Hannah Taylor

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Hannah Taylor specialises in environmental, planning and public law. In June 2026, ENDS Report named Hannah as a rising star in its annual power list of environmental professionals. Hannah is also a member of the cross-disciplinary Cornerstone Climate team.

Since joining Cornerstone, Hannah has appeared in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, the High Court, and public inquiries. She has featured in leading cases across chambers’ areas of specialism, notable instructions including:

Munícipio de Mariana and Ors v BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd [2025] EWHC 3001 (TCC) – Acted for more than 620,000 Brazilian claimants in proceedings brought against BHP Group relating to the collapse of the Fundão Dam, considered to be the biggest environmental disaster in Brazil’s history.
C.G. Fry & Son Limited v (1) Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities & (2) Somerset Council [2025] UKSC 35 – Led by Estelle Dehon KC and Nina Pindham, Hannah represented Wildlife and Countryside Link, who intervened in writing in the Supreme Court.
Beacon Cymru Group Limited v Mitchell [2025] EWHC 2477 (Ch) – Led by Ranjit Bhose KC and Tara O’Leary, Hannah represented the contract-holders (i.e. tenants) in the trial of the counterclaims, consequent on the judgment in Coastal Housing Group v Mitchell [2024] EWHC 2831 (CH).

Hannah holds a 1^st class degree in law from the University of Oxford. She was awarded a full scholarship to study the BCL at Oxford where she achieved a Distinction, focusing primarily on Environmental Law and Human Rights Law.

Expertise

Planning, Environment and Climate
Hannah Taylor has a busy planning and environmental practice, with a particular interest in environmental work. Her clients include local authorities, developers, NGOs, community groups, and individuals.

Hannah acted for the successful claimants in Munícipio de Mariana and Ors v BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd [2025] EWHC 3001 (TCC) (led by various, including Alain Choo Choy KC and Andrew Fulton KC). The claim was brought by approximately 620,000 claimants against BHP Group in relation to the collapse of the Fundão Dam, considered to be the biggest environmental disaster in Brazil’s history. In November 2025, the High Court ruled that BHP were strictly liable under Brazilian Environmental Law and were also liable based on fault in respect of the damage caused by the collapse, pursuant to Article 186 of the Civil Code of Brazil.

Hannah has acted in the following claims for judicial and statutory review:
- C. G. Fry & Son Limited v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities & Somerset Council [2025] UKSC 35 – Led by Estelle Dehon KC and Nina Pindham, Hannah represented Wildlife and Countryside Link, intervening in writing in the Supreme Court. The written submissions argued that the Court of Appeal’s interpretation of the Habitats Regulations was correct, by reference to the architecture of the planning system, the centrality of the precautionary principle to the Habitats regime, and the appropriate use of planning conditions.
- Luton And District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise v Secretary of State for Transport [2025] EWHC 3206 (Admin) – Led by Estelle Dehon KC and Ruchi Parekh, Hannah represented the Claimant in a judicial review challenging the decision by the Secretary of State to grant a development consent order for the proposed expansion of Luton Airport. The grounds of challenge included the scope of climate impacts that need to be assessed in light of the judgment in R (on the application of Finch) v Surrey County Council and others.
- R (Davis) v Isle of Wight Council [2026] EWHC 1718 (Admin) – Led by Jack Parker, Hannah represented the Isle of Wight Council in a case concerning the requirements of procedural fairness when sharing draft officer reports with an applicant for planning permission.
- Lochailort Kentford Limited v (1) West Suffolk Council; (2) SSCLG [2026] EWHC 1870 (Admin) – Led by Ruchi Parekh, Hannah represented West Suffolk Council resisting a statutory review of their decision to adopt a local plan.
Hannah’s experience in planning proceedings includes:
- Led by Ed Grant, represented a local planning authority in a 4-week inquiry concerning a proposed development for an energy from waste facility.
- Sole counsel representing a local planning authority in an enforcement appeal inquiry.
- Led by Josef Cannon KC, advised a developer as to an appeal against a refusal of a planning application on the basis of Green Belt and flood risk issues.
- Led by Richard Ground KC, advised on heritage issues relating to a prospective planning application.
- Led by James Findlay KC, advised a local planning authority as to a proposed judicial review claim relating to the approval of reserved matters.
- Sole counsel providing pro bono advice to a number of different individuals and community action groups through the Environmental Law Foundation.
- Sole counsel advising a developer as to an appeal against a refusal of a planning application on the basis of flood risk issues.
Hannah has particular expertise in Environmental Impact Assessment and issues relating to the Habitats Regulations.

Hannah regularly speaks at conferences and seminars on recent developments in environmental law both domestically and internationally.
Public Law & Judicial Review
Hannah represents claimants and defendants in judicial review proceedings. Her recent instructions include:
- C. G. Fry & Son Limited v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities & Somerset Council [2025] UKSC 35 – Led by Estelle Dehon KC and Nina Pindham, Hannah represented Wildlife and Countryside Link, intervening in writing in the Supreme Court. The written submissions argued that the Court of Appeal’s interpretation of the Habitats Regulations was correct, by reference to the architecture of the planning system, the centrality of the precautionary principle to the Habitats regime, and the appropriate use of planning conditions.
- Luton And District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise v Secretary of State for Transport [2025] EWHC 3206 (Admin) – Led by Estelle Dehon KC and Ruchi Parekh, Hannah represented the Claimant in a judicial review challenging the decision by the Secretary of State to grant a development consent order for the proposed expansion of Luton Airport. The grounds of challenge included the scope of climate impacts that need to be assessed in light of the judgment in R (on the application of Finch) v Surrey County Council and others.
- R (Davis) v Isle of Wight Council [2026] EWHC 1718 (Admin) – Led by Jack Parker, Hannah is represented the Isle of Wight Council in a case concerning the requirements of procedural fairness when sharing draft officer reports with an applicant for planning permission.
- Lochailort Kentford Limited v (1) West Suffolk Council; (2) SSCLG [2026] EWHC 1870 (Admin) – Led by Ruchi Parekh, Hannah represented West Suffolk Council resisting a statutory review of their decision to adopt a local plan.
- Led by Riccardo Calzavara, representing a Claimant parish council in a challenge to the grant of planning permission on the basis of consistency of decision-making in relation to the loss of Grade 1 agricultural land.
- Hannah has appeared in the High Court acting for a local authority resisting an application for permission to apply for judicial review in relation to the exercise of the local authority’s discretion under s.188(3) Housing Act 1996.
- Hannah has advised a number of local authorities on the merits of proposed judicial review claims, and drafted responses to PAP letters.
- Hannah has also advised individuals and community groups on the merits of judicial review claims, including drafting PAP letters.
- Major nature charity intervenes in CG Fry Supreme Court appeal being heard today 17 Feb 2025
Housing and Property
Led by Ranjit Bhose KC and Tara O’Leary, Hannah represented the contract-holders (i.e. tenants) in the trial of the counterclaims in Beacon Cymru Group Limited v Mitchell [2025] EWHC 2477 (Ch). The counterclaims were consequent on the judgment in Coastal Housing Group v Mitchell [2024] EWHC 2831 (Ch) where the Divisional Court confirmed that rent is not payable by contract-holders if and so long as their landlords have failed to obtain an electrical condition report for their home or to provide a copy to them. The contract-holders brought counterclaims for restitution, seeking repayment of rent during the period when they had not received copies of their ECRs, on the basis that they were unaware that rent was not payable.

Hannah has appeared in the High Court acting for a local authority resisting an application for permission to apply for a judicial review in relation to the exercise of the local authority’s discretion under s.188(3) Housing Act 1996. Hannah has also advised a local authority in relation to a proposed judicial review of a banding decision under their allocation policy for social housing.

Hannah regularly appears in the county courts in various different housing matters. In particular, Hannah has:
- Appeared for housing associations seeking injunctions under s.1 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
- Drafted particulars of claim seeking possession under Ground 7A and Ground 14 of the Housing Act 1988, in a case of serious anti-social behaviour.
- Acted for local authorities and housing associations in a number of cases in which possession was sought on the ground that the tenant had lost security of tenure by unlawfully subletting the property.
- Obtained a closure order for a local authority.
- Acted for a local authority seeking possession under Ground 15A, Housing Act 1985.
- Hearings in important test case on fitness for human habitation within rented premises in Wales29 Jul 2025
- Cornerstone Barristers celebrates strong results in The Legal 500 202701 Oct 2026
- Making conscientious and lawful out of borough offers of accommodation under Part 7 of the Housing Act 199626 Feb 2024