Local government
A core specialism of Cornerstone Barristers is our work acting for and against local authorities. More than 300 local authorities instruct us.
Our work spans the full range of public law concerns, including strategic issues, vires, councillors’ conduct and finance, as well as specific areas such as housing, planning, health and safety, and licensing. Members also act for local authorities in relation to rating and valuation issues.
The team is a leading authority on local government law and areas of law of particular interest to local authorities. We publish the Cornerstone on series of practitioner texts, including Cornerstone on Councillors’ Conduct, Cornerstone on Anti-social Behaviour (2nd Ed.), and Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud.
Our barristers regularly provide training for local authorities and we work on and off local authority tenders.
A number of our barristers have worked in local government departments prior to joining the Bar, giving us an in-depth understanding of the needs and challenges facing local government. We understand the constraints within which the public sector works, and take a practical and pragmatic approach to our work.
In this section
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Local government
News
- Cornerstone pupils Deia Russell-Smith and Natalia Catechis now accepting instructions01 Apr 2026
- Jeremy Ogilvie-Harris Nominated for Junior Pro Bono Barrister of the Year 202625 Mar 2026
- Cornerstone’s Property team selected by LGA to deliver national high-rise fire hazards training18 Feb 2026
- Cornerstone Barristers welcomes new tenant Simon Bell16 Feb 2026
- Examination opens into National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury DCO10 Feb 2026
Cases
- The Court of Appeal holds that effective service in accordance with s.233 Local Government Act 1972 does not preclude a reasonable excuse defence on the basis of non-receipt26 Mar 2026
- High Court finds breach but declines to quash the City of London’s grant of planning permission to demolish parts of the Barbican Estate26 Mar 2026
- Court of Appeal quashes decision to remove low traffic neighbourhood22 Jan 2026
- Urbanisation of Chelmsford’s Green Wedge is refused16 Jan 2026
- The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) gives guidance as to the conduct of assessments under the HHSRS regime15 Dec 2025