Chambers of Charlie Cory-Wright KC and Richard Harwood KC
39 Essex Chambers is a ‘premier set’ for planning matters, demonstrating a ‘variety of seniority and a breadth of knowledge’. Its members display ‘real strength in depth across the board’, advising on rural development, urban regeneration, housing development and community infrastructure, as well as attending local plan examinations and appearing at both large and small-scale planning inquiries. The set has broad expertise across the transport sector from roads, airports and seaports to railways, tramways and bus ways, and various members, including Richard Wald KC, James Strachan KC and Jonathan Darby continue to be involved in the HS2 railway project. Strachan KC is also acting for Luton Airport on its expansion, leading Victoria Hutton, and with John Steel KC representing Luton Borough Council. Richard Harwood OBE KC appeared in the Supreme Court, acting in Swindon BC v SSHCLG, a leading case on the meaning of highway, the scope of planning conditions and the interpretation of a planning permission. Christiaan Zwart successfully promoted the development of The Brick Veil Mosque in Preston over a two week inquiry; the application for planning permission was called-in by the Secretary of State as it raised National Policy, listed building and neighbourhood plan issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Elliott Hurrell offers great clerking skills and is very amenable dealing with enquiries. The team of clerks are prompt and attentive and nothing is too much trouble.'
- 'Elliott Hurrell and Andy Poyser are top class. Charlie Quant is a rising star.'
- 'The service provided by Chambers and the clerks room is very good. Our instructions are usually placed through Elliott Hurrell and Oliver York, both of whom deal with matters effectively and efficiently.'
- 'Andy Poyser is a delight to work with - knowledgeable, friendly and a head and shoulders above any other clerk in London.'
- 'At all levels the clerks are fantastic. Andy Poyser is a well-known name in the planning world and excellent ambassador for the chambers.'
- '39 is a premier set for planning and environmental law. It has a range of heavy hitters. Its clerking team is exceptional.'
- '39 Essex is an excellent set for planning, environmental and public law, with a promising new development in real property.'
- '39 Essex is a great set to work with. There's a variety of seniority and a breadth of knowledge.'
- 'One of the top three planning sets in the country (if not the best), with remarkable strength in depth.'
- '39 Essex is a very strong set for planning work, and I have worked with their barristers for over a decade. They are market leaders in the field and have real strength in depth across the board.'
Silks
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Juniors
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
‘Jonathan is brilliant in his delivery and examination in inquiry, whilst maintaining a very approachable and down-to-earth manner with his instructing legal officer and clients. His ability to put himself into the local authority’s shoes and see a way forward is second-to-none.’
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
‘Jonathan is brilliant in his delivery and examination in inquiry, whilst maintaining a very approachable and down-to-earth manner with his instructing legal officer and clients. His ability to put himself into the local authority’s shoes and see a way forward is second-to-none.’