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UK Guide 2023
Northern Ireland Administrative & Public Law
1
Band 1

2 Ranked Lawyers

About

Provided by Cleaver Fulton Rankin

The Public and Administrative law team at Cleaver Fulton Rankin is led by Chairman and Director, Karen Blair. The team advise regarding the powers of the new District Councils in the context of the ongoing reform of public administration culminating in new Councils on 1 April 2015; transitional arrangements resulting from the ongoing reform of local government; advising public bodies on vires issues and the rights of the public to participate in the decision making process; advising private companies and individuals regarding the challenge of decisions by public bodies by way of judicial review; advising Notice Parties where a decision in their favour has been challenged by a third party in judicial review proceedings; representing respondents in judicial review challenges; advising public bodies on their internal processes and policies to reduce the risk of challenge going forward; and advising the public and private sector in relation to the Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation. 

The team advise a number of key public sector clients in a wide range of contexts. The administrative law practice is closely related to the firm’s planning and environmental practice where they advise applicants and notice parties in planning and environmental judicial reviews. The team also provide specialist administrative law advice in the procurement context, advising both tendering authorities and individual tenderers.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Administrative & Public Law - Northern Ireland
1
Band 1
What the team is known for

Cleaver Fulton Rankin predominantly represents regulators, local authorities and other public bodies in a range of administrative and public law matters. The firm advises on issues such as judicial reviews, statutory appeals and disciplinary proceedings. It is also adept at advising commercial clients challenging planning and other government decisions. The firm is particularly adept in the healthcare and pharmaceutical regulatory sphere, and has a prominent environmental practice.

Work Highlights

Provided by Cleaver Fulton Rankin
  • Cleaver Fulton Rankin represented Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council regarding upwards of 50 judicial review challenges relating to planning decisions issued by a single litigant in person.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
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Karen Blair
Head of Administrative & Public Law
1
Band 1

Karen Blair heads the public law offering at Cleaver Fulton Rankin. She is noted for her extensive experience handling judicial review matters and has considerable expertise in planning challenges.

"Karen demonstrates excellent leadership across the firm."

"She is first-class."

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Brendan Martyn
Associates to watch

Brendan Martyn is an associate director at Cleaver Fulton Rankin. He has a wide-ranging public and administrative law practice which sees him regularly representing local authorities and regulatory bodies.

"Brendan has a very strong awareness, knowledge and experience of planning matters."

"He is a good strategic thinker and communicator."

Ranked Lawyers at
Cleaver Fulton Rankin

Provided by Chambers
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Northern Ireland

Administrative & Public Law

1
Karen Blair
Head of Administrative & Public Law
1
Band 1
Brendan Martyn
Associates to watch

Members

Provided by Cleaver Fulton Rankin

Anna McClimonds

Karen Blair

Head of Department

Stephen Masterson

Industries

Provided by Cleaver Fulton Rankin

Energy

Government

Health Care

Mining & Metals

Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

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