Ranking tables
Planning | UK
London (Firms)
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
Band 3
Band 4
Senior Statespeople
- Brian Greenwood Clyde & Co LLP27 Years Ranked
- Simon RickettsTown Legal LLP
Eminent Practitioners
- Clare FieldingTown Legal LLP
Star Individuals
Band 1
- Claire Dutch Ashurst19 Years Ranked
- Robbie Owen Pinsent Masons27 Years Ranked
- Tim Hellier Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP26 Years Ranked
- Tim Smith Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP24 Years Ranked
- Trevor Goode Ashurst20 Years Ranked
- Duncan FieldTown Legal LLP
- Michael GallimoreTown Legal LLP
Band 2
- Angus Walker BDB Pitmans LLP10 Years Ranked
- Anita Rivera Mishcon de Reya LLP11 Years Ranked
- Ashley Damiral CMS12 Years Ranked
- Catherine Howard Herbert Smith Freehills12 Years Ranked
- Iain Gilbey Pinsent Masons LLP25 Years Ranked
- Ian Ginbey Clyde & Co LLP21 Years Ranked
- Martin Evans CMS27 Years Ranked
- Nigel Howorth Clifford Chance LLP21 Years Ranked
- Richard Ford Pinsent Masons20 Years Ranked
- Roy Pinnock Dentons12 Years Ranked
- Vicky Fowler Gowling WLG (UK) LLP14 Years Ranked
Band 3
- Alistair Watson Taylor Wessing LLP13 Years Ranked
- Christian Drage Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP16 Years Ranked
- Claire Fallows Charles Russell Speechlys20 Years Ranked
- Hannah Quarterman Hogan Lovells8 Years Ranked
- James Good Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP20 Years Ranked
- Joshua Risso-Gill CMS13 Years Ranked
- Karen Phull Farrer & Co LLP11 Years Ranked
- Marnix Elsenaar Addleshaw Goddard LLP19 Years Ranked
- Mary CookTown Legal LLP
- Richard MaxRichard Max & Co
- Stuart AndrewsEversheds Sutherland
Band 4
- Daniel Drukarz Asserson Law Offices24 Years Ranked
- Daniel Farrand Mishcon de Reya LLP12 Years Ranked
- Gareth Phillips Pinsent Masons18 Years Ranked
- Gary Sector Addleshaw Goddard LLP16 Years Ranked
- Karen Howard Gateley Legal24 Years Ranked
- Mark Challis BDB Pitmans LLP20 Years Ranked
- Richard Griffiths Pinsent Masons14 Years Ranked
- Robert Bruce Freeths LLP6 Years Ranked
- Victoria du Croz Forsters12 Years Ranked
- Meeta KaurTown Legal LLP
- Stephen WebbBrecher LLP
Band 5
- Ben Stansfield Gowling WLG (UK) LLP16 Years Ranked
- Bernadette Hillman Sharpe Pritchard LLP8 Years Ranked
- Christopher Stanwell Fieldfisher6 Years Ranked
- Giles Pink Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP10 Years Ranked
- John Baird Osborne Clarke LLP8 Years Ranked
- John Bosworth Maples Teesdale LLP24 Years Ranked
- Lindsay Garratt Winckworth Sherwood8 Years Ranked
- Michele Vas Dentons11 Years Ranked
- Sara Hanrahan Blake Morgan12 Years Ranked
- Sarah Clark BDB Pitmans LLP8 Years Ranked
- Sarah Fitzpatrick Norton Rose Fulbright1 Years Ranked
- Tom Henderson BDB Pitmans LLP3 Years Ranked
- Louise SamuelTown Legal LLP
- Raj GuptaTown Legal LLP
Band 6
- Alex Ground Russell-Cooke8 Years Ranked
- Howard J L Bassford DLA Piper LLP14 Years Ranked
- Jacqueline A Backhaus Trowers & Hamlins LLP6 Years Ranked
- Jade Chalmers Howard Kennedy LLP1 Years Ranked
- Jamie Lockerbie Pinsent Masons1 Years Ranked
- Nicholle Kingsley Pinsent Masons6 Years Ranked
- Yohanna Weber Keystone Law1 Years Ranked
- David WarmanRichard Max & Co
- Wesley FongenieBrecher LLP
Up and Coming
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLPPlanning2025 | Band 1 | 22 Years RankedBryan Cave Leighton Paisner has one of the best-resourced planning teams in the country. The firm guides a broad portfolio of projects through all stages of the planning process, from preliminary advice to High Court challenges. The team is frequently engaged on high-profile and complex matters, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and large residential-led developments. It also continues to act for infrastructure developers on projects in and around London.1 Herbert Smith FreehillsPlanning2025 | Band 1 | 22 Years RankedHerbert Smith Freehills is an established commercial development outfit that is also capable of handling substantial energy and infrastructure projects. The team holds a strong record across a range of sectors and project types including tall buildings and mixed-use developments. The firm often acts for private sector developers and continues to be involved with various matters at public inquiry.1 Pinsent MasonsPlanning2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years RankedPinsent Masons has a firmly established team, fielding a broad range of planning law experts. Major areas of focus include energy and infrastructure, such as nuclear and renewable energy facilities, as well as high-value residential and commercial projects. It acts for property developers and infrastructure providers, as well as local authorities.
Band 2
2 AshurstPlanning2025 | Band 2 | 22 Years RankedAshurst has a celebrated practice, advising on the full spectrum of planning law. The team's areas of expertise include compulsory purchase orders and compensation claims, major mixed-use and residential projects, and high-value office developments. The team is supported by the firm's environment practice, enabling practitioners to assist clients at the intersection of planning and environmental matters.2 BDB Pitmans LLPPlanning2025 | Band 2 | 23 Years RankedBDB Pitmans has an infrastructure-focused outfit specialising in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. The team often handles large-scale projects in the energy and transport sectors and regularly advises on Development Consent Orders, as well as mainstream planning applications. The firm acts for a diverse range of clients, including TfL, London Luton Aiport and various local authorities.2 CMSPlanning2025 | Band 2 | 25 Years RankedCMS has a strong energy and infrastructure offering, as well as regularly engaging in residential and commercial development, assisting such high-profile clients as the All England Tennis Club and the National Grid. It is particularly adept at advising on urban regeneration schemes and London area developments.
Band 3
3 Clyde & Co LLPPlanning2025 | Band 3 | 13 Years RankedClyde & Co has a highly respected planning team active in a range of industrial and infrastructure schemes. It offers expertise in both contentious and non-contentious matters, promoting complex developments through judicial review, public inquiries and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project examinations. The team frequently advises clients on leisure, commercial and residential projects.3 DentonsPlanning2025 | Band 3 | 22 Years RankedDentons assists public and private sector clients with a range of planning matters, including Community Infrastructure Levy and compulsory purchase order matters. The team is frequently instructed by private developers and local authorities to advise on large-scale housing projects. It is also experienced in handling high-value regeneration schemes and major retail developments.3 Gowling WLG (UK) LLPPlanning2025 | Band 3 | 22 Years RankedGowling WLG's planning team has an impressive client list that includes local authorities and a number of large developers. It is well-versed in compulsory purchase, and regularly advises on a range of issues related to development schemes. The team also handles contentious planning matters, including appeals, litigation and judicial review work.3 Mishcon de Reya LLPPlanning2025 | Band 3 | 11 Years RankedMishcon de Reya's planning practice is adept at handling contested planning applications and other litigation. The team also routinely advises high net worth clients on residential development, including conversions and listed buildings. It is further noted for frequent instruction on high-value development projects.
Band 4
4 Addleshaw Goddard LLPPlanning2025 | Band 4 | 22 Years RankedAddleshaw Goddard's planning team handles a range of planning matters, acting for Aviva, Birmingham Airport and other prominent clients in the energy, transport and housing sectors. It is regularly engaged to advise on prominent infrastructure projects and significant Section 106 agreements, and also offers extensive experience handling residential development projects.4 Clifford Chance LLPPlanning2025 | Band 4 | 22 Years RankedClifford Chance is active on sizeable development schemes as well as a number of infrastructure projects, including those in the energy and transport sector. The team takes on compulsory purchase matters, complex planning applications and consenting issues.4 Hogan LovellsPlanning2025 | Band 4 | 22 Years RankedHogan Lovells' practice is known for advising on some of the largest and most notable planning cases in the market. The team is frequently engaged in big-ticket infrastructure, regeneration and urban extension projects. It also provides high-quality advice on complex, large-scale residential developlments.
Band 5
5 Charles Russell SpeechlysPlanning2025 | Band 5 | 13 Years RankedCharles Russell Speechlys is frequently instructed by developers and other household names to advise on redevelopment and regeneration projects. The team offers expertise in advising on a variety of matters, including planning applications, planning agreements and Environmental Impact Assessments. It is noted in particular for its strength in negotiating Section 106 agreements.5 Farrer & Co LLPPlanning2025 | Band 5 | 5 Years RankedFarrer & Co's planning team frequently advises on the full range of legal aspects relating to ambitious urban development and community mixed-use projects. Landed estates, high net worth individuals and overseas investors also instruct the firm to assist with planning issues. Judicial reviews are a strong suit of the team's contentious practice.5 ForstersPlanning2025 | Band 5 | 20 Years RankedForsters' planning team is best known for its work on regeneration projects in London and the surrounding conurbation, as well as handling residential and commercial development. Its clients include major developers, institutional investors and local authorities.5 Freeths LLPPlanning2025 | Band 5 | 3 Years RankedFreeths frequently acts for local authorities, developers and commercial property owners, particularly in relation to Development Consent Orders and planning agreements. The team also has experience in public inquiries and judicial reviews, demonstrating its ability to handle contentious matters.5 Sharpe Pritchard LLPPlanning2025 | Band 5 | 9 Years RankedSharpe Pritchard handles the full range of planning advice, acting regularly for local authorities, councils and developers, in London and elsewhere in the UK. It assists with infrastructure and residential projects and has a particular specialism in judicial reviews.5 Taylor Wessing LLPPlanning2025 | Band 5 | 15 Years RankedTaylor Wessing has a compact team that advises clients on a range of planning matters in the residential and commercial property spheres. Regularly assists organisations with planning matters relating to real estate acquisitions and logistics deals. It has particular experience in advising on sports facility redevelopments.5 Trowers & Hamlins LLPPlanning2025 | Band 5 | 3 Years RankedTrowers & Hamlins advises on the full range of issues relating to commercial and residential development work, assisting with planning strategy, negotiating contracts and the application process. Its clients are often local authorities and public institutions, as well as private developers and investors, based in the UK and further afield.5 Winckworth SherwoodPlanning2025 | Band 5 | 15 Years RankedWinckworth Sherwood maintains a strong private residential development practice, with expertise in urban extensions, tall buildings and highway schemes. The firm routinely works with local authorities, and offers notable expertise in planning strategies and related litigation and appeals.