Jonathan Clay > Cornerstone Barristers > London, England > Barrister Profile
Cornerstone Barristers Offices
2-3 GRAY'S INN SQUARE
LONDON
WC1R 5JH
England
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Jonathan Clay
Work Department
Planning; environment; judicial review.
Position
Jonathan’s practice covers all aspects of planning and environmental control, housing, renewable energy, large-scale infrastructure projects and village greens, as well as housing, commercial and retail development schemes.
Jonathan has been shortlisted for the Planning and Land Use Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2023.
His practice involves appearances in the High Court and Court of Appeal and at major public inquiries. Recent cases include: Suffolk Coastal v Hopkins Homes [2017] (SC) on the meaning of the NPPF, NHS Properties v Surrey CC [2018] (CA) on village greens and statutory incompatibility (awaiting permission to appeal to the SC).
Major development projects include: Amex Stadium, Brighton, where he represented Brighton and Hove Albion F.C. at inquiry and in the courts and, more recently, a scheme for the major regeneration of Bognor Regis where he acted for the successful appellant. His recent success in appeals at Eden Park housing development secured two planning permissions for major housing development on open land in Bromley. He works for both appellants and authorities in housing, commercial and industrial development appeals and has advised on content and soundness of local plans and on housing land supply issues and appeared at several local plan EIPs.
Career
Called 1990, Lincoln’s Inn. Taught physics in a London comprehensive school for four years before working in local government. His law degree was achieved working part time in the evenings and weekend while working full time. He decided to read for the Bar and practised in common law and crime initially; turning to planning and environmental work as his career progressed.
Languages
French.
Memberships
Planning and Environmental Bar Association(PEBA); Pro Bono Unit; UK Environmental Lawyers Association (UKELA); National Infrastructure Planning Association NIPA).
Education
University College Bangor, Wales (1978 BSc); Bath University (1980 PGCE); Polytechnic of Central London (1989 LLB Hons).
Leisure
Music; walking; good food; good company.
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Environment
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 4London Bar > Planning
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 2Jonathan Clay – Cornerstone 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.’