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
- Three new titles in the “Cornerstone On” series announced06 Aug 2024
- The Return of Onshore Wind09 Jul 2024
- Planning Law Survey 2024: 12 members of chambers highly rated by Planning Magazine28 Jun 2024
- Finch vs Surrey County Council: In groundbreaking decision, Supreme Court rules the grant of planning permission for oil production was unlawful for failing to assess the ‘downstream’ greenhouse gas emissions20 Jun 2024
- Finch v Surrey County Council: Supreme Court to hand down judgment in appeal concerning downstream emissions of fossil fuel projects18 Jun 2024
Cases
- Court of Appeal Rules Upper Tribunal Erred in Fettering Discretion Case Against Bradford Council10 Sep 2024
- Gypsy and traveller site not permitted in an SSSI/ancient woodland and valued landscape09 Aug 2024
- High Court upholds Council’s decision to revoke a certificate of lawfulness where false information submitted in respect of the location of piling work02 Aug 2024
- Court considers effect of the NPPF in relation to development within the setting of a National Landscape31 Jul 2024
- Remote licensing hearings are lawful, High Court rules11 Jul 2024