Jack Parker

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Jack Parker specialises in planning, environment and administrative law and has expertise in a range of related areas including compulsory purchase, highways, commercial and local authority governance & services.

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.

Jack 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).

Jack is a member of the Attorney General’s B Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown.

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 a variety of developments including housing, energy and transport infrastructure.

High Court appearances have related to the interpretation of planning permissions, conditions, consultation, green belt, heritage, appropriate assessment, EIA, s106 Agreements, the operation of the GPDO and the revocation of a certificate of lawfulness.

Recent and ongoing cases include:
- Darwin Green, Cambridge: Called-in planning inquiry in respect of large residential scheme in Cambridge. Issue of water supply.
- Mid Suffolk District Council v SSLUHC [2024] EWHC 930 (Admin): Challenge to grant of permission for housing scheme by reference to housing land supply issues
- Ardleigh Parish Council v Tendring District Council [2024] EWHC 648 (Admin): Challenge to grant of permission for food distribution centre by reference to AONB
- Land at Sondes Place Farm, Dorking: Planning inquiry in respect of 144 dwellings in the Green Belt
- Moore v Somerset Council [2023] EWHC 2544 (KB): Challenge to grant of permission for large mixed-use scheme by reference to misinterpretation of development plan policy
- R(Save Britain’s Heritage) v Herefordshire Council [2022] EWHC 2984 (Admin) and [2023] EWCA Civ 723: Operation of permitted development rights in respect of the demolition of a heritage asset
- Land at South Street, Dorking: Planning inquiry in respect of residential redevelopment to provide 63 dwellings
- Leconfield House, Westminster: Planning inquiry in respect of the conversion of a large central London office block to a private members’ club
- Land East of Turner’s Hill Road: Planning inquiry in respect of greenfield residential development
- R(HFAG) v Buckinghamshire Council [2022] EWHC 523 (Admin): Challenge to grant of permission for a large housing scheme by reference to the provision of healthcare services
- 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
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, highways 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:
- R(Save Britain’s Heritage) v Herefordshire Council [2022] EWHC 2984 (Admin) and [2023] EWCA Civ 723: operation of permitted development rights in respect of the demolition of a heritage asset
- SM (A Child) v Hackney LB [2021] EWHC 3294 (Admin): Low traffic neighbourhoods, public sector equality duty
- 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).
- Cornerstone on Councillors’ Conduct01 Jan 2018

Jack is a compelling advocate for his clients. He is personable, practical and highly articulate, and has excellent strategic judgement.
Legal 500 (2025)

Jack holds his own way beyond his seniority. He has a composure and assuredness that instils confidence in judges and inspectors and is quite unshakable even in the face of challenge.
Legal 500 (2024)

Even though he is an excellent lawyer and advocate, it is his personal qualities that stand out and set him apart – unflappable, measured, constructive, settled and confident. Just what every client looks for.
Legal 500 (2024)

His grasp of the matter and his ability to deliver amazing advocacy and support were exceptional.
Chambers UK Bar (2024)

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)

About Jack

Directory Quotes
- “Jack is a compelling advocate for his clients. He is personable, practical and highly articulate, and has excellent strategic judgement. His cross-examination is forensic and he has a great attention to detail. Jack easily builds rapport and is great at leading or being part of a wider team.” Legal 500 2025
- “His grasp of the matter and his ability to deliver amazing advocacy and support were exceptional.” Chambers and Partners 2024
- “Jack holds his own way beyond his seniority. He has a composure and assuredness that instils confidence in judges and inspectors and is quite unshakable even in the face of challenge. He is well-prepared, sensible, straight forward and constructive in his dealings with opponents. Even though he is an excellent lawyer and advocate, it is his personal qualities that stand out and set him apart – unflappable, measured, constructive, settled and confident. Just what every client looks for.” Legal 500 2024
- “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
- “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
- “Jack is very incisive and a good cross-examiner.” “He is clear in his advice and totally reliable.” Chambers and Partners 2022
- “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
Notable Cases
Events