Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Planning - London (Bar)

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

The versatile Cornerstone team is capable of taking on both high-stakes planning inquiries and contentious cases in all venues from the High Court to the Supreme Court, with the benefit of additional experience in adjacent fields such as local property and public law. Clients typically range from private individuals to public bodies and from small businesses to large-scale developers. One example of the set's recent high-profile work is the Gatwick Northern Runway DCO Examination whereby Gatwick is proposing a second fulltime runway that would increase its capacity for flights and passengers by over a third. Sources report that the team provide "clear concise advice and rapid response times". Another interviewee says: "Cornerstone has a wide range of expertise and barristers to suit every type of client."

Daryl Hughes is the senior clerk.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Richard Ground KC
1
Band 1

Richard Ground KC is extensively experienced in planning inquiries, both major and local, and also an expert in village greens, local government and environmental law. His areas of excellence include infrastructure disputes, enforcement actions, heritage matters and cases involving Green Belt developments.

Richard is approachable and gives very solution-focused advice.

Richard is very approachable and always ensures consistency of approach and clarity of thought.

Richard Ground has a detailed understanding of a multitude of issues and is excellent in cross-examination.

Richard Ground is a go-to planning barrister who has an outstanding eye for detail and quickly gets to grips with complex technical matters.

He is incredibly thorough when preparing for a case and is highly effective in cross-examination, while always being polite and courteous to witnesses.

1
Rob Williams
1
Band 1

Rob Williams is skilled in a wide variety of planning disciplines, from CPO matters through Section 78 appeals to mineral rights. He is increasingly popular among government entities, serving as a member of the Attorney General's A Panel and is also instructed by private individuals and LPAs on local plan concerns.

Rob is a very good senior junior who understands the commercial interests of his clients.

Rob is highly effective in court and at inquiries, and has a persuasive style of advocacy.

He is an excellent advocate who is extremely good at what he does and is quick on his feet.

Rob listens carefully, gives strategic, pragmatic and commercial advice, and is very personable too.

Rob Williams is an impressive barrister who regularly acts on complex planning matters.

1
Thomas Cosgrove
1
Band 1

Thomas Cosgrove KC acts for an array of clients ranging from interest groups to house builders and retailers, and is a regular feature at residential and heritage development inquiries and at judicial review. He also handles sizeable infrastructure cases. He has notable expertise in Local Plans.

I found Thomas to be extremely knowledgeable and approachable but also able to adapt his approach extremely quickly to the audience he was addressing.

An outstanding cross-examiner and a compelling advocate across a wide range of planning and environmental topics.

Thomas Cosgrove is very good, highly experienced and has a very impressive client base.

He has an exceptional ability to take complex legal points and present them clearly and forcefully, ensuring that even the most intricate issues are easily understood.

For nervous and shy witnesses, he sprinkles his KC dust and they feel prepared and confident by the end.

2
Edward Grant
2
Band 2

Edward Grant maintains a diverse client base of developers, local authorities and interested third parties whom he advises and acts for in inquiries. He is familiar with all aspects of planning law, and in particular has experience in large housing cases and criminal proceedings arising from enforcement prosecutions. His caseload includes instructions relating to high-impact London development.

Edward is great to work with, very thorough and has real presence as an advocate.

He provides a high level of advice, knowledge and support for his clients.

Ed is an absolute pleasure to work with and leaves no stone unturned in his forensic approach to planning appeals.

Edward Grant is a strong and decisive communicator who is excellent within cross-examination and provides a superb level of written work.

Edward provides a robust style of advocacy and is very commercially aware.

Emmaline Lambert
2
Emmaline Lambert
2
Band 2

Emmaline Lambert is respected as a strong junior in the field who has broad experience of inquiries, enforcement matters and High Court challenges. She represents a diverse range of clients, including developers and third parties, and is routinely instructed to represent local authorities in planning inquiries and appeals. She is experienced in planning cases involving numerous sensitive environmental issues.

Emmaline is a powerful advocate and a great team player.

She has the ability to understand issues very quickly and leads with confidence, integrity and respect.

Emmaline is a go-to barrister for planning matters. She is studious, thorough and a delight to work with.

Emmaline is very client-focused and has an almost superhuman capacity to review copious amounts of technical evidence in a short space of time.

Emmaline Lambert is a charming lawyer with a wonderful manner who gets results for her clients and provides stunningly persuasive drafting.

3
Asitha Ranatunga
3
Band 3

Asitha Ranatunga is an expert in all manner of planning cases. He often represents local authorities regarding their development plans and appears at examinations and challenges. He is also retained by individuals and organisations in their challenges to LPA decisions. He is frequently instructed at all stages of enforcement proceedings, and has handled a number of appeals and cases concerning the implementation of regulatory controls.

Asitha is incredibly knowledgeable, approachable when needed, and able to navigate sensitive matters and topics with ease.

Asitha makes clients feel comfortable and confident, and leaves no stone unturned in his work.

He is an insightful lawyer with great client skills and an authoritative advocacy style.

3
Ben Du Feu
3
Band 3

Ben Du Feu regularly acts for local authorities and developers on a broad spectrum of planning matters. He has in-depth knowledge of litigation related to unauthorised development and planning challenges.

Ben Du Feu is responsive at all times and always happy to help.

He is an excellent strategist and an effective cross-examiner.

He is fantastic with clients, very bright and extremely good on his feet.

Ben is a very knowledgeable, professional and personable planning barrister.

Ben has a forensic mind, a fierce intellect and always knows what's important and what's not.

Clare Parry
3
Clare Parry
3
Band 3

Clare Parry has crossed swords with some of the Bar's top planning barristers in judicial reviews and inquiries. She is appointed to the Attorney General's B Panel and is regularly engaged to appear before the High Court in matters throughout England and Wales. Her planning and environmental caseload includes matters involving neighbourhood plans and cultural heritage issues.

Clare Parry has a razor-sharp intellect, and her preparation and ability to explain difficult points is faultless.

Clare is incredibly knowledgeable, approachable when needed, and able to navigate sensitive matters and topics with ease.

Clare's attention to detail and work ethic are very strong.

She has outstanding legal abilities and an effective style of cross-examination.

3
Jack Parker
3
Band 3

Jack Parker possesses a substantial reputation due to his robust appearances in the High Court on a range of planning matters, including town and country concerns and local neighbourhood plans. He represents LPAs, individuals and businesses.

Jack always delivers high-quality and noteworthy advocacy to secure his client's objectives.

Jack's assistance, knowledge and advice are all incredibly helpful to clients.

Jack is a strong planning barrister with clear analytical skills and a powerful work ethic.

He is easy to work with and extremely committed to providing excellent advocacy.

Jack Parker is an incredibly efficient and personable advocate.

3
Michael Bedford
3
Band 3

Michael Bedford KC possesses extensive experience in planning and focuses on development plans and regeneration schemes as well as significant infrastructure projects. He is known for his representation of local authorities and regularly accepts instructions in large inquiries and judicial reviews.

He is a very good, thorough lawyer who is good on complicated and technical issues.

Michael is strong in the DCO field and is an effective advocate at examination hearings.

Michael is very knowledgeable on case law and legislation, and is thorough and probing in his analysis.

4
Emma Dring
4
Band 4

Emma Dring's remit includes wider public and administrative law, in addition to her established planning practice. She is particularly focused on cases where the planning, housing and licensing practice areas interface. She is appointed to the Attorney General's B Panel and has significant expertise in heritage matters.

Emma is an absolute delight to work with and really goes the extra mile for her clients.

Emma Dring is a highly competent and forceful advocate with a great ability to identify critical issues and resolve them.

She is an excellent barrister who gives sensible and clear advice and communicates complex matters succinctly.

She provides extensive knowledge, faultless preparation and persuasive advocacy for her clients.

Emma is very bright, provides excellent, clear advice and is a delight to work with.

4
Estelle Dehon KC
4
Band 4

Estelle Dehon KC dedicates a significant portion of her practice to planning law, frequently representing interest groups, individuals and local authorities in sometimes controversial cases. She regularly appears in the High Court and at public inquiries concerning substantial development proposals. She has been involved in important challenges to energy schemes including fracking.

Estelle is an impressive advocate who provides clear and concise advice.

She is extremely approachable and demonstrates strong expertise and strategic advice.

Estelle has a brilliant approach to all her work and is a pleasure to work with. She is passionate, puts clients at ease, and is aware of the economic interests affecting planning work.

4
Paul Shadarevian KC
4
Band 4

Paul Shadarevian KC is a highly experienced planning law barrister and is particularly sought after for his expertise in residential and commercial development planning. He regularly advises local authorities on their Local Plans.

Paul is a persuasive advocate with a sound grasp of commercial and practical implications.

Paul provides clear and concise advice, excellent advocacy and strong drafting skills.

He is an exceptional barrister with a strong strategic mind.

Robin Green
4
Robin Green
4
Band 4

Robin Green advises and appears for developer and local authority clients at inquiry and in the High Court. His clients include local authorities and private individuals, whom he represents in matters encompassing all aspects of planning law, with a particular focus on housing developments. He is particularly well versed in cases concerning controversial development proposals in countryside areas.

Robin is a great barrister who is very bright and totally thorough in his work.

Robin has a strong intellectual mind and a great ability to explain complex matters in a simple way.

Ruchi Parekh
4
Ruchi Parekh
4
Band 4

Ruchi Parekh has an impressive planning practice with in-depth experience of infrastructure matters, especially those relating to energy projects. She has appeared in significant DCO hearings and high-stakes planning challenges.

Ruchi is a joy to work with, inspires complete confidence and never fails to impress with her knowledge, skill and approachability.

Ruchi is extremely approachable and demonstrates strong knowledge and expertise.

Ruchi provides great analytical skills and clear and focused advocacy on planning matters.

Ruchi is very thorough and provides clear advice on complex matters.

Ryan Kohli
4
Ryan Kohli
4
Band 4

Ryan Kohli is recognised for his expertise in planning inquiries. He is regularly called on to advise clients on infrastructure planning and significant urban developments.

Ryan inspires confidence in his knowledge, client care and advocacy.

He is an authoritative advocate with a persuasive style underpinned by sound legal skills.

Ryan is a super, effective barrister who provides extremely helpful input and is very enjoyable to work with.

He is an excellent barrister who is bright, focused, hard-working and a great core presence.

Ryan's advocacy is extremely fluent and he is concise. He holds the attention of the court and is very comfortable on his feet.

Wayne Beglan
4
Wayne Beglan
4
Band 4

Wayne Beglan handles planning cases as part of his wide-ranging local government practice. He represents both local authorities and private clients. He is regularly engaged in judicial reviews, High Court actions and Court of Appeal cases. He handles issues including CPOs and local plans.

Wayne always delivers, goes the extra mile for his clients and is always thinking ahead.

Wayne is a diligent and thorough lawyer with a sound sense of practical outcomes and how best to achieve them.

5
James Findlay
5
Band 5

James Findlay KC operates a substantial planning practice in Scotland, as well as in England and Wales. He is particularly adept at dealing with controversial or complex cases with a high profile. His work for local authorities often concerns housing or energy projects. Challenges to local plans form a key area of his work. He also represents developers and other interested parties.

James has a superb legal brain combined with an easygoing manner, which makes for incredibly effective advocacy.

5
Jonathan Clay
5
Band 5

Jonathan Clay is an able and experienced advocate who acts for major players in residential and infrastructure development cases, including motorways, stadiums and wind farms. His areas of expertise also include enforcement, town and country planning, village greens and commercial development.

He is always approachable, very popular with clients and very experienced.

Jonathan has a creative mind with a knack for spotting legal issues overlooked by others and capitalising on them to great effect.

Jonathan has a good approach and attitude to all issues he works on.

Jonathan Clay is an intelligent advocate with strong communication skills and great commercial awareness.

5
Josef Cannon
5
Band 5

Josef Cannon is a well-regarded barrister with a strong inquiries practice. He is regularly instructed in cases regarding housing schemes and developments in the Green Belt.

Josef is very knowledgeable and excels in instinctively understanding how to develop particular arguments.

Josef always delivers and in a timely and efficient way, and is a sophisticated and effective advocate.

He is an effective and robust advocate with an ability to explain the most complex issues in clear and simple terms.

Joe has strong approachability, insight and pragmatism, as well as great technical knowledge of planning matters.

5
Nina Pindham
5
Band 5

Nina Pindham frequently represents landowners, developers and local authorities on an array of planning and environmental mandates, alongside public law matters. She is experienced acting for clients at inquiry in the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Nina is a rising star in climate change litigation and an undoubted expert on Biodiversity Net Gain.

Riccardo Calzavara
5
Riccardo Calzavara
5
Band 5

Riccardo Calzavara has a very strong planning practice which sees him frequently instructed by the government. His expert knowledge covers a wide range of topics including planning matters related to renewable energy projects and large-scale housing developments such as compulsory purchase orders and Section 106 agreements, among many others. He is well versed in appearing in inquiries as well as judicial reviews and magistrates' court.

Riccardo is well loved by clients and produces both high-quality work and tenacious advocacy.

Harriet Townsend
Harriet Townsend
New Silks

Harriet Townsend KC has a strong track record of handling CPO cases, development inquiries, enforcement appeals and other hearings. She has recently been tackling matters relating to significant residential schemes and sensitive cases involving heritage or preservation concerns. She acts for local authorities as well as campaign groups, individuals and developers.

Harriet is an understated but effective advocate with a charming manner used to devastating effect.

She provides diligent, dedicated and enthusiastic client service.

Harriet is a highly knowledgeable individual who advises in a timely manner.

Harriet easily navigates complex legal issues and is responsive, thorough and practical in her approach.

Harriet Townsend is a brilliant planning barrister who is incredibly friendly and helpful.

Ranked Barristers at
Cornerstone Barristers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Planning

1
Richard Ground KC
1
Band 1
1
Thomas Cosgrove KC
1
Band 1
3
Michael Bedford KC
3
Band 3
4
Estelle Dehon KC
4
Band 4
4
Paul Shadarevian KC
4
Band 4
5
James Findlay KC
5
Band 5
5
Josef Cannon KC
5
Band 5
Harriet Townsend KC
Harriet Townsend KC
New Silks

Juniors

London (Bar)

Planning

1
Rob Williams
1
Band 1
2
Edward Grant
2
Band 2
Emmaline Lambert
2
Emmaline Lambert
2
Band 2
3
Asitha Ranatunga
3
Band 3
3
Ben Du Feu
3
Band 3
Clare Parry
3
Clare Parry
3
Band 3
3
Jack Parker
3
Band 3
4
Emma Dring
4
Band 4
Robin Green
4
Robin Green
4
Band 4
Ruchi Parekh
4
Ruchi Parekh
4
Band 4
Ryan Kohli
4
Ryan Kohli
4
Band 4
Wayne Beglan
4
Wayne Beglan
4
Band 4
20 of 23 results