Wayne Beglan

He is recognized as a leading junior in administrative law, local government, and housing; and appears in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. They describe him as “widely thought of as an exceptionally bright individual” (2009 – C&P) and “diligent and thorough” (2008 – L500).

His exposure to Judicial Review cases is extensive. His experience and expertise means that his clients use him on strategic work in a number of areas.

He routinely advises on high court matters for a large number of local authorities and is instructed in matters dealing with housing, planning, compulsory purchase, employment, and contractual work. He is noted for his work as a team player in complex inquiries.  Recent examples of advisory and inquiry work include various housing schemes of 1,200, 500, 350 units and a number of schemes comprising about 100 units.  In 2013 he will be promoting the Luton Local Plan. He has also provided advice and appeared in judicial review challenges relating to the extent of permissible uses in retail parks.  He frequently deals with procurement issues arising from significant redevelopment projects including the use of Development Agreements; as well as issues arising from shared services and rationalisation of services.

In terms of housing work he has advised on a number of wider policy issues and the drafting of policies dealing with: allocations under Part VI Housing Act 1996; out of area placement; the extent of the obligation to provide interim accommodation. He recently advised an authority in relation to retention or reuse of 300 dwellings potential subject to a highway scheme and advised two London authorities in relation to rationalisation of all their service tenancies. He often deals with Part VII appeals which are expected to progress to the appellate courts.  He also has significant experience of advising local authorities in relation to both the planning and housing aspects of traveller cases.  In 2012 he secured wide injunctive relief for a London authority.  He has appeared in the LVT on behalf of social housing providers in a number of cases relating to service charges and the construction of leases.

Examples of other work include advising a number of London authorities in relation to the appropriate response to data collation requests made by the Audit Commission pursuant to the National Fraud Initiative; advising and representing the Local Government Association in a judicial review of its approach to shortlisting proposals for legislative change under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007; involvement in on ongoing judicial review testing the correct approach to the definition and extent of neighbourhood areas (the first of its kind); and a judicial review challenge to a c. £20M road scheme.

Wayne has recently advised on and appeared in a number of matters relating to standards in public life. The issues covered have ranged across interests, disreputable conduct, misleading publications, and the application of Article 10 ECHR to the Model Code.

Recent cases of note are listed in the cases section.