Mark's practice covers all aspects of chamber's expertise and, in particular, planning and environmental law, major infrastructure projects, compulsory purchase and judicial review and statutory challenge.
Mark acts on behalf of the developers, the Government, local planning authorities and third parties. He advises and represents his clients at all stages of the process from strategic advice at the inception of a project to appearing at planning inquiries and in the High Court or Court of Appeal.
Mark has particular expertise and experience in dealing with nationally significant infrastructure projects and other major strategic developments such waste management facilities, electricity generation stations and grid infrastructure, sustainable urban extensions, large housing schemes and transport projects.
Mark has consistently been ranked as a top planning junior by Planning magazine's annual survey of barristers.
Mark is appointed to the Attorney General's A Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown.
Prior to being called to the Bar, Mark worked in the City as a corporate financier.
London Bar
Mark Westmoreland Smith KC – Francis Taylor Building ‘Mark is a calm and assured presence in court, always completely on top of his brief and trusted by the court. He has built up a formidable practice and reputation by dint of these qualities combined with an impressive capacity for work. He is thoroughly commercial and pragmatic in his outlook, and displays an astute understanding of what matters from the client's perspective.’