Jack Parker

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Jack specialises in administrative and public law, planning and environment and property law and has expertise in a range of related areas including commercial, local authority governance & services, and licensing law.

He advises and acts on behalf of public authorities, developers, private organisations and individuals. He can also receive instructions directly from members of the public.

He is described as having “a substantial reputation due to his robust appearances in the High Court” and “an encyclopedic knowledge of his cases which is staggering to behold” as well as being “user-friendly”, “approachable”, and “easy to work with.”

He appears regularly in the High Court, County Court and at planning inquiries and has appeared in many other courts and tribunals (including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court).

Expertise

Planning and Environment
Jack is experienced in all aspects of planning and compulsory purchase law and appears regularly at planning inquiries and in the High Court in judicial review, statutory appeal and injunctive proceedings.

Jack’s work spans the full range of sectors and recent significant instructions have included planning inquiries in respect of fracking, an energy from waste incinerator, a flour mill, a ferry terminal and a variety of housing developments.

High Court appearances have related to the interpretation of planning permissions, conditions, consultation, green belt, heritage, appropriate assessment, EIA, s106 Agreements and Neighbourhood Plans.

Recent and ongoing cases include:
- Parker House, Hemel Hempstead: Planning inquiry in respect of office to residential conversion
- R(Buxton) v Cambridge CC [2021] EWHC 2028 (Admin): “Reversibility” of works affecting heritage assets
- Patel v SSHCLG [2021] EWHC 2115 (Admin): Interpretation of noise condition
- R(Swainsthorpe Parish Council) v Norfolk CC [2021] EWHC 1014 (Admin): Consultation
- Chelmsford BC v Leisure Parks Real Estate (Holdings) Limited [2021] EWHC 613 (QB): Interpretation of inaccurate plan on planning permission
- Land at Birchgrove Road, Horsted Keynes: planning inquiry in respect of 32 affordable dwellings
- Thame Town Council v SSHCLG [2021] EWHC 291 (Admin): interpretation of planning policy
- Gathercole v Suffolk County Council [2020] EWCA Civ 1179: ES ‘alternatives’ and Public sector equality duty
- Site of the former Hazeldens Nursery, Albourne: planning inquiry in respect of 84 ‘extra care’ units
- R(Thurloe Lodge Limited) v RBKC [2020] EWHC 2381 (Admin): Officers’ reports, heritage, residential amenity and interpretation of planning policy in relation to planning permission for an underground car lift
- Green Lane Chertsey (Developments) Limited v SSHCLG [2019] EWHC 990 (Admin): Presumption in favour of sustainable development
- South Gloucestershire Council v SSHCLG and Welbeck Strategic Land LLP [2019] EWHC 181 (Admin) (with Mark Lowe QC): Prematurity
- R(Lakenheath Parish Council) v Suffolk County Council [2019] EWHC 978 (Admin) (with Richard Ground QC): Article 8 ECHR, the public sector equality duty and the assessment of alternatives as part of the EIA
- North Yorkshire Minerals and Waste Joint Plan (January 2019): soundness of “fracking” policies
- R (Howell) v Waveney DC [2018] EWHC 3388 (Admin): Conditions precedent and EIA in relation to a wind turbine
- R(Sefton MBC) v Highways England [2018] EWHC 3059 (Admin) (with Tom Cosgrove QC): Statutory duties of Highways England in relation to the Port of Liverpool Bypass
- Hoddesdon energy from waste incinerator (summer 2018): Called-in six-week planning inquiry in respect of plant for all Hertfordshire’s domestic waste
- Benson v SSCLG [2018] EWHC 2354 (Admin): Fairness at planning inquiries
- Euro Garages Ltd v SSCLG [2018] EWHC 1753 (Admin): Green Belt
- Cheshire East v SSCLG [2018] EWHC 1524 (Admin): Conflict with Neighbourhood Plan
- R (Shimbles) v City of Bradford MDC [2018] EWHC 195 (Admin) (with Philip Coppel QC): Heritage assets and appropriate assessment under the Habitats Regulations
- R (Bishop) v Westminster Council [2017] EWHC 3102 (Admin): Consultation
- Bohm v SSCLG [2017] EWHC 3217 (Admin): Heritage Assets
- R (Wet Finishing Works Ltd) v Taunton and Deane BC [2017] EWHC 1837 (Admin): consultation requirements in respect of s.106 agreements
- Land North of Cranham Road, Chelmsford: planning inquiry in respect of the relocation of the Marriage Flour Mill
- Red Funnel Ferry Terminal, Isle of Wight: planning inquiry in respect of the redevelopment of the Red Funnel Ferry Terminal at East Cowes
- 24 High Street, Marton: CPO inquiry in respect of empty home
- Oakley v South Cambridgeshire DC [2017] EWCA Civ 71 (Admin): scope of common law duty to give reasons for the grant of planning permission
- RLT Built Environment Ltd v Cornwall Council [2016] EWHC 2817 (Admin) (with Mark Lowe QC): Challenge to second homes restrictions in St Ives neighbourhood plan
- R (Hilton) v SSCLG [2016] EWHC 1861 (Admin): scope of residential permitted development rights
- Land at Roseacre Wood (with Robin Green): First planning inquiry in relation to “fracking” in Lancashire by Cuadrilla
- R (Hill) v Cornwall Council [2016] EWHC 1264 (Admin): assessment by planning committee of noise impacts and the enforceability of conditions
- Noquet v SSCLG [2016] EWHC 209 (Admin): certificates of lawful use
- Collins v SSCLG [2016] EWHC 5 (Admin): enforcement notices and the disposal of waste
Public Law and Judicial Review
Jack acts and advises in a wide range of administrative and public law matters and appears regularly in the High Court in judicial review claims and other courts and Tribunals in relation to related public and administrative law proceedings.

Jack has particular expertise in public law issues which arise out of planning, housing and homelessness and local authority governance. He is able to provide advice, review pleadings and witness statements and act on behalf of claimants and public authorities at short notice.

Recent cases raising public law issues of interest in which Jack has acted include:
- HHRC Ltd v Hackney LB [2021] EWHC 2440 (Admin): Low traffic neighbourhoods, Covid-19, public sector equality duty, consultation
- R(Swainsthorpe Parish Council) v Norfolk CC [2021] EWHC 1014 (Admin): Consultation
- R(Lakenheath Parish Council) v Suffolk County Council [2019] EWHC 978 (Admin) (with Richard Ground QC): Article 8 ECHR and the public sector equality duty
- R(Sefton MBC) v Highways England [2018] EWHC 3059 (Admin) (with Tom Cosgrove QC): Statutory duties of Highways England in relation to the Port of Liverpool Bypass
- Onwuje v SSHD [2018] EWCA Civ 331: Article 8 Right to a private and family life in the context of economic benefits
- R (Norwich Livestock Market Ltd) v Norwich City Council [2018] EWHC 648 (Admin) in relation to the powers and duties of the Council as regards a market
- R (Bishop) v Westminster Council [2017] EWHC 3102 (Admin): Consultation in respect of planning applications
- R(Wet Finishing Works Ltd) v Taunton and Deane BC [2017] EWHC 1837 (Admin): consultation requirements in respect of section 106 agreements
- Oakley v South Cambridgeshire DC [2016] EWHC 570 (Admin) in relation to the common law duty of fairness to give reasons
- R (Hill) v Cornwall Council [2016] EWHC 1264 (Admin) in relation to the assessment of expert evidence and discretionary remedies
- R(Western Power Distribution Investments Ltd) v Cardiff County Council [2013] EWHC 1407 (Admin) in relation to the appropriation of land
Local authority governance and services

Jack’s expertise extends to all matters of local authority governance, including:
- Executive arrangements
- Conduct and standards
- Elections
- Delegation
- Data protection and data sharing
- Powers and duties
Jack has particular expertise in matters of information law and is able to advise public authorities and requesters of information in relation to the lawfulness of withholding information from disclosure, as well as drafting representations and appearing on behalf of parties in the First Tier Tribunal (Information Rights).

Jack has authored a variety of articles in relation to Local Authority Governance for Westlaw Insight.
Property
Jack acts and advises in relation to a wide variety of property law matters, including:
- Landlord and tenant disputes, including interpretation of leases
- Possession proceedings
- Easements and rights of way
- Restrictive covenants
- Adverse possession
- Service charges
Jack has experience of appearing in a variety of courts and tribunals, including in particular, the High Court, the County Court, the Upper Tribunal and the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).

Recent cases of interest include:
- Gibbs v Clevedon Court (Dulwich) RTM Co Ltd [2017] UKUT 0411 (LC) in relation to the assessment of expert evidence by the FTT
- Hastings Borough Council v Manolete Partners PLC UKSC 2014/0159 (with Steven Gasztowicz QC) in relation to the interpretation of the Building Act 1984 and whether Hastings BC is liable to pay compensation to the assignee of an operator of a bingo hall and amusement arcade on Hastings Pier
- Armstrong v Onyearu [2015] EWHC 1937 (Ch) on the principle of the equity of exoneration
Jack has also recently appeared on behalf of Hackney LB in the First-tier tribunal (Property Chamber) in an application to determine whether major works service charges were payable (of which the total value was over £1m).
Commercial and Regulatory
Jack acts and advises in relation to commercial disputes of all kinds and much of his work in other areas has a commercial element.

Jack also appears regularly in the civil courts in relation to contractual disputes of all kinds. Recent cases have involved:
- Claim for unpaid fees on behalf of an agency acting for a racing driver
- Claim for unjust enrichment arising out of payment of business rates
- Claim for unpaid cancellation fees
- Interpretation of s106 Agreement
- Supreme Court considers statutory meaning of ‘in default’: Hastings BC v Manolete Partners plc01 Jan 2018
- Court Of Appeal Finds Council Must Pay Compensation Under Building Act 1984 To Assignee Of Business Operator Who Admitted Public To Premises On Dangerous Structure01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter February 201701 Jan 2018
Licensing
- Overview
- News
Jack is able to advise and represent local authorities, responsible authorities, license-holders and third parties in relation to all matters arising under the Licensing Act 2003. He appears before Licensing Sub-Committees, Magistrates’ Courts and in the High Court.

Jack has appeared regularly on behalf of the Security Industry Authority in Magistrates’ Courts appeals.

Recent instructions have raised issues conditions relating to the sale of alcohol, cumulative impact and special area policies.
Housing
Jack regularly advises and appears on behalf of local authorities, social housing associations, commercial and private landlords and tenants in relation all aspects of housing law.

He is also experienced in urgent housing-related judicial review matters and can advise, review pleadings and witness statements and appear on behalf of both claimants and local authorities at short notice.

His expertise includes:
- possession and injunctive proceedings;
- secure, assured, assured shorthold, and introductory tenancies;
- anti-social behaviour, drug-related conduct and other nuisance: litigation & policy;
- Equality Act 2010;
- trespassers;
- service charges;
- disrepair;
- housing benefit;
- housing and allocations policy;
- local authority and housing association powers;
- homelessness and homelessness strategies;
- housing finance;
- the right to buy and right to acquire.
- Cornerstone Housing Newsletter – August 201601 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter February 201701 Jan 2018

He has an encyclopedic knowledge of his cases which is staggering to behold and he puts his case across in a robust and concise manner.
Chambers UK Bar (2021)

Jack is a very impressive advocate with a clear understanding of his case which comes through expertly in submissions.
Legal 500 (2021)

Jack is excellent to work with due to his ability to quickly assess the case and set out arguments for the inquiry.
Legal 500 (2023)

About Jack

Directory Quotes
- Planning – “Jack Parker possesses a substantial reputation due to his robust appearances in the High Court on a range of planning matters, including town and country concerns and local neighbourhood plans. He represents LPAs, individuals and businesses.” Strengths: “He is helpful, readily available to speak and very good at getting to the issue required.” “He is very good in writing and is thoughtful. He showed the ability to grasp the details of a very complex case too.” “Jack is someone with particularly sound judgement and someone I would endorse.” “He is astute, really gets to the point and has a really good eye for detail.” “He has excellent written advice and discussion.” Chambers and Partners 2023
- Planning – “Jack is excellent to work with due to his ability to quickly assess the case and set out arguments for the inquiry. Jack works well with all witnesses and enables them to feel at ease, particularly in preparation for cross-examination.” Legal 500 2023
- Planning – “Jack is very incisive and a good cross-examiner.” “He is clear in his advice and totally reliable.” Chambers and Partners 2022
- Planning – “He has an encyclopedic knowledge of his cases which is staggering to behold and he puts his case across in a robust and concise manner which puts the witness at ease.” “He is very user-friendly and provides excellent advice.” Chambers and Partners 2021
- “Jack is a very impressive advocate with a clear understanding of his case which comes through expertly in submissions. Thorough understanding of planning law. Very approachable and easy to work with. His calm and confident persona puts clients at ease and manages to produce the results required! Definitely my barrister of choice!.” Legal 500 2021
- “Jack is an excellent advocate who provides thorough, practical advice. He is very approachable, accessible and pragmatic in his approach.” “He has good in-depth knowledge of the key planning issues and is able to cut through complexities to the main issues.” Chambers and Partners 2020
- “Diligent and capable, he strikes up a good relationship with the court”. Legal 500 2020
- “He gives clear, objective and balanced advice and is helpful strategically and procedurally.” “He is very responsive and considers wider strategy and risk. He is a strong advocate and very pleasant to work with.” Chambers and Partners 2019
- “Passionate, and exceptionally bright, he always made time to discuss matters.” Legal 500 2018
- “He has a winning combination of approachability and intensity which makes his participation in discussions very valuable. He is a man of incisive judgement.” Chambers and Partners 2018
Associations
- Planning and Environment Bar Association (PEBA)
Publications
- Cornerstone on the Planning Court29 Oct 2015
- Article 8 Procedural Rights – Extending the Principle in R (Clue) v Birmingham CC14 Sep 2015
Notable Cases