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Index of tables

  1. Planning – Leading Sets
  2. Planning – Leading Silks
  3. Planning – New Silks
  4. Planning – Leading Juniors

Planning – Leading Silks

Planning – Leading Juniors

With ‘excellent business acumen, strength in depth and many of the sharpest minds at the planning bar’, Landmark Chamberscontinues to have a stellar set’. Christopher Katkowski QCcombines a razor-sharp intellect with an ability to easily distil the key points from any set of facts no matter how complex’. David Elvin QCprovides clear and decisive advice’, and William Hicks QC has ‘an amazing attention to detail and a willingness to grapple with complicated technical issues’. Rhodri Price Lewis QC is ‘a first-class barrister, very bright, and always impeccably prepared. He is also utterly charming and attuned to clients’ objectives’. James Maurici was junior counsel to the Secretary of State in the judicial review regarding the decision to abolish the previous government’s regional strategies. Christopher Boyle is ‘able to cut through all the material and politics to deliver advice which is both incisive and commercial. His analysis is sharp; he looks for creative solutions and is alive to the need for them to have practical effect’. Scott Lynesshas an excellent instinct for what is important and what is not, yet he puts professional teams at ease and gets the best out of them’.

FTB is ‘a very strong set with great strength in depth’, and ‘an excellent clerking team’. The highly regarded Michael Humphries QC is ‘incredibly bright, a very clear and precise advocate and very “hands on” in teamwork’. Charles George QC appeared at the Supreme Court in Lewis v Redcar and Morge v Hampshire CC. Andrew Tait QCexudes calm confidence. An extremely able advocate – well prepared, and his almost laid-back style is very well suited to the public inquiry format’. Andrew Newcombe QC is ‘crisp in delivery, focuses on the key issues and does not beat around the bush. He commands respect as an advocate’. A ‘technically excellent, extremely composed advocate’, James Pereira provides ‘attention to detail, a courteous and immediate response, and accurate, concise and commercial advice’. ‘Undoubtedly a rising star’, Hereward Phillpot is ‘one of the “new breed” of barristers who are down-to-earth, extremely bright and likeable’. ‘Clearly authoritative’, Robert Fookesgrasps complicated planning issues effortlessly’.

2-3 Gray’s Inn Square has ‘excellent clerking’, which is ‘flexible and commercially minded’. James Findlay QC is ‘very approachable whilst being tactically assertive and realistic as to outcomes’. Reputed for his expertise in highways law, Stephen Sauvain QC’s ‘unassuming style belies a keen intellect that is highly effective, particularly in court’. Morag Ellis QC is ‘an extremely astute barrister with incredible intellectual capacity’. Mary Cook is noted for her ‘no-nonsense approach (she is never afraid to tell it like it is), superb attention to detail and hard work’. ‘One to watch’, Paul Shadareviancan think laterally about complicated issues. He is good at leading a team and a complicated project’. Michael Druce is ‘a formidable advocate and strong in cross-examination’.

Commercial and with good strength in depth’, 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square’s ‘first-rateTimothy Corner QCtakes ownership of issues in a case and leads a team’. John Steel QC is ‘able to think outside the box and come up with approaches to tackle novel and unusual issues’. Robert Griffiths QC is ‘an outstanding advocate. His core strength is in dissecting the other side’s evidence and seeking to deliver the client’s case in the best light’. New silk Paul Stinchcombe QCgives the impression of constantly thinking of the next solution’. Alexander Goodman is ‘calm and unflappable in all situations, and works like a Trojan’. Andrew Tabachnik is ‘forensic in his approach and analysis, but very carefully works as a team to progress matters and consider alternatives and effects’. Andrew Fraser-Urquhart is ‘tough but fair in cross-examination’.

At Thirty Nine Essex Street, ‘planning star of the setRichard Harwood is ‘always at the cutting edge, invariably having insights on changes to the law before others, and is a team player, with a down-to-earth approach’. Both Harwood and Gordon Nardell QC (who is ‘unpretentious and gives reliable advice’) appeared in Friends of Hethel v South Norfolk Council at appeal. Matthew Horton QC’s ‘preparation is meticulous, his intellectual qualities are immense, and his advocacy presentation is top rate. He is highly effective in cross-examination’. Richard Wald is ‘both approachable and extremely capable. In cross-examination, he is able to find the killer punch but also knows when to let an issue be’.

6 Pump Court’s planning set ‘offers the personal service of a smaller set whilst offering the breadth of expertise of one of the larger sets’. The clerks are ‘top notch and great to deal with’. Peter Harrison QC often represents local authorities in controversial cases and is ‘a tenacious, persuasive advocate who delivers the outcome sought but is always mindful of sensitivities’. Mark Beard handles town and country planning and is ‘a good cross-examiner: very fair but very thorough’. Megan Thomas’ strength is her ‘ability to evaluate complex issues and formulate practical solutions with speedy precision. On her feet, she is a determined and formidable opponent’. Edward Grant has ‘a tenacious, “never say die” attitude, with meticulous attention to detail and an ability to think outside the box whilst under pressure’.

No5 Chambers is highly regarded. The ‘formidableMartin Kingston QC continues to represent clients promoting large-scale development proposals, and the highly rated Ian Dove QC has experience in areas including development plan inquiries.

Garden Court Chambers’ planning set specialises in representing travellers in seeking planning permission and challenging enforcement actions. Marc Willers ‘displays immense planning knowledge as well as practical input. He has the skill to defuse areas of conflict and point the way forward for settlement. David Watkinson is ‘an outstanding barrister with an excellent understanding of the law, and provides quality advice’.

Wilberforce ChambersJonathan Karas QC and the ‘first-rateMichael Barnes QC have appeared in leading planning law cases.

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