A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP is a strong choice for planning and environmental clients seeking assistance with contentious work. Micaela Diver heads the practice and leads the most significant matters. Diver, a well-regarded litigator, is well versed in working on judicial reviews and court of appeal challenges for planning applications. At the associate level, Deirdre ST John and Stephen Geoghan provide support on many key matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'A&L Goodbody are incredibly knowledgeable on planning challenges. Their advice is accurate, timely, and dependable. We know, when we instruct them to represent us, that everything will be handled in the best possible way.'
- 'Martha Campbell is excellent. She knows her stuff, gives great advice and is just excellent to deal with as a client. Really impressed.'
- 'Extremely accessible, knowledgeable, quick to respond and provide very clear advice.'
- 'They're incredibly knowledgeable on planning challenges, accurate advice provided, timely, dependable. A very safe pair of hands for us.'
- 'Martha Campbell is excellent. She knows her stuff, gives great advice and is just excellent to deal with as a client. Really impressed.'
- 'This practice is uniquely commercial in its approach, integrating an appreciation for business needs with expertise in the planning, energy and environmental field.'
- 'Micaela Diver has a particularly acute commercial sense, and a keen appreciation of the need to deliver on behalf of commercial clients.'
Key clients
- ASDA
- Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
- Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
- Northern Ireland Water
- Scottish Power Renewables Ltd
- Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council – Environmental Legal Services Multi-Year Framework
- Department for Education – FE Framework Agreement for the Provision of Legal Services to FE Sector
- Irish Football Association Stadium Development Company
- Benmore Octopus
Work highlights
- Represented ASDA in Judicial Review and Court of Appeal challenges, advising on its planning application for a £17.5 million proposed superstore in Northern Ireland.
- Advised Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council in relation to the grant of planning permission for a £45 million educational campus development in Craigavon and the subsequent Judicial Review challenging the grant of that permission.
- Instructed by Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council on a range of complex planning matters which frequently require a mixture of detailed advice on both the legislation and governance of the planning committees within the borough.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Micaela Diver