Planning

David Elvin KC specialises in judicial reviews involving planning, infrastructure and property. He represents public bodies and private clients in contentious and non-contentious administrative law matters. He is well known for his handling of public inquiries relating to planning and development.

"David remains one of, if not the best in the game."

"David has unmatched knowledge, is a brilliant advocate and his clients love working with him."

"David remains at the forefront of planning silks. He has huge knowledge, is a team player and is a superb advocate."

James Maurici KC is a respected advocate well equipped to act in a broad range of planning cases for property owners and public entities. The long list of areas in which he is experienced includes advising on environmental matters and state aid issues related to planning or compulsory purchase. His planning inquiry experience features a particular focus on large housing schemes.

"James is at the top of his game in complex matters. He provides clarity on the approach and is able to grasp even the smallest detail."

"James lives up to his well-deserved reputation. His advice is pragmatic and insightful."

"James is a fantastic barrister. He is great to work with and is an exceptional advocate."

Rupert Warren KC is widely regarded as a leading advocate in the planning field who has advised extensively on the writing of the NPPF. He continues to advise the government on high-profile planning matters and also acts for developers.

"Rupert provides strong, knowledgeable advice that is tactically proficient."

"Rupert is a top-notch silk who gives authoritative advice."

Russell Harris KC is a barrister with over 30 years of experience who handles major planning cases. He frequently acts on matters relating to significant regeneration schemes and is known for both his intellectual range and fierce advocacy. He is frequently involved in both large-scale infrastructure projects and cases associated with London skyscrapers.

"Russell is the leading KC for complex central London projects. He has a huge wealth of experience, a grasp of detail and is a formidable advocate."

"Russell's ability to cut through the detail and focus on the most important topics is a strength, giving clients confidence."

"Russell is one of the best planning barristers at the Bar. He's particularly strong on design and heritage issues."

Sasha White KC is an incredibly active silk who is frequently instructed on behalf of the largest names in retail and residential development. He garners high praise from his instructing solicitors for his strong advocacy at appeal and in judicial review. He is particularly noteworthy for his frequent appearances in public inquiries.

"Sasha is a leading planning KC. He provides insightful and valuable advice."

"Sasha is always a delight to work with. His friendly demeanour is underpinned by an intelligent approach to cases."

"Sasha is a powerhouse. He has superb commercial awareness and is an incredibly sophisticated advocate with impeccable client care."

Timothy Corner KC is a highly regarded planning silk with impressive expertise spanning local government, public and environmental law. He is known as a skilled source of guidance when it comes to compulsory purchase matters and frequently appears in public inquiries and appeals covering all types of development work.

"Tim is one of the big brains of the Bar. He has a very clear way of thinking and is very effective when presenting arguments."

"Tim remains the gold standard for careful advocacy and thoroughness."

"Tim is an excellent barrister who is able to calmly command the courtroom."

Zack Simons continues to go from strength to strength at the Planning Bar. He focuses on planning, compulsory purchase and environmental work and has appeared in leading cases on current contentious planning issues such as environmental impact and housing need. He represents landowners, central government, private developers and local authorities for all types of work in the field.

"Zack is a real star. He's a very senior junior with a strong practice. He has the potential to become one of the leading planning silks of the future."

"Zack is client-friendly and is a great team player. He is able to identify the key issues at play very quickly and delivers clear advice."

"Zack has great strategic instincts and is terrific to work with."

Ashley Bowes has notable experience at inquiry and has appeared in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal in planning cases of national significance, including those that have clarified government policy. His work has been impressively broad, from cases testing the interpretation of the Town and Country Act 1990 to appeals concerning the interaction between planning decisions and air quality regulations.

"Ashley does not mess with irrelevant matters. He has the case law and can interpret it. His advocacy skills are perfect."

"Ashley is extremely good and he's technically precise in his analysis of legal issues."

"Ashley is a formidable barrister. He's very articulate and is persuasive on his feet."

Daniel Kolinsky KC is an impressively experienced advocate who has handled a broad variety of cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal. He often acts on behalf of London authorities, as well as NGOs, developers and individual claimants. He is well versed in the complexities of affordable housing and major regeneration projects across London. He is further highly regarded for his work in all matters pertaining to ratings.

"Dan is of the utmost integrity, is really approachable and has razor-sharp intellect."

Heather Sargent is widely regarded as a rising star, with particular expertise in infrastructure, housing and compulsory purchase matters. Her practice includes high-level judicial review and statutory challenge work, and she has appeared as sole counsel before the Court of Appeal. She is a member of the Attorney General's B Panel and the Welsh Government's B Panel.

"Heather is great fun to work with. She provides a high level of service in a friendly approachable manner."

"Heather is able to get a good read of the room and respond accordingly when in an advocacy position ensuring the client's best interests are progressed."

"Heather is able to cut through complex issues and explain them simply for clients and is organised and efficient."

Neil Cameron KC comes highly recommended for his forensic and forthright style. His workload of planning and environmental cases has included compulsory purchase inquiries, local plan examinations and Transport and Works Act orders. He often represents local authorities.

"Neil provides practical, detailed and well thought-out advice. He has excellent knowledge of the law and seeks to ensure that decision-makers are provided with the necessary information."

"Neil is a top professional and provides diligent and complex advice on Town Planning matters."

"Neil is very client-friendly and a pleasure to work with. He is organised, meticulous and takes care to listen to all voices."

Paul Brown KC is a skilled High Court and Court of Appeal advocate who has served in a number of government advisory roles. His clients range from local authorities and environmental policy groups to private individuals.

"Paul is outstanding. He has an endearing charisma and explains things succinctly."

Stephen Morgan is a true planning specialist, extensively experienced in all aspects of the sector, from applications to enforcement and appeals, and he has a special interest in village greens, neighbourhood plans, challenges and judicial reviews. He has recently worked on both the local authority and developer sides of planning cases regarding sizeable residential developments.

"Stephen is highly accessible and great to work with. He's a real team player."

"Stephen inspires confidence with his detailed knowledge of this specialist area. He has a keen eye for detail and is very thorough."

"Stephen is always thorough and highly capable. No stone is ever left unturned."

David Forsdick KC has taken on a number of eye-catching planning cases in recent years, engaging with both housing and infrastructure matters of national importance and novel construction. He is frequently engaged by local authorities, interest groups and other public bodies on affordable housing schemes, urban extensions and planning applications with environmental law elements.

"David is a decent and fair advocate who can fight."

Reuben Taylor KC is a robust silk with a highly regarded High Court practice that sees him instructed in a number of high-profile cases. His areas of excellence include infrastructure matters, CPO and compensation work, and cases with a strong environmental flavour to them. He has niche expertise in dealing with noise, air quality, road traffic and other technical environmental concerns.

"Reuben has a first-class legal mind and is commercially astute."

"Reuben is excellent and extremely user-friendly."

Andrew Byass is well versed in handling planning and public law matters on behalf of government bodies at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, and at inquiry. His previous work has spanned the infrastructure, retail and residential domains, including planning enforcement actions.

"Andrew is great to work with. He is incredibly approachable, providing concise, commercially aware and usable advice."

"Andrew has the benefit of having had commercial experience, which gives a broader approach to his work."

"Andrew is an excellent performer in committee and brings strong and clear advice in conference."

Andrew Parkinson is highly adept at handling a wide range of planning disputes. He frequently acts for local authorities and developers, including in cases reaching the Supreme Court. His work has included sizeable infrastructure, telecommunications and residential developments.

"Andrew's sober and level-headed advice is greatly appreciated, and his advocacy is excellent."

"Andrew is a very competent and experienced senior junior."

"Andrew gives excellent, clear advice and represents clients well when instructed."

Anjoli Foster has a growing following at the London Planning Bar and is recognised for her expertise in a range of planning disputes concerning developments and infrastructure projects. Her clients include local authorities, developers and various interest groups.

"Anjoli is a brilliant up-and-coming barrister who provides sound advice."

"Anjoli is extremely bright and displays complete pragmatism when providing advice."

"Anjoli has an incredible ability to recall case law to support the argument and remember detail."

Christopher Boyle KC has a wealth of experience in town and country planning, including expertise in cases concerning environmental considerations, compulsory purchases and infrastructure projects. He primarily represents landowners, developers and promoters of large residential developments, regenerations and infrastructure schemes.

"Christopher is very good at strategy and is highly commercial."

"Christopher is a very persuasive advocate, both at inquiries and in the courts. He has a distinctive, unflappable style, and he's deadly in cross-examination."

Graeme Keen KC is highly experienced in planning law. He acts in cases relating to housing, urban development and renewable energy, among others. He is also frequently called upon to appear in compulsory purchase disputes and inquiries covering the full spectrum of planning law.

"Graeme is very measured and has a clear delivery of advice."

"Graeme has a super client manner and is patient with experts."

"Graeme is a superb advocate who gives calm and considered advice to the team."

Gwion Lewis KC continues to attract instructions to act in major public inquiries, judicial reviews and challenges to a diverse range of projects. He expertly handles regeneration and energy-related matters, among others, and is a regular feature in high-profile planning disputes in Wales.

"Gwion is very well regarded and is an effective advocate."

Jacqueline Lean maintains a highly diverse practice in planning, property, environment and public law, with increasing experience in the field of infrastructure. Her work ranges from compulsory purchase and compensation matters to statutory development plans and public inquiries.

"Jacqueline is extraordinarily dedicated and hard-working. She has a truly broad knowledge of infrastructure schemes and is always on top of her brief."

"Jacqueline remained resilient and not only delivered outstanding legal advice but was also cognisant of the client's commercial interests."

Jenny Wigley KC is a skilled planning barrister who regularly represents clients in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Her broad practice sees her act in a wide range of cases, from planning enforcement actions and judicial reviews of planning permissions to heritage matters.

"Jenny is an expert in her field. Her written and oral advocacy is brilliant."

"Jenny is extremely approachable, easy to work with and popular with her clients."

"Jenny is very responsive, pragmatic and effortless on her feet."

Robert Walton KC counsels and acts for a wide variety of clients in hearings and public inquiries, particularly those involving CPO and compensation matters. He has expertise in all areas of planning law, including enforcement notices, promotion or objections to development and policy, and the judicial review and challenges process regarding planning decisions.

"Robert is a great team player and practitioner."

"Robert is brilliant with clients and is superb on his feet. Advice is always turned around quickly and is to the point."

Sasha Blackmore is recognised for her expertise in both planning and environmental law. She has represented clients in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. She frequently acts in residential development planning cases, many of which involve complex environmental issues.

"Sasha is exceptional and is very thorough."

Scott Lyness KC has a fantastic reputation for his wide-ranging planning practice, acting for developers, planning authorities and other parties at all levels. He has experience with a variety of cases dealing with such matters as listed buildings, compulsory purchase and technical or environmental issues. He has acted on some of the most significant large-scale infrastructure and energy developments of recent years and is well regarded for his work on development proposals, examinations and inquiries.

"Scott is a brain box. He gets into the real nitty-gritty of the details and owns his advice."

"Scott's approachable style and ability to quickly get to grips with complex issues make him popular with clients."

"Scott is meticulous in his approach and is a great advocate."

Stephen Whale is widely regarded as an impressive advocate and represents local authorities, government and private clients across a range of planning law cases, including those relating to residential developments. He is the author of the Enforcement chapter of the Encyclopedia of Planning Law and Practice.

"Stephen is diplomatic and knows his stuff in planning."

Alex Goodman KC has an impressive track record of acting in planning matters at all levels of court including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He has vast expertise in planning challenges involving housing and education developments, as well as planning inquiries and judicial review-related matters. His practice is strengthened by extensive knowledge of related spaces such as environment law.

"Alex has a real niche in the overlap between migration rights and planning. He's a real expert here."

"Alex is very responsive and is a leading expert in the field of public open space."

Ben Fullbrook is an impressive junior with vast knowledge of an array of planning matters. He is regularly sought after by local authorities and has experience acting in appeals and matters related to judicial reviews. He has knowledge of NPPF and Green Belt policy, as well as Section 78 issues.

"Ben is really good. He's user-friendly and is reliable in court."

"Ben is great at managing clients' concerns. He's adaptable and is responsive."

"Ben is excellent. He's an experienced junior with a high level of client service and commercial awareness."

David Blundell KC is highly sought after to represent claimants, defendants and interveners in significant challenges to government legislation. He has particular strengths in planning, human rights and EU law. He has also been involved in high-profile public law disputes concerning transport, nuclear energy and environmental law.

"David has a very understated style and he generates a lot of respect."

Guy Williams KC is known for his ability to grasp the most complex elements of a case. He is seasoned in statutory challenges and compensation claims and is sought after for his CPO expertise, among other assets. He is a member of the Attorney General's A Panel and sits on the advisory panel to Transport for London.

"Guy has great approachability and attention to detail."

"Guy's attention to detail is extraordinary."

Hashi Mohamed is well versed in a wide range of planning matters. He has experience in planning permission appeals related to large-scale developments and he is praised for his advocacy skills.

"Hashi is unstoppable and keenly analytical."

Matthew Fraser is recognised for his expertise in planning, environmental and public law. He represents a wide range of clients, including local authorities, central government departments and private individuals, regularly appearing in the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

"Matthew is an extremely bright junior. He is responsive, is a very good draftsman and he's one to look out for."

"Matthew is an exceptional individual with good knowledge application and is personable as well."

"Matthew is very well liked. He's super charming and is a cool, calm and collected character."

Matthew Henderson is well versed in planning and environmental law on behalf of developers, local authorities andindividuals. His work includes matters in the High Court and Supreme Court and judicial reviews.

"Matthew is a pure planning lawyer. He brings intellectual firepower to his matters."

"Matthew is very good to work with. He is very well prepared and is a strong advocate."

Matthew Reed KC is a technically adept silk with expertise in large-scale commercial projects. He excels in a wide range of cases, including appeals at all levels, enforcement matters and the promotion of or objection to development in the residential, retail and industrial sectors. His work for both government bodies and private corporations has earned him an excellent profile in the market.

"Matthew is superb. He's entirely prepared, calm under pressure and has a rare ability to articulate complex issues clearly and get to the heart of the matter."

"Matthew is incisive and has a great determination to achieve the result."

"What really sets Matthew apart is his outstanding client service."

Melissa Murphy KC is an experienced new silk with a strong track record in a number of areas of planning law. She focuses her practice primarily on infrastructure and compulsory purchase cases but also handles residential schemes, heritage issues and public authority matters on both the local and parliamentary scales.

"Melissa is a very talented advocate who appears in groundbreaking cases."

Neil King KC is an experienced hand for both infrastructure and traditional planning cases. He is well versed in the minutiae of compulsory purchase, environmental and compensation law and appears frequently at inquiries, at tribunals and in the higher courts. He has worked in relation to highly significant projects in town centre regeneration and transport infrastructure.

Tim Buley KC has a broad public law practice that includes a wide range of planning matters, including CIL cases, village green matters and complex judicial reviews. He is best known for his strong representation of clients in the High Court.

"Tim has a good attention to detail and brings focused submissions."

"We've worked with Tim for decades and he always delivers."

Isabella Buono is an up-and-coming planning barrister with an impressively broad practice. She is frequently sought after to act in matters related to the interpretation of the National Planning Policy Framework, compulsory purchase orders and public inquiries related to large-scale planning permission matters.

"Isabella is absolutely excellent. Her written work is really impressive, as is her legal judgement. She also has a nice manner about her and clients are extremely impressed."

Nick Grant is a highly knowledgeable up-and-coming planning barrister. He has vast experience at all levels of court right up to the Supreme Court. He has been involved in numerous high-profile infrastructure and energy planning matters. He is also able to offer expertise on related areas such as Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitats regulations. He is appointed to the Attorney General's C panel.

"Nick is brilliant and goes above and beyond to assist the clients in putting the best case together."

"Nick is a fantastic barrister who makes a really valuable contribution to clients' cases. He is very astute and thorough."

Richard Moules KC is au fait with a wide range of planning areas, including CPOs, policymaking and enforcement, and he is a barrister with a specialism in highways and rights of way matters. He has lectured and published a number of works on planning law and regularly appears in the High Court representing developers, the government and community groups. He is also appointed to the Attorney General's A Panel.

"Richard is extremely intelligent and provides clear, precise advice that can be acted on."

"Richard is very approachable and easy to work with. He responds promptly and delivers digestible, succinct advice."

"Richard is exceptional. He has an innate ability to distil complex problems into simple solutions that clients can understand."

Richard Turney KC has gained a great reputation for his regular court and inquiry appearances tackling statutory challenges, judicial reviews and criminal or environmentally implicated planning cases. He also has a broad advisory practice and is well versed in infrastructure matters relating to a wide variety of sectors. He also works in cases relating to residential development.

"Richard is superb. He's very calm and is a real expert in Transport and Works Act orders."

"Richard is really approachable and is great at distilling complex issues down. He instils confidence."

"Richard is a brilliant legal brain and advocate. He is very courteous to work with."