often local authorities, whom Olivia represents in a range of cases, from a recent un-led two-week planning inquiry concerning the refusal of permission a 49.9MW solar development on Green Belt land, to complex multi-track possession trials.

Paul Shadarevian KC

Planning and environment.

Paul Marshall

Commercial litigation/dispute resolution. Financial services litigation, bank mis-selling of regulated financial products to SMEs, commercial fraud, including money laundering, corporate law, equitable obligations and remedies in a commercial context. Recent cases include: Portland Stone Firms Ltd and Ors. v Barclays Bank Pie and Ors. (HQ 16X02619); London Executive Aviation Ltd v RBS (HC2014 02117) (structured interest rate swaps), Trustees of the Centre of Life Church International, Hill and Ors. v Barclays Bank, (HC2014 002102) swap sold to charity; Purrunsing v A'Court & Co. [2016] EWHC 789 (Ch); [2016] 4 W.L.R. 81; [2016] E.C.C. 32; [2016] Lloyd's Rep. F.C. 310; [2016] P.N.L.R. 26; [2016] W.T.L.R.1027; [2016] 2 P. & C.R. DG14 (identity fraud, professional negligence, refusal of relief for breach of trust, s. 61 Trustee Act 1925); Abbey Forwarding and Anr. v Hone and Ors. (No3) [2014] EWCA Civ 711, [2014] Ch 309, [2014] 3 WLR 1676, (damages, cross-undertaking for freezing injunctions); Swain and Ors v Swains Pie and Ors. [2015] EWHC 660 (Ch) (undervaluation of shares and unlawful means conspiracy); West is West Film Distribution v ICON Film Distribution [2013] EWHC 1181 (Comm) (Film distribution licence, property in DVDs), Shilmore Enterprises Corp. v Phoenix Aviation [2008] EWHC 169 (injunction, aircraft). Publications: Atkin's Court Forms Vol 18(1) Equitable Remedies (2018 Issue) editor. [2018] 5 JIBFL, 282 'Disclosure of risk in SME swap transactions: the Court of Appeal wreaks havoc with accepted principles'; [2017] 9 JIBFL 540 'Travels in unreality: hard cases for SMEs and the making of English financial law'; Trusts and Estates Law & Tax Journal, November 2016 (No. 181) 'Consequences of non-compliance'; [2016] 5 JIBFL 266 'Fault Lines in English Financial Law, Thom bridge v Barclays Bank'; [2015] 1 JIBFL 11 'Bailey and Anr v Barclays Bank pie [2014] EWHC 2882 Novating mis-sold swaps: the poverty of narrowly contractual analysis'; [2014] 11 JIBFL 679 Crestsign v Natwest and RBS [2014] EWHC 3043 -'Humpty Dumpty is broken: unsuitable and inappropriate swaps transactions'; Butterworths Corporate Law Service (Editorial Board) Company Law. Atkin's Court Forms Vol 35. A Practical Approach to UK Money Laundering Law and Practice, 3rd Ed. 2015 City & Financial Publishing. Also: The Company Lawyer, Financial Times, LMCLQ.

Peggy Etiebet

Peggy's strong practice in social housing is complemented by her expertise in the Administrative Court, principally for community care, and the Court of Protection. Peggy is an experienced social care practitioner, advising and representing local authorities in all aspects of social care work undertaken by adult social services, children's services and housing departments. Her work has included: public law challenges to individual needs assessments and care plans; duties under the Equality and Human Rights Acts; public law challenges to powers/duties owed under sections 17 and 20 and the leaving care provisions; interrelation between Children's Act and the housing legislation: interrelation between Children Act and adult social care; section 117 residence disputes; mental health services; interrelation with NHS duties/powers.

Philip Coppel KC

Ranjit Bhose KC

Local government; public law; social housing; landlord and tenant; property; property related negligence; licensing; civil litigation; Court of Protection.

Riccardo Calzavara

Public law and judicial review; local government; social housing

Richard Ground KC

Richard appeared in recent large Planning Inquiries including. Cribbs Causeway major called in inquiry into very substantial retail expansion. Four QCs appeared at Inquiry. South Oxfordshire housing inquiry which involved a detailed housing land supply argument where Richard’s clients were successful. Bramshill Mansion and Registered Park inquiry. This was substantial inquiry over 5 weeks involving 3 QCs into highly significant and complicated applications for very sensitive Grade I heritage assets where Richard appeared for Historic England. Chiswick Curve. This was recovered jurisdiction inquiry into the tallest proposed building in West London at 32 storeys. This was a 4-week inquiry with very significant effects on large parts of West London. R (oao Cotham school) v Bristol City Council [2018] EWHC 1022 (Admin) Richard’s clients successfully challenged decision to register village green.

Richard Hanstock

Public law; infomation law; licensing; regulatory.

Robert Williams

Public law; planning and environment; property.

Robin Green

Robin specialises in planning and environment: local government law: public law and property. He regularly appears at inquiries and in the High Court on behalf of private clients and local authorities. Robin also appears in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) in property and compensation cases. Robin is frequently asked to advise on legal problems straddling his main practice areas, as well as on tactical and evidential issues. He takes a commercial and pragmatic approach to litigation. He was called to the Bar in 1992. LLB, University College London Publications Contributor to Cornerstone on the Planning Court and Cornerstone on Councillors' Conduct. Principal contributor to the Housing title in the Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents, Volume 18. Author of articles on local government land transactions, publicity and local government finance for Westlaw Insight. Contributor to Licensed Premises: Law, Practice and Policy, 2nd ed, chapter 31 (Planning and other strategies).

Rowan Clapp

Rowan is developing a broad practice across all areas of Chambers’ work. He has significant public law experience having previously worked in the Abuses in Counterterrorism department at Reprieve and volunteered as an anti-trafficking researcher for Kalayaan, an immigration charity focussing on the rights of Overseas Domestic Workers. Rowan also spent a year working in commercial law at a specialist commercial litigation firm handing the RBS Rights Issue case, affording him valuable insight into litigation strategy. He is regularly instructed to act for central and local government as well as private clients in a broad range of matters. Recent instructions include appearing in a homelessness review before the Court of Appeal (Kiefer v Hertsmere) and advising Extinction Rebellion in relation to the ‘Autumn Uprising’ in light of the court’s decision in R(Jones) v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2019] EWHC 2957 (Admin).

Ruchi Parekh

Ruchi has a broad public law practice specialising in local government, planning and environment, information, housing and licensing law. She is instructed by a wide range of private and public sector clients, including local and central government and other regulatory bodies. She can also be instructed directly as a public access barrister. Recent and ongoing notable cases include: Representing Sarah Finch and the Weald Action Group in the Finch Litigation at the Supreme Court. the first time it's ruled on "downstream" emissions. Representing the claimant group challenging the grant of development consent for the Sizewell C nuclear power station. Representing the community group challenging the ‘Jet Zero Strategy’, the Government’s plan to achieve net zero in the aviation industry. Armstrong v SSLUHC [2023] EWHC 176 (Admin): Leading authority on the scope of s.73 TCPA 1990 and whether it extends to a “fundamental variation” of the original planning permission. Prior to coming to the bar, Ruchi worked as a legal officer at JUSTICE, where she led the civil justice program. Her previous experience also includes human rights litigation in domestic courts in eastern Europe and southern and eastern Africa, and the European Court of Human Rights, while working at Interights.

Ryan Kohli

Administrative and public law: Ryan has extensive experience representing government departments and local authorities in public law proceedings including a leading case on the meaning of “clearly unfounded” in the asylum context. Examples include R (on the application of FR Albania) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2016] EWCA Civ 605. Landlord and tenant (including social housing): Ryan has been involved in significant cases in the social housing sphere on the application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and s. 15 of the Equality Act 2010. Examples include Paragon Asra Housing Limited v Neville [2018] EWCA Civ 1712; Hackney LBC v Haque [2017] EWCA Civ 4 and Thurrock Borough Council v West [2012] EWCA Civ 1435. Planning: He regularly represents clients in significant planning cases including those concerning air quality and the interpretation of the General Permitted Development Order. Recent examples of his work include: appearing on behalf of the Secretary of State in R (on the application of Durham and Hartlepool) v SSLUHC [2023] EWHC 1394 (Admin) which concerned the jurisdiction of planning inspectors to determine solar farm appeals which are, or might amount to, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project; representing Cheltenham Borough Council in what is thought to have been the first planning appeal in which planning permission was refused for a major housing scheme solely on climate change grounds.

Sam Fowles

Sam is a public lawyer. He regularly acts in all levels of tribunal, having appeared in the senior courts both led and unled. He advises at all levels of government including the Council of Europe, shadow cabinet, regional, and local government. His recent cases includes advising the shadow cabinet on the necessity for EU elections if the Article 50 period is extended, representing the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis in resisting a request for personal data relating to an investigation into child sex crimes, and advising a coalition of NGOs on the impacts of post-Brexit trade agreements. Sam is an experienced advocate before the information tribunal and provides advice and representation for a range of, individuals, NGO, and commercial clients seeking to obtain information from national and local government. Sam regularly appears in national and international media as an expert in constitutional, information, and international law including BBC Parliament, BBC Business, BBC World, The Guardian, The Independent, The New Statesman, and Al Jazeera.

Sarah Salmon

Sarah Salmon specialises in local government, housing, and property law. She has represented public bodies (including the police), charities, local authorities, housing associations, individuals and companies in her specialist areas. In relation to housing, Sarah’s caseload includes all aspects of housing management, possession, homelessness and allocations, Equality Act 2010 duties, welfare benefits, anti-social behaviour, unlawful eviction and housing conditions. Recent housing work Sarah Salmon’s recent advisory work has included: the allocation of social housing and reviewing an allocation scheme; issues associated with homelessness applications and how an authority provides temporary accommodation pursuant to duties under Part 7, Housing Act 1996; proposed adaptations of a property and the interaction between an authority’s policy and a disabled facilities grant under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996; reviewing a reasonable adjustment policy for a social landlord; and, EU Settled Status and the impact on a possession claim. She has also successfully acted in a number of appeals including those under section 204, Housing Act 1996 appeals and an appeal by a local authority against the dismissal of a possession claim based on allegations of subletting.

Shomik Datta

Shomik is a property and commercial litigator with two decades of experience. A highly regarded practitioner, his client base includes large PLCs, property developers, local authorities, registered providers and high net-worth individuals. Examples of his recent cases include: Rail for London v London Borough of Hackney [2022] EWHC 2929 (Ch), concerning a dispute about the interpretation of a commercial lease, implied terms and estoppel by convention; enforcement of a £15m restoration obligation relating to the largest open-cast mine in Europe, which went to the Court of Appeal on issues of construction; the first Court of Appeal case to consider the Council Tax Scheme and recovery of putative over payments; numerous disputes between employers and former employees concerning restrictive covenants and confidentiality provisions; right of light disputes concerning developments in Milton Keynes and Winchester; advising upon several applications to modify or remove freehold restrictive covenants to permit development; and telecommunications code disputes.

Steven Gasztowicz KC

Undertakes property and commercial work such as ownership disputes and fraud claims (eg Bajwa v Furini, ChD and CA, White Book 2018), rights of way (eg Embassy Air Services Ltd v Sandown [2010] ChD), highway matters (Foy v Dacorum BC [2015]), cases involving development rights (eg BDW Trading Limited v Spooner [2011] QBD), and all other land related matters (including restrictive covenants, adverse possession, and commercial landlord and tenant eg OM Properties Ltd v Shoprite [2009] QBD), contractual claims (eg Cluley v Dix, QBD and CA, White Book 2018) and all aspects of planning, administrative, and local government law.Appears at planning inquiries of all types (including local plan inquiries eg Leicester City Council, Hinckley & Bosworth BC), and deals with statutory appeals (eg Quaystone Properties Ltd v Secretary of State [2018] Admin Court), judicial review (eg Mohamed v London Borough of Waltham Forest [2018] Admin Court), and all other types of Administrative Court cases (eg Cala Homes (South) Ltd v Chichester DC, White Book 2018); also with related litigation such as claims for damages relating to planning issues (eg Chapman v G & E [2014] QBD), and proceedings in respect of matters necessary to enable developments to proceed, such as rights to connect to the drainage system (eg Barratt Homes Ltd v Welsh Water [2009] UKSC).Local government work ranges from resisting challenges to advising on statutory powers, including the potential liability of others (such as statutory undertakers in relation to recent major floods).Deals with common law claims of all types, including negligence and professional negligence (eg Mann v Chetty & Patel CA, White Book 2018), nuisance (eg Barratt Homes Ltd v Dwr Cymru [2013] CA), and claims for statutory compensation (eg Manolete plc v Hastings BC [2016] UKSC).Also undertakes company work and insolvency matters (eg Pathania v Adedeji [2014] CA), and disciplinary and regulatory work (eg Institute of Chartered Accountants v LP (a firm) – proceedings against auditors of a collapsed travel agency plc).Author of Scamell and Gasztowicz on Land Covenants, 2018.

Tara O'Leary

Public and administrative law; local government; social housing; licensing; planning

Thomas Cosgrove KC

Leading planning and public law barrister appointed King’s Counsel in 2017. His work typically entails leading multi-disciplinary teams of experts in relation to development and infrastructure projects as well as providing early tactical advice and written/oral advocacy at inquiries or in court. Tom aims to add value to his clients’ work and deliver a very high quality service drawing on his extensive experience across a range of sectors. Tom provides an unstuffy approach that understands his clients and their needs, providing them with clear and comprehensible advice. He has extensive experience of planning inquiries and related high court statutory challenges. Tom acts for both private clients (including several of the leading housing developers) and planning authorities. He has recently been involved in major planning inquiries concerning residential schemes in England and advising private clients on strategic planning in the context of emerging local plans and infrastructure projects. Tom is regularly instructed in relation to major proposals concerning heritage assets and large scale commercial developments. He has a wealth of experience of large scale renewable energy proposals and of promoting and resisting development proposals in countryside areas of outstanding natural beauty, national parks and the green belt. Tom regularly appears in the higher courts. Editor and co-author of Cornerstone on the Planning Court.

Victoria Osler

Property, Social Housing, Public Law

Wayne Beglan

Administrative law; planning; local government; regulatory law; social housing

Zoë Whittington

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