SILK PROFILE
Richard Harwood KC

Richard Harwood KC

UK Bar 2026

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Ranked in 3 practice areas

About

Provided by 39 Essex Chambers

UK Bar

Practice Areas

Planning, Environment, Local Government, Energy, Public Law, Art. Cases include as lead counsel in four Supreme Court cases, in 50 Court of Appeal cases and over 400 Administrative Court/Planning Court cases, as well as planning inquiries, the Upper and First Tier Tribunals and related courts. Appears for a wide range of developers, landowners, public authorities and interest groups.

Planning: includes the full range of applications, appeals and policy including: infrastructure (Manston Airport, Thames Tideway Tunnel); tall buildings (Chiswick Curve, Milton Keynes); new settlements and urban extensions (Ashford South, Waterbeach, Wisley, Swindon New Eastern Villages); mobile homes (Ocean 100); individual projects.

Energy: Solar (Galloway); Wind (Williams, Holder), Renewable Heat regulation (Green Belt (NI), Dennison), Incinerators (Capel, Newhaven).

Environmental: Environmental Permit (BACI); Waste (O’Grady); Private Nuisance (Hirose; Peires); Statutory Nuisance (Elvington).

Environmental Impact Assessment: Finch, Goodman, Lebus, Mellor, SAVE Britain’s Heritage. Strategic Environmental Assessment: Heard.

Highways: conditions (Symmetry), compulsory purchase orders (A320, Swindon), development consent orders (Stonehenge World Heritage Site, A63, A31).

Local Government: decision making and councillors (Spitalfields (Supreme Court), Hethel, Holborn Studios); caravan site licensing (Haytop); open space (Finsbury, Shaman); access to documents (Joicey, Kinsey); councillor code of conduct (Perry) and officer investigations.

Art Law: listed building issues (Dill); export control; regulation, including money laundering; contested heritage.

Career

Called to the Bar of England and Wales (1993, KC 2013); Northern Ireland (2016); St Lucia (2022).

Publications

Author, Planning Permission; Planning Enforcement (3rd Ed); Historic Environment Law. Co-author: Planning Policy; Contested Heritage; co-host, Art & Heritage Law podcast.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Planning - London (Bar)

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Richard Harwood KC is a silk whose reputation and profile are fast on the rise. He acts for developers and landowners, as well as government authorities. He has also authored a number of standard texts on planning and environmental law. His practice takes in proposals ranging from energy and infrastructure to high-profile residential and commercial developments.

Environment - London (Bar)

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial

Richard Harwood KC advises on nuisance and criminal regulatory matters in environmental law, and is an expert on Environmental Impact Assessments. He is also highly regarded for his work in planning law.

Art and Cultural Property Law - London (Bar)

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial
Richard Harwood KC of 39 Essex Chambers is a notable figure who is especially well known for export and listed building matters and regularly advises government bodies.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Richard is very approachable, good with clients, on top of the law and a persuasive advocate.

    PlanningUK Bar
  • Richard's expertise in planning matters is incredibly strong and he inspires confidence in his clients.

    PlanningUK Bar
  • Richard Harwood is an excellent, experienced advocate who has a forensic eye for detail, is very hard-working and is astute at knowing what to say in court.

    PlanningUK Bar
  • He is a pleasure to work with and has strong expertise in matters related to historic buildings and CPOs.

    PlanningUK Bar
  • He is outstanding in all areas of work and with all types of clients. I have never had cause to be anything other than impressed by him.

    EnvironmentUK Bar
  • Richard is and has always been the man of answers. He knows everything. He has always got the answer, he's the only person you ever need to ask. He is very approachable and very helpful.

    Art and Cultural Property Law UK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 39 Essex Chambers (248)

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