Asitha Ranatunga

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George Regan
George Regan, Senior Practice Manager
> People > Barristers > Asitha Ranatunga

Asitha Ranatunga specialises in planning and environment, and licensing law.

Within those fields, his practice incorporates related administrative and public law work. He regularly appears at public inquiries, hearings, and before the higher courts. His clients include developers and individuals as well as local authorities and residents’ groups.

Asitha provides strategic and legal advice across a range of sectors including development (residential, retail, and leisure), infrastructure (renewable energy and highways), and regulatory control (environmental enforcement).

In licensing, Asitha has considerable experience of contested appeals acting for the trade as well as defending licensing authority decisions.

Asitha brings approachability and pragmatism to all of his work and draws on over 20 years’ experience at the Bar. He is consistently ranked as a leading junior in the main guides to the profession:

  • “Asitha is an all-round pleasure to work with, with superior expertise in licensing.” Chambers and Partners 2025 (Licensing – Band 1 Ranking)
  • “Very eloquent in presenting complex points in simple and very persuasive terms. His licensing knowledge is second to none which allows him to effortlessly deal with any “curve balls” fired in his direction, adding to his persuasiveness.” Legal 500 2025
  • “Asitha is conscientious. He has a sound legal mind and is an outstanding advocate’ and has an “exceptional understanding of licensing law and procedure, as well as the ability to provide insightful, bespoke and practical advice.” Legal 500 2024 (Licensing)
  • “Asitha is somebody who can provide excellent advice and finds pragmatic solution to the most complicated problem.” Legal 500 2023 (Planning)
  • “Exceeds expectation, leaves no stone unturned and has a very good understanding of the client’s needs.” Legal 500 2022 (Planning)
  • “He is an excellent advocate, who gives solid, dependable advice.” Chambers and Partners 2020 (Licensing)
  • “Great interpersonal skills and has the ability to understand and interpret clients’ requirements.” Legal 500 2020 (Licensing)

Expertise

    Asitha is simply brilliant at his craft.

    Chambers UK Bar (2024)

    His licensing knowledge is second to none

    Legal 500 (2025)

    Asitha is an all-round pleasure to work with, with superior expertise in licensing.

    Chambers UK Bar (2025)

    He has a sound legal mind and is an outstanding advocate.

    Legal 500 (2024)

    An exceptional understanding of licensing law and procedure, as well as the ability to provide insightful, bespoke and practical advice.

    Legal 500 (2024)

    Asitha gives you confidence that is is always possible to defend even the most difficult case and does that with the attention to detail that is second to none.

    Chambers UK Bar (2023)

    He is a clear, concise and succinct advocate and I would relish encountering him again.

    Chambers UK Bar (2023)

    He has the ability to understand the issues and will always provide an honest and unreserved opinion while listening to the needs of the client.

    Chambers UK Bar (2022)

About Asitha

  • Directory quotes
    • Planning – “Asitha Ranatunga is an expert in all manner of planning cases. He often represents local authorities regarding their development plans and appears at examinations and challenges. He is also retained by individuals and organisations in their challenges to LPA decisions. He is frequently instructed at all stages of enforcement proceedings, and has handled a number of appeals and cases concerning the implementation of regulatory controls.” Chambers and Partners 2026
    • Planning – “He is an insightful lawyer with great client skills and an authoritative advocacy style.” Chambers and Partners 2026
    • Planning – “Asitha makes clients feel comfortable and confident, and leaves no stone unturned in his work.” Chambers and Partners 2026
    • Planning – “Asitha is incredibly knowledgeable, approachable when needed, and able to navigate sensitive matters and topics with ease.” Chambers and Partners 2026
    • Licensing – “Asitha Ranatunga regularly acts for councils in licensing review proceedings. He has been active in complex alcohol and public entertainment cases as well as new applications for festival licences.”  Chambers and Partners 2026
    • Licensing – “Asitha Ranatunga is excellent on his feet.” Chambers and Partners 2026
    • Licensing – “Asitha Ranatunga has excellent knowledge on gambling licensing.” Chambers and Partners 2026
    • Licensing – “Asitha Ranatunga is very approachable and keeps you informed at every stage of the case.” Chambers and Partners 2026
    • Licensing – “Asitha is an all-round pleasure to work with, with superior expertise in licensing.” Chambers and Partners 2025
    • Licensing – “”Asitha prepares well, communicates well with both solicitor and client, and presents complex issues with clarity and persuasiveness.” Chambers and Partners 2025
    • Licensing – “Very eloquent in presenting complex points in simple and very persuasive terms. His licensing knowledge is second to none which allows him to effortlessly deal with any “curve balls” fired in his direction, adding to his persuasiveness.” Legal 500 2025
    • Licensing – “Asitha is simply brilliant at his craft.” Chambers and Partners 2024
    • Planning – “Asitha is a really good High Court advocate”, “Asitha’s accessibility, responsiveness and expertise are second to none.” Chambers and Partners 2024
    • Licensing – “Asitha is conscientious. He has a sound legal mind and is an outstanding advocate’ and has an “exceptional understanding of licensing law and procedure, as well as the ability to provide insightful, bespoke and practical advice.” Legal 500 2024
    • Licensing – “We were really impressed not only with his manner, but also the way he communicated was excellent, as well as his knowledge of the relevant law.” “Asitha Ranatunga gave clear, measured advice on various aspects of the premises licensing regime as well as the best strategy for objecting to the application.” “Asitha is a great guy with a really effective understated presence. He is very thorough but pragmatic as well and very good with the client.” Chambers and Partners 2023
    • Planning – “Asitha gives you confidence that is is always possible to defend even the most difficult case and does that with the attention to detail that is second to none.” “He is a clear, concise and succinct advocate and I would relish encountering him again.” “He is a very calm and understanding person.” Chambers and Partners 2023 
    • Licensing – “Asitha is extremely efficient with his and his clients’ time preparing for hearings.” Legal 500 2023
    • Planning – “Asitha is somebody who can provide excellent advice and finds pragmatic solution to the most complicated problem. He is very robust with his advocacy and leaves no stones unturned in his preparation for hearings. His advice is thorough and complete.” Legal 500 2023
    • Licensing – “He always provides well-reasoned and considered advice. He has the ability to understand the issues and will always provide an honest and unreserved opinion of the matters in hand while listening to the needs of the client.” Chambers and Partners 2022
    • Planning – “Very robust, pragmatic and quick on his feet. Seems to be able always to find a workable solution especially when a situation doesn’t look good. Exceeds expectation, leaves no stone unturned and has a very good understanding of the client’s needs.” Legal 500 2022
    • Licensing – “Predominantly acts for local authorities on appeals and review proceedings involving the revocation of licences. He has recently been active in some high-profile taxi licensing and alcohol and public entertainment cases. Strengths: “He prepares meticulously and presents his case well.” Chambers and Partners 2021
    • Planning – “An expert in all manner of planning cases. He often represents local authorities regarding their development plans, and appears at examinations and challenges. He is also retained by individuals and organisations in their challenges to LPA decisions. He is frequently instructed at all stages of enforcement proceedings, and has handled a number of appeals and cases concerning the implementation of regulatory controls. Strengths: “He always provides excellent advice in a very calm and patient manner and is extremely well prepared at court hearings.” “Asitha shows real mastery of the documents and he turns that into brilliant advocacy.” Chambers and Partners 2021
    • Planning – “Asitha is a consistently reliable junior, who can be trusted to have complete mastery of the detail in any given case. He has a calm manner in court and in conference, and he was very popular with our clients under what were, for the clients, very difficult circumstances.” Legal 500 2021
    • Licensing – “Prepares meticulously and presents his case well. Uses his knowledge of licensing law to complement his environmental law practice.” Legal 500 2021
    • “He is an excellent advocate, who gives solid, dependable advice.” Chambers and Partners 2020
    • “He is very careful, going through matters diligently and logically. He works well on complex matters and has a measured view.” Chambers and Partners 2020
    • “Great interpersonal skills and has the ability to understand and interpret clients’ requirements”. Legal 500 2020
    • “When cross-examining, he establishing rapport with the witness, allowing him to extract concessions on key points.” Legal 500 2020
    • “He is a very commercially aware and detailed lawyer, who is astute and will always find a practical solution that works for the business.” “Completely honest and someone who does not pull his punches, he is very thorough and highly intelligent.” Chambers and Partners 2019
    • “He is lovely to work with, thoughtful and very supportive of his teams.” “He is technically adept, has a wonderful, calming manner with clients and is quick on his feet.” Chambers and Partners 2019
    • “An advocate with substantial appeals experience defending licensing authority decisions.” Legal 500 2018
    • “Good lawyer, articulate and unflustered, takes obvious care of the client’s interests and is forceful when necessary.” Legal 500 2018
    • “It’s his experience, his knowledge, and his approach to cases that impress. He’s always on top of the facts and thoroughly prepared.” “He makes things easy for us because he’s so well prepared and so well organised.” Chambers and Partners 2018 (Licensing)
    • “Asitha is highly approachable and immediately able to put clients at ease. His experience and understanding of the needs and demands of local authorities enable him to take a pragmatic approach to his advice.” “His style is calm but authoritative and persuasive. A particular strength is his detailed preparation: it is apparent that he has carried out thorough research, and explored and understood the issues.” Chambers and Partners 2018 (Planning)
    • “He has an excellent manner and is able to reassure clients even in the face of an uphill struggle.” Legal 500 2017
    • “An approachable barrister, who has an excellent manner with clients.” Legal 500 2017
    • “He is extremely hard-working, well prepared and very thorough.” “His written work is excellent – it’s to the point, relevant and easy to understand.” Chambers and Partners 2017 (Licensing)
    • “He has an efficient and effective approach to work and problem-solving. His ability to take in information and act upon it under time-limited conditions is very impressive.” “Quick and clear advice.” Chambers and Partners 2017 (Planning)
    • “Recommended for local authority representation.” Legal 500 2016 (Planning)
    • “He provides exceptionally clear and concise advice, and is a joy to work with.” Legal 500 2016 (Licensing)
    • “He is very intelligent and has an ability to put clients at ease from the first moment he meets them.” Chambers and Partners 2016 (Planning)
    • “He is very focused, intelligent and good with clients. In court he exudes quiet confidence, which can be very effective.” Chambers and Partners 2016 (Licensing)
    • “Provides excellent advice and turns it around very quickly.” Legal 500 2015 (Planning)
    • “Does a very thorough job; he knows what he is doing and does it very well.” Legal 500 2015 (Licensing)
  • Services

    Asitha is well regarded in licensing circles for the training he provides on licensing law, practice and procedure. He has regularly provided training on behalf of the Institute of Licensing on various current issues within licensing law.

    Asitha delivered a paper on AONB and valued landscape constraints in appeal decisions at PEBA’s National Conference 2017 (where the inaugural Francis Patterson paper was given by Lord Justice Lindblom). Asitha is a regular contributor to Cornerstone’s Annual Planning Day and training events.

  • Associations

    • Planning and Environment Bar Association (PEBA)
    • United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (UKELA)
    • Institute of Licensing (IOL)
    • Constitutional and Administrative Bar Association (ALBA)

  • Publications
  • Events
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