Cornerstone Barristers

Information, planning, environment, public law

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.

John was called to the Bar in 2016 and is a member of Lincoln’s Inn. He is a recipient of the Inn’s Hardwicke Entrance Award, Lord Denning Scholarship, Buchanan prize and Hubert Greenland Scholarship.

John is a member of JUSTICE, UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA), the Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA), the Planning and Environment Bar Association (PEBA), and the Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA).

He is a member of Lincoln’s Inn and is a recipient of the Inn’s Hardwicke Entrance Award, Lord Denning Scholarship, Buchanan prize and Hubert Greenland Scholarship.

John sits as a non-executive director on the board of Innisfree Housing Association.

LLB Ling. Franc (Trinity College Dublin); BCL (University of Oxford, Worcester College); BPTC (City University).