Department profile
No5 Barristers' Chambers

Planning

UK Bar Guide 2026 : Midlands (Bar)

Share profile

No5 Barristers' Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Planning - Midlands (Bar)

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

No5 Barristers' Chambers has an established reputation for excellence in planning law throughout the Midlands and further afield. Many of the barristers at the set are highly experienced in major infrastructure and development issues. Members of the set continue to handle major planning inquiries and well-publicised cases and frequently appear at all levels of the UK court system, including the Supreme Court. An interviewee comments: "No5 has always been the top set for planning outside London". Another source notes its "barristers are some of the best in the planning industry".

Marc Forrest-Thomas heads the clerking.

View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are always on-hand to respond, highly efficient and effective.

    Planning respondentUK Bar

  • Marc Forrest-Thomas is without a doubt one of the finest clerks in the industry.

    Planning respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks provide a friendly, timely and professional service.

    Planning respondentUK Bar

  • No5 Barristers' Chambers has the highest service level from its clerks who always swiftly and satisfactorily deal with any issues.

    Planning respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Christopher Young
    Christopher Young

    Christopher Young

    Christopher Young KC enjoys an excellent reputation for his practice, especially for his advocacy in residential development inquiries. He is particularly knowledgeable about Neighbourhood Development Plans, and is often instructed in planning inquiries on behalf of developers, national house builders and major retailers. He is also skilled at handling proceedings before the High Court and Court of Appeal.

    • Christopher Young always goes above and beyond.

      Planning respondentUK Bar

    • Christopher Young is a top-rated silk for planning work, and very strong on residential developments.

      Planning respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Peter Goatley
    Peter Goatley

    Peter Goatley

    Peter Goatley KC offers planning expertise in both an advisory and litigation context. His practice focuses chiefly on the residential development industry, and he is instructed by house builders across the country. He also counsels local authorities on planning disputes. He is also involved with crematorium developments.

    • Peter Goatley is fantastic to work with. His experience across the myriad of planning matters is exceptional.

      Planning respondentUK Bar

    • Peter Goatley very carefully thinks through a strategy, and he is quite commercial, frank with clients and a team player.

      Planning respondentUK Bar

    • Peter Goatley is excellent at cross-examination.

      Planning respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Satnam Choongh
    Satnam Choongh

    Satnam Choongh

    Satnam Choongh is well regarded for his broad expertise spanning planning and environmental law. He has particular prowess in the retail, residential and waste sectors and is frequently instructed in appeals arising out of development projects.

    • Satnam Choongh is perhaps one of the most composed barristers. His ability to formulate and provide clear and rational advice on technical matters is an asset to any planning professional.

      Planning respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Thea Osmund-Smith
    Thea Osmund-Smith

    Thea Osmund-Smith

    Thea Osmund-Smith is noted for her strong inquiry practice. She regularly advises major clients, including developers, energy providers, house builders and local authorities.

    • Thea Osmund-Smith is an excellent advocate, very good at the cross-examination of witnesses.

      Planning respondentUK Bar

    • Thea Osmund-Smith is one of the strongest and most compelling advocates. Her ability to understand the details and interconnected nature of planning cases is exceptional.

      Planning respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Christian Hawley
    Christian Hawley

    Christian Hawley

    Christian Hawley enjoys a broad planning practice in which he often acts on behalf of developers, promoters and local authorities. His expertise includes residential developments, environmental impact assessments and inquiries.

    • Christian Hawley is communicative, very ordered and his advocacy skills are fantastic.

      Planning respondentUK Bar

    • Christian Hawley is an exceptional barrister and a silk in waiting. He is responsive, friendly, intelligent and commercially astute.

      Planning respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Jack Smyth
    Jack Smyth

    Jack Smyth

    Jack Smyth focuses on planning enforcement matters, including cases regarding planning permissions. Smyth is extremely well versed in injunctions, committals and inquiries. He often handles work for local authorities.

    • Jack Smyth is an outstanding and personable counsel.

      Planning respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • James Corbet Burcher
    James Corbet Burcher

    James Corbet Burcher

    James Corbet Burcher is an experienced handler of planning matters involving assets of community value and is known for his work in neighbourhood planning and residential development matters. He represents developers as well as local planning authorities in public inquiries and planning appeals.

    • James Corbet Burcher is a very good barrister, with a good eye for detail.

      Planning respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Leanne Buckley-Thomson
    Leanne Buckley-Thomson

    Leanne Buckley-Thomson

    Leanne Buckley-Thomson regularly acts for both local authorities and developers on residential appeals, public inquiries and judicial reviews. HMO matters and possession proceedings are further areas of her expertise.

    • Leanne Buckley-Thomson always goes the extra mile to successfully navigate complex planning issues and provide the highest standard of advocacy.

      Planning respondentUK Bar

    • Leanne Buckley-Thomson is very calming and extremely well prepared.

      Planning respondentUK Bar

    • Leanne Buckley-Thomson is a rising star; she is just incredible.

      Planning respondentUK Bar
    View profile

Ranked Barristers at No5 Barristers' Chambers (8)

Midlands (Bar)

Members

Provided by No5 Barristers' Chambers

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership