UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)
Ranked Individuals
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
We understand the need for joined-up sector focused advice across all of the disciplines that have to come together on any deal or project. We approach planning not as an isolated area of law but as part of the life cycle of real estate assets, applying our experience to help our clients foresee and resolve commercial issues on a project-wide basis.
We are at the very top of the market for planning work on business-critical projects: clients turn to us when the outcome really matters.
We have two principal focuses: high profile commercial development and regeneration projects and major energy and infrastructure projects. Our knowledge includes planning applications and agreements, strategic planning advice, heritage and listing issues, environmental impact assessment, CIL, compulsory purchase and planning inquiries.
We work alongside our real estate disputes resolution team, who deal with compulsory purchase compensation, rights to light and other contentious property matters. We also work closely with our market-leading public law litigation team on judicial review and information disclosure. Our ability to leverage this cross-practice focused advice gives our clients a distinct commercial advantage in the market.
We are proud to advise some of the most prestigious clients across the real estate, energy and infrastructure sectors on their planning law requirements.
Provided by Chambers
Herbert Smith Freehills is an established commercial development outfit that is also capable of handling substantial energy and infrastructure projects. The team holds a strong record across a range of sectors and project types including tall buildings and mixed-use developments. The firm often acts for private sector developers and continues to be involved with various matters at public inquiry.
Provided by Chambers
Herbert Smith Freehills advised British Land regarding their ongoing regeneration of Canada Water in the London Borough of Southwark.
Provided by Chambers
HSF is an extraordinary team that work with creativity, diligence and grace under pressure.
The HSF planning team are strong on complex planning matters and are phenomenal with their knowledge and ability to distil things down well.
The Herbert Smith team is comprised of high quality professionals across the board who provide strong planning knowledge across the energy sector and beyond.
Herbert Smith provides strong experience and a good service.
HSF provides strong clarity of advice and speed of response.
Provided by Chambers
Matthew is a broad and deep thinker, provides essential commercial advice, and is very strong on planning and infrastructure work.
Catherine Howard has a substantial practice in London-based commercial developments, as well as energy and infrastructure projects throughout the UK. She is adept at handling development consent and compulsory purchase orders, planning strategy and agreements, and preparing for challenges.
Catherine is approachable, super smart and very enjoyable to work with.
Catherine is reliably responsive and takes a proactive role for her clients in providing strategic thinking and commercial solutions in relation to planning law.
Catherine understands extremely complex matters and is both very responsive and personable.
Catherine is an exceptional talent and runs an excellent team.
Catherine is formidably clever and is proactive in the way she provides advice to her clients.
Charlotte Dyer is experienced in providing guidance on high-profile commercial, residential and infrastructure developments, including those outside the UK. She often assists clients in obtaining development consent orders (DCO) and advising on environmental impact issues.
Charlotte has an incredible encyclopaedic depth of knowledge across the planning spectrum, particularly in DCO applications.
Charlotte is a very clever lawyer, and an excellent role model for the team.
Planning
Head of Planning
Planning
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Charlotte Dyer
View profile of Charlotte DyerMatthew White
View profile of Matthew White
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