Set Profile > Francis Taylor Building > London, England
Francis Taylor Building Offices
Francis Taylor Building
FRANCIS TAYLOR BUILDING, INNER TEMPLE
LONDON
EC4Y 7BY
England
Profiles
Francis Taylor Building > The Legal 500 Rankings
Environment Tier 1
Covering all aspects of environmental regulation and the crossover between environmental law and land use planning, as well as common law and criminal environmental liability, Francis Taylor Building handles matters for large corporates, developers, statutory regulators, environmental action groups and individuals. 'For this area of law, it is pre-eminent, with very good strength in depth,' remarks one client. 'Fantastic chambers, my "go-to" set for planning and compulsory purchase matters', says another who notes that the clerks are 'always helpful, polite and very responsive'. The vast majority of members practice environmental law, including Robert Mccracken QC, who acted for the applicants in Shirely v Secretary of State CLG, a key case regarding the government’s duties when making decisions likely to result in breaches of air quality limit values. Also of note, in Severnside Distribution Land Limited v South Gloucestershire Council, Ned Westaway handled a judicial review claim against a decision to grant hazardous substances consent for a liquefied petroleum gas site.
Leading Silks
2018 Silks
Leading Juniors
Licensing Tier 1
Francis Taylor Building 'is clearly the leading licensing set with some of the most famous names in the Industry. It has unrivalled depth in the licensing and regulatory field', according to one satisfied client. 'Top class' Gerald Gouriet QC has acted on high-profile cases in the taxi business in addition to acting on numerous cases involving licences in the entertainment/clubs fields. He acted for the council in Wigan Council v Revolution Bars Appeal on the refusal of a premises licence – the case was successfully concluded when the parties agreed on compromise conditions. With equally deep expertise, David Matthias QC has acted on a number of cases that have gone to appeal, including to the Supreme Court. Of late, he acted for the council in R (on the application of We Love Hackney Ltd) v London Borough of Hackney – a challenge by way of judicial review to the legality of Hackney’s new Licensing Policy by a local pressure group. Jeremy Philips QC handles a range of cases involving the licensing of entertainment venues of all types, taxi hire matters, and gambling including online. Of late he acted for Hackney LB in resisting the appeal by La Morna Jazz Lounge against the revocation of a late night bar licence. Gary Grant is in demand for both his expertise and 'brilliant' advocacy; he acted for Secret Group Ltd in obtaining a new premises licence for its secret cinema operation which attracted very substantial objections. The 'smooth advocacy and non-adversarial but firm' approach of James Rankin is also noted. His work includes representing West Midlands Police in the high-profile and heavily contested case concerning the eventual closure and revocation of the licence of the Arabian Nites Shisha Lounge.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Agriculture Tier 2
Agricultural expertise for members of Francis Taylor Building encompasses town and village greens, right of way, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and the Highways Act 1980. The set provides an ‘excellent service’ and is ‘always able to provide a suitably qualified and experienced barrister when required’, according to clients. In one instruction of note, Ned Westaway is currently acting in R (Lancashire CC) v SSEFRA, a Court of Appeal case concerning a challenge to the registration of a school field as a town or village green.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Planning Tier 2
'With both strength and depth', Francis Taylor Building has 'a comprehensive offer in the planning and infrastructure specialism'. The set includes numerous members of national and devolved government panels, and many instructions concern local plans. In infrastructure, Michael Humphries QC advises Horizon Nuclear Power on the planned construction of two new advanced boiling reactors reactors next to the decommissioned Magnox nuclear power plant at Wylfa, and Morag Ellis QC represented the Welsh Government in the inquiry concerning the proposed diversion of the M4 around Newport. Saira Kabir Sheikh QC represented Westminster City Council in its High Court case concerning New World Payphones' proposal to install advertising hoardings with telephone facilities under the General Permitted Development Order for telephone boxes. Elsewhere, Melissa Murphy represented the London Borough of Southwark in a planning inquiry concerning a proposal to acquire the notorious Aylesbury Estate by compulsory purchase. Also of note, Michael Fry returned to to the independent Bar from DLA Piper, where he was a senior associate (including secondments to HS2 Ltd).
Leading Silks
2018 Silks
Leading Juniors
Administrative and public law (including local government) Tier 4
Known for its planning expertise, Francis Taylor Building handles a range of work concerning local government, including business rates. Sarah Sackman represented a claimant from Braintree in a judicial review of the pilot of voter identification requirements in certain parts of England in the 2019 local elections.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Set overviews: England and Wales
One of the leading licensing sets, Francis Taylor Building has ‘some of the most famous names in the Industry’ and ‘unrivalled depth with a range of talents primarily skilled in representing licensing authorities, applicants, and objectors’. It is also a ‘fantastic’ chambers for environmental issues, including planning and compulsory purchase and complex issues of compensation. The clerks, led by senior clerk Paul Coveney and deputy senior clerk James Kemp, are ‘personable and understand the business realities in many of cases’. Solicitors consider them to be an ‘integral part’ of their team. Offices in: London
Francis Taylor Building > Firm Profile
Francis Taylor Building (FTB) has a long-standing reputation for excellence in providing advocacy and advisory services. FTB is consistently featured as a leading set in the independent legal directories for its expertise and leading role in planning, land valuation, infrastructure, environmental, public law, regulatory law and licensing. Its position at the forefront of these areas of law is evidenced by members consistently appearing in many of the leading cases.
The set: Members of chambers appear in courts at all levels in this country and abroad, including specialist tribunals and public inquiries and undertake specialist advisory work. The set owes its long-standing reputation for excellence to its wide range of clients, the major projects it handles and the number and quality of its practitioners. They are also supported by a highly motivated and professional team of clerks, led by Paul Coveney as senior clerk.
Types of work undertaken: As part of its specialist practice, FTB undertakes work connected with planning, environment, licensing, National Infrastructure Planning projects, transport and works schemes, utilities, highways, rating, heritage and conservation, Parliamentary bills, common land and village greens, minerals, statutory nuisance and regulation, health and safety, environmental crime, compulsory purchase and compensation, land valuation, property law including easements and covenants, religious liberty and ecclesiastical, education and energy.
FTB maintains a panel of qualified and specialist CEDR and ADR accredited mediators.
FTB offers a wide range of client facilities including a dedicated seminar suite to support its established programme of events and an arbitration and mediation suite which complements Chambersâ mediation and ADR expertise. The premises are fully DDA compliant.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Members of Chambers | TAIT QC, Andrew (1981) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BARTLETT QC, George (1966) ** A | ||
| Members of Chambers | ROOTS QC, Guy (1969) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PHILLIPS QC, Richard (1970) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SAUVAIN QC, Stephen (1995) | ||
| Members of Chambers | McCRACKEN QC, Robert (1973) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HUMPHRIES QC, Michael (1982) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GOURIET QC, Gerald (1974) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MATTHIAS QC, David (1980) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ELLIS QC, Morag (1984) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOWELL WILLIAMS QC, Craig (1983) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GLOVER QC, Richard (1984) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HILL QC, Mark (1987) (QC-2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BIRD QC, Simon (1987) | ||
| Members of Chambers | EDWARDS QC, Douglas (1992) | ||
| Members of Chambers | JONES QC, Gregory (1991) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ORNSBY QC, Suzanne (1986) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PEREIRA QC, James (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | KABIR SHEIKH QC, Saira (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FRASER-URQUHART QC, Andrew (1993) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PHILLPOT QC, Hereward (1997) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BOOTH QC, Alexander (2000) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PETCHEY, Philip (1976) | ||
| Members of Chambers | COMYN, Timothy (1980) | ||
| Members of Chambers | RANKIN, James (1983) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MEYRIC, Lewis (1986) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GRANT, Gary (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOLLAND, Charles (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CHARALAMBIDES, Leo (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PIKE, Jeremy (2001) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MURPHY, Melissa (2001) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LOPEZ, Juan (2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HONEY, Richard (2003) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PHILLIPS QC, Jeremy (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | JOLLIFFE, John (2005) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WESTMORELAND SMITH, Mark (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ELEFTHERIADIS, Dr Pavlos (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ORMONDROYD, Cain (2007) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GRAHAM PAUL, Annabel (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FLANAGAN, Hugh (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HALL, Stephanie (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SACKMAN, Sarah (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CLUTTEN, Rebecca (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WESTAWAY, Ned (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TAFUR, Isabella (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GRAHAM, David (2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FRY, Michael (2011) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MACKENZIE, George (2011) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GREAVES, Alexander (2012) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DALY, Caroline (2013) | ||
| Members of Chambers | STREETEN, Charles (2013) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FORREST, Charles (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GOLDEN, Merrow (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WALLER, Horatio (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | NOBLE, Daisy (2015) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MERRETT, Charles (2015) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PURCHAS QC, Robin (1968) |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Simon Bird QC | Simon specialises in planning, local government, administrative and environmental Law. He is… | View Profile |
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Alexander Booth QC | Alex Booth has a practice which encompasses all aspects of planning, infrastructure… | View Profile |
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Leo Charalambides | Complementing his established licensing practice, Leo also accepts instructions in associated areas… | View Profile |
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Rebecca Clutten | Rebecca Clutten was called to the Bar in 2008 and is currently… | View Profile |
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Timothy Comyn | The principal areas of Timothy Comyn’s practice include town and country planning,… | View Profile |
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Ms Caroline Daly | View Profile | |
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Douglas Edwards QC | Douglas Edwards QC practices in the fields of town and country planning,… | View Profile |
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Dr Pavlos Eleftheriadis | Advises and undertakes litigation work on all aspects of EU law, public… | View Profile |
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Morag Ellis QC | Morag Ellis QC is widely recognised as a leading expert in planning… | View Profile |
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Hugh Flanagan | Hugh specialises in public and planning law, including infrastructure, compulsory purchase, compensation… | View Profile |
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Charles Forrest | Charles welcomes instructions to advise and represent clients across all of Chambers’… | View Profile |
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Andrew Fraser-urquhart QC | . Andrew Fraser-Urquhart QC (known universally as “AFU”) practices in planning, environmental… | View Profile |
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Mr Michael Fry | View Profile | |
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Richard Glover QC | Richard Glover QC practices in all aspects of town and country planning,… | View Profile |
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Merrow Golden | View Profile | |
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Gerald Gouriet QC | Gerald’s licensing practice is principally in alcohol & entertainment, taxi and gambling… | View Profile |
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David Graham | Planning David’s practice takes in a variety of planning matters, for private… | View Profile |
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Annabel Graham Paul | Annabel has acted in a number of leading judicial reviews and planning… | View Profile |
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Gary Grant | Gary Grant is one of the UK’s leading licensing barristers. He is… | View Profile |
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Alexander Greaves | Since joining Chambers in 2014, Alexander has developed a busy specialist practice… | View Profile |
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Mark Hill QC | Specialist in ecclesiastical law, religious liberty, judicial review and costs. Recorder; Chancellor… | View Profile |
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Charles Holland | Charles has a busy and well-respected Chancery/commercial practice, with a particular emphasis… | View Profile |
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Richard Honey | Richard Honey practises in public and environmental law, with particular specialisms in… | View Profile |
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Craig Howell Williams QC | Craig Howell Williams QC specialises in planning, environment and related areas of… | View Profile |
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Michael Humphries QC | Michael Humphries specialises in all aspects of property development law, but is… | View Profile |
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John Jolliffe | John Jolliffe practises across a range of planning, environmental and public law. His… | View Profile |
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Emyr Jones | View Profile | |
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Gregory Jones QC | Gregory’s practice covers all aspects of administrative law including judicial review and… | View Profile |
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Saira Kabir Sheikh QC | Saira’s practice covers all aspects of planning and environmental law, local government,… | View Profile |
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Mr Meyric Lewis | A barrister specialising in all aspects of planning (including environmental assessment) and compulsory… | View Profile |
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Juan Lopez | Covering all aspects of infrastructure and planning (including all aspects of planning… | View Profile |
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George Mackenzie | Since joining Chambers in 2012 George has developed a busy specialist practice… | View Profile |
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Mr David Matthias QC | David Matthias Q.C. FCIArb was called in 1980, took Silk in October… | View Profile |
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Robert Mccracken QC | Robert McCracken QC is a leading public, planning and environmental lawyer. He… | View Profile |
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Charles Merrett | View Profile | |
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Melissa Murphy | Barrister specialising in planning and real estate matters. She has extensive experience… | View Profile |
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Daisy Noble | View Profile | |
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Cain Ormondroyd | Cain Ormondroyd practices in the fields of public and planning law, with… | View Profile |
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Suzanne Ornsby QC | Suzanne Ornsby QC is a highly proficient public, planning and environmental lawyer with… | View Profile |
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James Alexander Pereira QC | James Pereira Q.C. specialises in planning, environmental, local government and administrative law,… | View Profile |
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Jeremy Phillips QC | Jeremy Phillips QC offers the highest levels of expertise and advocacy as a barrister following,… | View Profile |
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Richard Phillips QC | Has wide experience in all spheres of planning, particularly in waste and… | View Profile |
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Hereward Phillpot QC | Hereward Phillpot QC took silk in 2015, and has rapidly become recognised… | View Profile |
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Jeremy Pike | Jeremy is consistently rated by ‘Planning Magazine’ survey as one of the… | View Profile |
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James Rankin | Preeminent licensing barrister James Rankin with thirty years’ experience in licensing and… | View Profile |
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Guy Roots QC | Guy Roots QC specialises in town and country planning, environment, compulsory purchase… | View Profile |
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Sarah Sackman | Sarah has a wide-ranging public law practice which spans Chambers’ core areas.… | View Profile |
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Charles Streeten | Charles Streeten has rapidly earned a reputation as one of the leading… | View Profile |
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Ms Isabella Tafur | Isabella is ranked as a leading junior at the Planning Bar in… | View Profile |
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Mr Andrew Tait QC | Andrew Tait QC is Head of Chambers. He is also Chairman of… | View Profile |
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Horatio Waller | Horatio is an experienced advocate. He has appeared on several occasions before… | View Profile |
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Mr Ned Westaway | Ned is instructed in a wide variety of work, in particular across… | View Profile |
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Ms Stephanie hall | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Paul Coveney, Senior Clerk : Andrew Briton, Principal Clerk Business Development and Research : James Kemp, Principal Clerk Team Leader : Tom Rook, Principal Clerk Team Leader : Harry Killick, Deputy Team Leader : Adam Collins, Joint Deputy Team Leader : Billy Brett, Joint Deputy Team Leader : Brandon Costa-Walsh, Team Assistant :Francis Taylor Building > Firm Profile
Francis Taylor Building (FTB) has a long standing reputation for excellence in providing advocacy and advisory services. FTB is consistently featured as a leading set in the independent legal directories for its expertise and leading role in planning, land valuation, compulsory purchase compensation, infrastructure, environmental, licensing, rating, local government, public law and regulatory law. Its position at the forefront of these areas of law is evidenced by members consistently appearing in many of the leading cases.
Members of chambers appear in courts at all levels in this country and abroad, including specialist tribunals and public inquiries and undertake specialist advisory work. The set owes its long-standing reputation for excellence to its wide range of clients, the major projects it handles and the number and quality of its practitioners. They are also supported by a highly motivated and Professional team of clerks led by Paul Coveney, Senior Clerk.
As part of its specialist practice, FTB undertakes works connected with planning, environment, licensing, major infrastructure projects, transport and works schemes, utilities, highways, rating heritage and conservation, Parliamentary Bills, common land and village greens, minerals, statutory nuisance and regulation, health and safety, environmental crime, compulsory purchase and compensation, land valuation, property law including easements and covenants, religious liberty and ecclesiastical, education and energy.
FTB maintains a panel of qualified and specialist CEDR and ADR accredited mediators.
FTB offers a wide range of client facilities including a dedicated seminar suite to support its established programme of events and an arbitration and mediation suite which complements Chambers’ mediation and ADR expertise. The premises are fully DDA compliant.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Clerk | Paul Coveney | paul.coveney@ftbchambers.co.uk | 020 7353 8415 |