3Hall of fameCornerstone Barristers
‘Michael thoroughly prepares for meetings and is authoritative and clear with clients. He takes in a great deal of detailed information quickly and provides pragmatic advice. He is a highly effective advocate.’
Cornerstone Barristers
With ‘strong barristers at every level of experience’, Cornerstone Barristers is involved in ‘very high-profile planning challenges’, handling cases from the inquiry stage up to the Supreme Court. The set’s ‘real expertise in planning law’, complemented by its proficiency in public law, property, energy, and local government law, makes it a ‘growing force in planning’. Compulsory purchase and compensation cases is another area of expertise for the chambers. Thomas Cosgrove KC, leading Ruchi Parekh, successfully overturned a High Court decision on behalf of Mid Suffolk District Council in R (Thurston Parish Council) v Mid Suffolk DC and Bloor Homes, a significant Court of Appeal case within the planning arena on the distinction between interpretation and and application of planning policy. Several members have been involved in the Sunnica Energy Farm nationally significant infrastructure project; Michael Bedford KC appeared in the development consent order examination on behalf of Suffolk County Council, with Edward Grant and Parekh representing West Suffolk Council at the ongoing hearings. Harriet Townsend led for the local authority in R (Finch, on behalf of the Weald Action Group) v Surrey CC, arguing that, when considering an application for the commercial extraction of oil, it is not necessary to conduct an assessment of the emissions and climate impact of any subsequently manufactured products, as any such impact would not be an effect of development.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are always very responsive. I have dealt with George Reagan a lot. He is always very quick to respond, follows up on queries and is a pleasure to work with.'
- 'Daniel Gatt is great, professional, extremely likeable, helpful and organised. All his team have consistently provided a high quality of service. Daniel always does his utmost to match counsel to the matter and to free up availability if at all possible.'
- 'I think very highly of the clerks. I deal mainly with Daniel Gatt, Elliott Langdorf and Chelsea Thomas. They are all really helpful as well as friendly. This is one of the reasons why I use this set of chambers.'
- 'Elliot Langdorf and Daniel Gatt stand out. Always willing to assist and give a choice of available counsel.'
- 'Daniel Gatt very personable and professional, will work diaries around and try to find the best fit if a particular barrister is not available.'
- 'Cornerstone is a strong set and has real expertise in planning law - I regularly attend their training seminars and have always found them informative, interesting and enjoyable.'
- 'The set is a growing force in planning. The turnover is increasing, and barristers are doing very high-profile planning challenges in the courts.'
- 'A superior set with strength and depth, providing an excellent service.'
- 'Cornerstone is a market leader in the provision of Counsel for local government and always offers an outstanding selection of barristers at all levels of call to assist with the wide variety of work this entails.'
- 'There are strong barristers at every level of experience and the recruitment at the bottom end has been superb. Cornerstone has an unrivalled planning law practice, with members appearing in some of the most high-profile inquiries and judicial reviews, all the way to the Supreme Court.'
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.
3
3Hall of fameCornerstone Barristers
‘Tom is an impressive advocate, with an eye for detail. He is excellent with clients.’
3Hall of fameCornerstone Barristers
'James has an unrivalled ability to tackle complex issues and get to the heart of the matter. In consultation, he asks the right questions, understands his client's perspective and gives clear and helpful advice. His written advices and pleadings are clear, succinct and persuasive. James is top drawer.'
3Hall of fameCornerstone Barristers
‘Richard is extremely knowledgeable and provides clear and practical advice to the client. At the hearing, Richard presents the case very clearly and his advocacy skills are particularly impressive.’
4
4Hall of fameCornerstone Barristers
‘Paul is efficient and well-organised throughout, on hand for conference calls and quick and efficient at commenting on matters when his advice and direction is needed. He is very efficient at commenting on draft hearings statements throughout.’
2022 Silks
Cornerstone Barristers
‘Estelle is superb; She often represents individuals and communities up against difficult odds and well-funded opponents and has an impressive record of success. Her advocacy is top-notch and she is a pleasure to work with.’
2024 Silks
Cornerstone Barristers
'Clear, compelling and personable advocacy with a clear strategy. He has an authentic voice and a forensic approach to cross-examination.'
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.
1Cornerstone Barristers
‘Wayne provides sound and clear advice and is always very clear about where there are merits to a case and what can and cannot be considered. He is very thorough in his work.’
2Cornerstone Barristers
‘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 council’s shoes and see a way forward is second-to-none.’
2Cornerstone Barristers
‘Ed is an astute and skillful advocate who is able to marshal a team and direct a case, focusing on the main issues and avoiding wasted avenues. He is amenable and good with clients as well as professional and focused before inspectors and able to skillfully cross examine his opponent's witnesses. He is particularly good with complex cases including enforcement and distilling the best avenues for the team to explore.’
2Cornerstone Barristers
‘Robin is quietly effective, very diligent, measured, thoughtful and conscientious. He acts very effectively as junior, interacting really well with the client. He is preparation is very thorough and his advocacy clear, confident and well pitched. He is very able when dealing with his instructing solicitors and clients.’
2Cornerstone Barristers
‘Harriet is always prompt, organised and professional. Her advocacy is calm and well-structured, always confident that she is well-prepared and that she will deal with matters as they arise.’
2Cornerstone Barristers
‘Robert has excellent attention to detail, a very committed service to clients and a hugely supportive approach with expert witnesses, particularly those lacking in experience. Robert has a great sense of humour balanced with professional execution of of his advocacy in inquiry.
3Cornerstone Barristers
‘She acts in the best interests of her clients, is approachable and friendly, knowledgeable, consistent and delivers a very high standard of service. She is hardworking and competent, reliable, respectful to the inspector and court. Her advocacy is clear and concise, extremely persuasive, polite and courteous, respectful and takes witnesses down rabbit holes without them realising it.’
3Cornerstone Barristers
‘Ruchi is extremely busy and works in some of the most high-profile cases in the country. Her ability to understand and communicate complex ideas is unrivalled.’
3Cornerstone Barristers
‘Jack holds his own way beyond his seniority. He has a composure and assuredness that instils confidence in judges and inspectors and is quite unshakable even in the face of challenge. He is well-prepared, sensible, straight forward and constructive in his dealings with opponents. Even though he is an excellent lawyer and advocate, it is his personal qualities that stand out and set him apart – unflappable, measured, constructive, settled and confident. Just what every client looks for.’
4Cornerstone Barristers
‘Emma is very clear and thoughtful testing of evidence in cross-examination and very personable in style, providing challenge and reassurance on the case being prepared.’
4Cornerstone Barristers
‘Ben is extremely calm under pressure. His advocacy is excellent because he is clear and articulate. He is also very approachable and easy to get on with generally. He is able to absorb a large amount of complex documentation in a very short amount of time and give excellent written advice. Ben's paperwork is succinct and comprehensive.��
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.
1Cornerstone Barristers
‘Wayne provides sound and clear advice and is always very clear about where there are merits to a case and what can and cannot be considered. He is very thorough in his work.’
2Cornerstone Barristers
‘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 council’s shoes and see a way forward is second-to-none.’
2Cornerstone Barristers
‘Ed is an astute and skillful advocate who is able to marshal a team and direct a case, focusing on the main issues and avoiding wasted avenues. He is amenable and good with clients as well as professional and focused before inspectors and able to skillfully cross examine his opponent's witnesses. He is particularly good with complex cases including enforcement and distilling the best avenues for the team to explore.’
2Cornerstone Barristers
‘Robin is quietly effective, very diligent, measured, thoughtful and conscientious. He acts very effectively as junior, interacting really well with the client. He is preparation is very thorough and his advocacy clear, confident and well pitched. He is very able when dealing with his instructing solicitors and clients.’
2Cornerstone Barristers
‘Harriet is always prompt, organised and professional. Her advocacy is calm and well-structured, always confident that she is well-prepared and that she will deal with matters as they arise.’
2Cornerstone Barristers
‘Robert has excellent attention to detail, a very committed service to clients and a hugely supportive approach with expert witnesses, particularly those lacking in experience. Robert has a great sense of humour balanced with professional execution of of his advocacy in inquiry.
3Cornerstone Barristers
‘She acts in the best interests of her clients, is approachable and friendly, knowledgeable, consistent and delivers a very high standard of service. She is hardworking and competent, reliable, respectful to the inspector and court. Her advocacy is clear and concise, extremely persuasive, polite and courteous, respectful and takes witnesses down rabbit holes without them realising it.’
3Cornerstone Barristers
‘Ruchi is extremely busy and works in some of the most high-profile cases in the country. Her ability to understand and communicate complex ideas is unrivalled.’
3Cornerstone Barristers
‘Jack holds his own way beyond his seniority. He has a composure and assuredness that instils confidence in judges and inspectors and is quite unshakable even in the face of challenge. He is well-prepared, sensible, straight forward and constructive in his dealings with opponents. Even though he is an excellent lawyer and advocate, it is his personal qualities that stand out and set him apart – unflappable, measured, constructive, settled and confident. Just what every client looks for.’
4Cornerstone Barristers
‘Emma is very clear and thoughtful testing of evidence in cross-examination and very personable in style, providing challenge and reassurance on the case being prepared.’
4Cornerstone Barristers
‘Ben is extremely calm under pressure. His advocacy is excellent because he is clear and articulate. He is also very approachable and easy to get on with generally. He is able to absorb a large amount of complex documentation in a very short amount of time and give excellent written advice. Ben's paperwork is succinct and comprehensive.‘