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.
News
- Ben Du Feu, Olivia Davies and Jack Barber appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown27 Aug 2025
- What the Epping Forest injunction case means for local authorities across England21 Aug 2025
- PSPO expert Kuljit Bhogal KC quoted in Observer article on UK abortion clinic buffer zones18 Aug 2025
- Cornerstone Barristers Appoints New Joint Heads of Chambers23 Jul 2025
- New Leadership for Cornerstone Barristers Planning and Environment Team15 Jul 2025
Cases
- Epping Forest District Council v Somani Hotels Ltd01 Sep 2025
- Philip Coppel KC and Natasha Peter secure interim injunction for Epping Forest Council over use of Bell Hotel for asylum seeker accommodation20 Aug 2025
- Excluded by definition: the narrow reading of “stepchild” and housing succession claims 07 Aug 2025
- Court of Appeal upholds legality of homelessness database01 Aug 2025
- Court of Appeal Hears Case on Definition of ‘Stepchild’ in Housing Succession Policy25 Jul 2025