DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Brodies LLP

Planning

3 ranked lawyers

Band 1

Scotland

UK 2022 View ranking table

chambers review

department information

Ranked Lawyers

Chambers Review

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What the team is known for

First-rate planning team that regularly acts for public sector clients, such as local authorities, as well as substantial private sector clients. Frequently handles infrastructure planning and compulsory purchase matters. Also highly experienced in renewable energy and residential property matters such as onshore wind and affordable housing. Additional expertise in the planning aspects of retail and leisure schemes. Notable for its work on planning inquiries.

Strengths

An interviewee reports: "The Brodies planning team is very good."

Another source comments: "Brodies' technical insight and expertise were invaluable."

Work highlights

Acted for Edinburgh International Business Gateway, a £500 million development project, in a three-day hearing before a Scottish Government reporter in relation to a planning application.

Notable practitioners

Elaine Farquharson-Black is commended for her standout planning practice in the Aberdeen market. She is highly sought after by clients for her expertise in the house builder industry and compulsory purchase compensation claims.
"She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of planning." "She is the pre-eminent person on compulsory purchase orders."

Karen Hamilton has a broad planning practice encompassing matters such as judicial review, public inquiries and compulsory purchase orders. She acts for clients across a breadth of sectors such as energy, residential development and aquaculture.
"An extremely professional leader in her field who possesses fantastic depth of expertise."

Neil Collar is held in high regard for his extensive knowledge of the Scottish planning law system. He is well known for representing clients in public inquiries and planning appeals.
"He is right at the top of the game in planning."

Department Information

This content is provided by Brodies LLP.

Overview

Our lawyers collaborate with our clients in navigating what are frequently complex and challenging issues against a rapidly evolving and complex regulatory background.

We bring market leading expertise and knowledge to every client and situation; we also have wide ranging experience with regulators and those who are regulated. This gives us the perspective to provide the most commercial and pragmatic advice tailored to our clients’ needs, no matter whether the matter is contentious or non-contentious.

Working with clients in the public and private sectors, our lawyers' expertise extends across strategic advice; prevention and assistance with risk management; consenting, including environmental impact assessment; compulsory purchase and compensation; due diligence and contractual protection mechanisms; prosecutions and regulatory matters; land development, contaminated land and remediation and health and safety. We have wide experience on and off-shore: in urban and rural locations and dealing with sites protected for environmental sensitivity. Key sectors include real estate, renewable energy, infrastructure and housing.

We participate actively and are invested in strategic issues driving engagement and discussion with all stakeholders, helping to develop, influence and shape our market and future thinking.