Francis Taylor Building > London, England > Set Profile
Francis Taylor Building Offices

FRANCIS TAYLOR BUILDING, INNER TEMPLE
LONDON
EC4Y 7BY
England
Profiles
Francis Taylor Building > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Environment Tier 1
Acting for major corporates, developers, statutory regulators, environmental action groups and individuals, Francis Taylor Building is a highly regarded planning set with a strong contingent of members handling cases involving environmental regulation and land use planning, as well as common law and criminal environmental liability. Robert McCracken QC has brought several challenges to grants of planning permission and adoption of air quality policies based on European air quality directives. Members frequently member appear against each other, as is the case with the high-profile Drax power station litigation, in which Gregory Jones QC is leading rising star Merrow Golden for claimant ClientEarth, with prominent junior Ned Westaway appearing for the Secretary of State. New silk Richard Honey QC is acting for the defendant Secretary of State in a judicial review of the design of the new UK emissions trading scheme.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Francis Taylor Building is my first choice set. I have worked with a mix of juniors and silks and have consistently received a great service. I know that whatever the subject matter, there will be a barrister with the requisite expertise and/or experience.’
‘A consistently high-performing set with a wealth of counsel to choose from.’
‘FTB is a strong set especially in matters concerning planning, business rates and public law. I know the chambers has good strength in depth in licensing matters generally and I have attended some very informative training sessions. In licensing terms there is always someone suitable available for the case.’
‘FTB have a good variety of barristers in this area and they are all of high quality.’
‘All barristers are practical in their approach and express themselves clearly. There has always been somebody available to assist within the required timescales. Their training, delivered to planning officers, was hailed as the best and most informative training session that planning officers have attended.’
Clerks
‘I know James Kemp and Adam Collins the best, but find all the clerks at Francis Taylor Building to be first-class and a pleasure to deal with, being both responsive and extremely helpful. The clerks are a credit to Francis Taylor Building and should be commended highly.’
London Bar > Licensing Tier 1
The set at Francis Taylor Building displays an ‘unparalleled breadth of expertise across planning and licensing law’, acting for operators in the liquor, gambling, entertainment, and taxi areas, and representing parties in judicial review cases, and before the Magistrates’ Court. Gerald Gouriet QC acted for the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association in Uber London Limited v TfL, the ongoing litigation concerning Uber's activities in London. Jeremy Philips QC provided an opinion on English law as part of the Hong Kong regulatory process for the takeover of Les Ambassadeurs Club in Mayfair, and Leo Charalambides represents the Metropolitan Police in its appeal against the decision of Camden Council to grant a license to The Red Rooms sexual entertainment venue.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Very good set, professional throughout. Wide range of licensing expertise covering all fields in the sector.’
‘A consistently high-performing set with a wealth of counsel to choose from. ‘
‘Unparalleled breadth of expertise across planning and licensing law.’
‘FTB is clearly the leading licensing set with some of the most famous names in the Industry. It has unrivaled depth in the licensing and regulatory field and they have been a joy to work with.’
‘FTB has possibly the greatest depth of licensing experience in England. Chambers are able to offer expert licensing advice from the lowest level of junior (in terms of call date) to QC.’
Clerking
‘Good clerking. Polite and professional with the skill to suggest the correct counsel to the client.’
London Bar > Agriculture Tier 2
Francis Taylor Building handles a wide array of agricultural matters, with particular strength in public law-related cases. Areas of strength include common land, town and village green applications, rights of way, and easements. Members regularly appear as advocates and inspectors at village green inspections, a particular strength for Morag Ellis QC, who represented the Welsh Government in Cefn yr Hendy, Llantrisant and Cowbridge Sports Ground, successfully resisting the registration of development land as a town or village green after a public inquiry. Richard Honey QC is noted for his strength in environmental law, and represented the successful claimant in the Foscote Hill Farm judicial review of the grant of planning permission for the relocation of a farm business, including a new dwelling and agricultural buildings. Ned Westaway, unled, represented DEFRA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency in MacDonald v Animal Plant And Health Agency, a case garnering much media attention concerning the refusal of the owner of an alpaca named Geronimo to destroy it after it tested positive for bovine tuberculosis twice.
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Clerking
‘Billy Brett is my main contact and he’s very efficient and helpful.‘
London Bar > Local government (including rating law) Tier 2
Viewed as an ‘academically strong and thorough‘ set, Francis Taylor Building is noted for being ‘very strong on CPO, infrastructure, and compensation cases.’ The team is highly regarded for its expertise in rating matters, and handles instructions relating to local government finances, council tax, licensing and compulsory purchase orders and compensation. Cain Ormondroyd specialises in ratings and council tax issues; he appeared for the London Borough of Merton in a case regarding the application of charitable relief from rating concerning a gymnasium bought by Nuffield Health, a registered charity which operates hospitals and health clubs, which also served as a test case for application of ‘public benefit’ requirement in this context. Elsewhere in chambers, Hugh Flanagan advised a provider of serviced offices in Central London on the correct business rates treatment of the building, in the context of a potential dispute with the Valuation Officer.Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘FTB is an excellent set for planning, environment and local government, and is developing stronger expertise in broader public law work. There are very good barristers at all levels in chambers.’
‘The set as a whole has extremely knowledgeable and hard working barristers with a wealth of experience and offers a good range of barristers within different price ranges.’
London Bar > Planning Tier 2
Francis Taylor Building has ‘extraordinary strength-in-depth with a wealth of talented barristers’ and are ‘the top planning and compulsory purchase set in London.’ The set is known for its infrastructure expertise and is involved in various transport and energy projects. Hereward Phillpot QC leads Hugh Flanagan and Daisy Noble to promote the nationally significant infrastructure project, the proposed 3.2GW Sizewell C nuclear power station on behalf of EDF. The set has also been involved in high-profile planning inquiries and have expertise in the heritage sector; Douglas Edwards QC and Charles Streeten represented Westminster County Council in the inquiry concerning proposals to construct a Holocaust memorial in Victoria Tower Gardens. Melissa Murphy QC acted for The National Trust at the Court of Appeal on a case relating to the proposed redevelopment of Bramshill House, a Grade I Jacobean mansion and Grade I registered parkland. In October 2021 Kate Olley joined from Landmark Chambers.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘These chambers have extraordinary strength-in-depth with a wealth of talented barristers. It covers all areas of law but is particularly strong on planning and environmental matters. There is always someone available at the right level of expertise and seniority to assist. I have worked with several QC’s and junior barristers from these Chambers and they are all on top of their game.’
‘FTB have an abundance of talent, and when counsel of choice is unavailable we have never been disappointed with the alternatives offered.’
‘FTB is an excellent set for planning, environment and local government, and is developing stronger expertise in broader public law work. There are very good barristers at all levels in chambers.’
‘Francis Taylor Building is my first choice set. I have worked with circa 10 barristers (mix of juniors and silks) and have consistently received a great service. I know that whatever the subject matter, there will be a barrister with the requisite expertise and/or experience.’
‘FTB are the top Planning and Compulsory Purchase set in London. From Senior Silks to Juniors they have tremendous strength in dept, so it is surprising that their top Juniors are not Silks already.’
Clerking
‘I found the clerks extremely helpful over lockdown in helping to manage our first virtual planning inquiry, from managing set up, providing rooms, helping with technology and always being on hand to ensure it ran smoothly. The clerks offer a quick and effective service.’
Francis Taylor Building > Set 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 and infrastructure planning, environmental, licensing, compulsory purchase and land valuation, local government, administrative and public law. and rating. 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 transport and works schemes, utilities, highways, heritage and conservation, Parliamentary bills, common land and village greens, minerals, statutory nuisance and regulation, health and safety, environmental crime, 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.
Diversity and Inclusion
Chambers is committed to promoting and advancing diversity and equality among its members and staff. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, political persuasion, disability, age or religion. We fully endorse the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity Code. Applications for pupillage/membership/employment are particularly welcomed from women, members of ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and other groups that are currently under-represented in Chambers.
Access to the profession is an acute issue which Chambers seeks to address. Chambers is involved in initiatives aimed at increasing diversity.
Wellbeing
Chambers is committed to well-being. We have an established a mentoring scheme for members, providing structured opportunities for knowledge sharing and for help and advice to be available across all levels of seniority. Our quarterly social events are on hold for the time being, but we uphold the tradition of Chambers’ tea, held remotely.
We give careful thought to ensuring our marketing events appeal to a wide range of clients, and are held at different times of day, for greatest possible access. This includes both academic and social events. .
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Members of Chambers | TAIT QC, Andrew (1981) | ||
Members of Chambers | ROOTS QC, Guy (1969) | ||
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 | PHILLIPS QC, Jeremy (2018) | ||
Members of Chambers | HONEY QC, Richard (2020) | ||
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 | JONES, Emyr (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | MURPHY, Melissa (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | JOLLIFFE, John (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | WESTMORELAND SMITH, Mark (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | ELEFTHERIADIS, Prof. Pavlos (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | ORMONDROYD, Cain (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | GRAHAM PAUL, Annabel (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | FLANAGAN, Hugh (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 | ANTHONY, Prof. Gordon (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 | DRABKIN-REITER, Esther (2017) ( | ||
Members of Chambers | BRETT, Michael Brendan (2017) | ||
Members of Chambers | FEGAN, Conor (2018) | ||
Members of Chambers | WELCH, Jonathan (2019) |
Barrister Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Gordon Anthony | Professor Gordon Anthony is an Academic Tenant at Francis Taylor Building. He… | View Profile |
![]() | Simon Bird | Simon specialises in planning, local government, administrative and environmental Law. He is… | View Profile |
![]() | Alexander Booth | Alex Booth has a practice which encompasses all aspects of planning, infrastructure… | View Profile |
![]() | Michael Brendan Brett | Recent work undertaken by Michael includes: Junior to Ned Westaway in the… | View Profile |
![]() | Leo Charalambides | Licensing Leo is noted for his extensive expertise and experience of Licensing.… | View Profile |
![]() | Rebecca Clutten | Rebecca Clutten was called to the Bar in 2008 and is recognised… | View Profile |
![]() | Timothy Comyn | The principal areas of Timothy Comyn’s practice include town and country planning,… | View Profile |
![]() | Caroline Daly | Caroline was called to the Bar in 2013 and is currently ranked… | View Profile |
![]() | Esther Drabkin-Reiter | Recent and current work includes: Acting for local residents and businesses, joined… | View Profile |
![]() | Douglas Edwards | Douglas Edwards QC practices in the fields of town and country… | View Profile |
![]() | Pavlos Eleftheriadis | EU Law He is regularly instructed to advise on general aspects of… | View Profile |
![]() | Morag Ellis | Morag Ellis QC is widely recognised as a leading expert in planning… | View Profile |
![]() | Conor Fegan | Conor is ranked as one of the top planning barristers under the… | View Profile |
![]() | Hugh Flanagan | Hugh is ranked as a leading junior in the Legal 500 and… | View Profile |
![]() | Charles Forrest | Charles welcomes instructions to advise and represent clients across all of Chambers’… | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew Fraser-urquhart | Andrew Fraser-Urquhart QC (known universally as “AFU”) practices in planning, environmental and… | View Profile |
![]() | Michael Fry | Michael specialises in planning and public law. His practice encompasses environmental, regulatory,… | View Profile |
![]() | Richard Glover | Richard Glover QC practices in all aspects of town and country… | View Profile |
![]() | Merrow Golden | Merrow welcomes instructions to act individually or as a part of a… | View Profile |
![]() | Gerald Gouriet | Gerald’s licensing practice is principally in alcohol & entertainment, taxi and… | View Profile |
![]() | David Graham | Planning David’s practice takes in a variety of planning matters, for private… | View Profile |
![]() | Annabel Graham Paul | Annabel has acted in a number of leading judicial reviews and planning… | View Profile |
![]() | Gary Grant | Gary Grant is one of the UK’s leading licensing barristers. He… | View Profile |
![]() | Alexander Greaves | Since joining Chambers in 2014, Alexander has developed a busy specialist practice… | View Profile |
![]() | Mark Hill | Mark has more than twenty years experience of common law practice advising… | View Profile |
![]() | Charles Holland | Charles Holland’s practice combines licensing work and a broad range of… | View Profile |
![]() | Richard Honey | Richard Honey QC practises as a barrister in the fields of public… | View Profile |
![]() | Craig Howell Williams | Craig Howell Williams QC specialises in planning, environment and related areas… | View Profile |
![]() | Michael Humphries | Michael Humphries specialises in all aspects of property development law, but is… | View Profile |
![]() | John Jolliffe | John Jolliffe practises across a range of environmental, planning and public law.… | View Profile |
![]() | Gregory Jones | Gregory’s practice covers all aspects of administrative law including judicial review and… | View Profile |
![]() | Emyr Jones | Emyr was called in 1999 and practised in Cardiff until joining FTB… | View Profile |
![]() | Saira Kabir Sheikh | Saira’s practice covers all aspects of planning and environmental law, local government,… | View Profile |
![]() | Meyric Lewis | Meyric was described by The Lawyer as “standing out” for his expertise… | View Profile |
![]() | George Mackenzie | Since joining Chambers in 2012 George has developed a busy specialist practice… | View Profile |
![]() | David Matthias | David Matthias Q.C. FCIArb was called in 1980 and took Silk in… | View Profile |
![]() | Robert Mccracken | Robert McCracken QC is a leading public, planning and environmental lawyer. He… | View Profile |
![]() | Charles Merrett | Charles’ practice spans all areas of Chambers’ planning work. He acts for… | View Profile |
![]() | Melissa Murphy QC | Melissa specialises in compulsory purchase and compensation; planning; and associated property, contract… | View Profile |
![]() | Daisy Noble | View Profile | |
![]() | Cain Ormondroyd | Cain Ormondroyd practices in the fields of public and planning law, with… | View Profile |
![]() | Suzanne Ornsby | Suzanne Ornsby QC specialises in planning law and has spent most of her… | View Profile |
![]() | James Alexander Pereira | James Pereira Q.C. specialises in planning, environmental, local government and administrative law,… | View Profile |
![]() | Jeremy Phillips | Jeremy Phillips QC offers the highest levels of expertise and advocacy as a barrister following,… | View Profile |
![]() | Hereward Phillpot | Hereward Phillpot QC took silk in 2015, and has rapidly become recognised… | View Profile |
![]() | James Rankin | Preeminent licensing barrister James Rankin with thirty years’ experience in licensing and… | View Profile |
![]() | Guy Roots | Guy Roots QC is an Associate Member of Chambers and is available… | View Profile |
![]() | Charles Streeten | Charles Streeten has rapidly earned a reputation as one of the leading… | View Profile |
![]() | Isabella Tafur | Isabella is ranked as a leading junior at the Planning Bar… | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew Tait | Andrew Tait QC is Head of Chambers. Andrew’s main areas of work… | View Profile |
![]() | Horatio Waller | Horatio specialises in planning, infrastructure, licensing, judicial review, education, landlord & tenant,… | View Profile |
![]() | Jonathan Welch | Notable examples of Jonathan’s recent and ongoing work include: Acting for local… | View Profile |
![]() | Ned Westaway | Ned is a highly regarded junior who accepts instructions in a wide… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Paul Coveney, Senior Clerk : Clerk James Kemp, Deputy Senior Clerk, Team Leader : Clerk Andrew Briton, Principal Clerk Business Development and Research : Clerk Harry Killick, Team Leader : Clerk Harry Gamble, Team Leader : Clerk Grant James, Team Assistant : Clerk Molly Dumbleton, Team Assistant : Clerk Vicki Cousins, Chambers' Manager : Administrative Staff Deirdre Mahon, Marketing Manager : Administrative Staff Erja Gunn, Receptionist : Administrative StaffLanguages
EnglishFrancis Taylor Building > Set 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 |
Staff Figures
58 Members of Chambers. 13 Members of Staff :- Environment
- Licensing
Top Tier Set Rankings
- Agriculture
- Local government (including rating law)
- Planning