020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591 London | Birmingham | Cardiff
John accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers' work. As such, his practice encompasses Administrative & Public law, Planning & Environmental law, Information law, Inquests & Inquiries, Court of Protection, Regulatory law, Licensing and Housing.
John regularly appears in a range of courts and inquiries both on his own and as a junior. He can also be instructed directly as a public access barrister.
John joined Chambers in September 2017 after completing pupillage under the supervision of Andy Lane, Dean Underwood, Estelle Dehon and Philip Coppel QC. He is now developing a versatile practice encompassing all areas of Chambers' work. He is regularly instructed by a wide variety of public and private clients including local authorities and central government.
Before coming to the Bar, John worked at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and as a paralegal in a leading Irish law firm. He interned at JUSTICE and the Court of Justice of the European Union and tutored Public Law and European Law to undergraduate and postgraduate law students.
John has a degree in Law and French from Trinity College Dublin and a BCL degree from the University of Oxford (Worcester College).
John enjoys volunteering and is always looking for new volunteering opportunities. He is a Bar Pro Bono Unit volunteer and has previously volunteered with the Free Representation Unit, the Irish Innocence Project, the Voluntary Tuition Programme of Trinity College Dublin and Vocalise Prison Debating.
John is accredited for public access work. This means he can be instructed by anyone directly. Enquiries about this are welcomed.
22nd February 2021
John Fitszimons has written an article for the Housing Newsletter looking at the ICO's new data sharing Code of Practice which provides practical advice to businesses and organisations on how to carry out responsible data sharing.
The article looks at some of the practical questions that this raises for local housing authorities and social housing providers in dealing with their tenants' information and managing their properties.
Read the article HERE.
31st January 2021
John Fitzsimons has written a piece highlighting points of interest from decisions of the Upper Tribunal and First-tier Tribunal from January 2021 in the Freedom of Infromation Journal.
Read the piece HERE.
15th January 2021
In a new article published in the Freedom of Information Journal, John Fitzsimons highlights points of interest from decisions of the First-Tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal in October 2020.
1st October 2020
In a new article published in the Freedom of Information Journal, John Fitzsimons highlights points of interest from decisions of the First-Tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal in August and September 2020.
1st July 2020
In a new article published in the Freedom of Information Journal, John Fitzsimons highlight points of interest from decisions of the Court of Appeal and Upper Tribunal in June and July.
1st May 2020
In this article published in the Freedom of Information Journal, Ruchi Parekh and John Fitzsimons highlight points of interest from decisions of the Court of Appeal and Upper Tribunal in the last three months.
1st February 2020
In this article published by PDP Journals, Ruchi Parekh and John Fitzsimons highlight points of interest from decisions of the Court of Appeal and Upper Tribunal in December 2019.
1st July 2019
Josef and John have published a new article on the Journal of Licensing, Public nuisance in licensing.
The article seeks to provide a background to the law of public nuisance, both in its wider context and within the context of licensing. It seeks to assist decision-makers and applicants to understand how best to approach public nuisance issues in a licensing context. In doing so, it will also examine the more recent arrival of the agent of change principle in the planning context and consider how this and other matters may affect licensing in the future.
The article can be purchased on the Journal of Licensing website.
John is a member of JUSTICE, UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA), the Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA), the Planning and Environment Bar Association (PEBA), the Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA) and the Social Housing Law Association (SHLA).
He is a member of Lincoln's Inn and is a recipient of the Inn's Hardwicke Entrance Award, Lord Denning Scholarship, Buchanan prize and Hubert Greenland Scholarship.
News: Information Law
New article: Case Update in the Freedom of Information Journal
23rd March 2021
John Fitzsimons has written a piece highlighting points of interest from decisions of the Upper Tribunal and First-tier Tribunal from January 2021 in the Freedom of Infromation Journal. Read the piece....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
Inadequate Environmental Impact Assessment in Intensive Chicken Farming
11th March 2021
The High Court has quashed a planning permission for an intensive chicken farming facility in Shadingfield, East Suffolk. In Keating v East Suffolk Council [CO/4377/2020] the Claimant applied for permission to....Case: Planning and Environment
Supreme Court hears R (on the application of Fylde Coast Farms Ltd) v Fylde Borough Council
8th March 2021
On 9 March 2021, the Supreme Court will hear R (on the application of Fylde Coast Farms Ltd) v Fylde Borough Council. The Court will consider the correct interpretation of....News: Housing
New Statutory Guidance on Data Sharing
19th February 2021
By John Fitzsimons In December 2020 the Information Commissioner’s Office (‘the ICO”) published its new Data Sharing Code of Practice. The Code aims to provide practical guidance for organisations about sharing....News: Information Law
15th January 2021
In a new article published in the Freedom of Information Journal, John Fitzsimons highlights points of interest from decisions of the First-Tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal in October 2020. To read....News: Information Law
New article: Case Update in the Freedom of Information Journal
21st July 2020
In this article published in the Freedom of Information Journal, Ruchi Parekh and John Fitzsimons highlight points of interest from information law decisions in April and May 2020.....News: Information Law
Schrems II – Say goodbye to the EU-US Privacy Shield
17th July 2020
Yesterday, the European Court of Justice handed down its eagerly anticipated judgment in Data Protection Commissioner v Facebook Ireland and Max Schrems (Case C-311/18). The decision will come as a....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment, Housing, Licensing, Information Law, Court of Protection, Health and Social Care, Local Government
NEW BRIEFING - Local authorities post COVID-19. All you need to know
1st July 2020
Local authorities have been instrumental in tackling the COVID-19 crisis and will play a pivotal role in the post-lockdown recovery. As a result, they are experiencing a surge in duties....News: Information Law
Information Rights by Philip Coppel QC will be published this month
18th May 2020
On 28 May Hart Publishing will be publishing the latest edition of Information Rights by Philip Coppel QC. Retaining the position it has held since first publication, the fifth edition of this....News: Information Law
Information Law – Guidance in the COVID-19 era
16th April 2020
By John Fitzsimons There has been plenty of guidance and other information published over the past few weeks to assist clients with managing data protection issues and we thought it may....News: Information Law
New article: Case Update in the Freedom of Information Journal
14th February 2020
In this article published in the Freedom of Information Journal, Ruchi Parekh and John Fitzsimons highlight points of interest from decisions of the Court of Appeal and Upper Tribunal in....News: Planning and Environment, Licensing
New article: Journal of Licensing, Public nuisance in licensing
1st July 2019
Josef and John have published a new article on the Journal of Licensing, Public nuisance in licensing. The article seeks to provide a background to the law of public nuisance, both....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
How high the permission hurdle? or When is an argument not arguable?
1st April 2019
Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (Brecon and Radnor Branch) v Welsh Ministers, Powys County Council and Hendy Windfarm Ltd [2019] EWHC 621 (Admin)
....News: Licensing
27th February 2019
By Riccardo Calzavara Uber, founded in San Francisco in 2009 and operating in London since 2012, is ubiquitous. Since then, it has been the subject of significant judicial consideration in a....News: Housing, Licensing
22nd January 2019
In September 2018 a team from Cornerstone Barristers provided legal advice to Peter Kyle MP concerning the phenomenon of sex for rent, whereby landlords offer free or discounted accommodation in....Case: Planning and Environment
19th November 2018
A planning Inspector has dismissed an appeal concerning a proposed housing scheme of up to 245 dwellings on land in South Oxfordshire adjacent to Reading. The decision is of particular note....News: Planning and Environment
Response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee's inquiry on fracking
24th April 2018
Some of our planning barristers have responded to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee's inquiry into planning guidance on fracking. You can read the response here. Our barristers have extensive experience in....News: Housing
29th March 2018
It will not surprise anybody to hear that this has been a busy period for all those involved in housing. On a personal level, that has included a successful appearance....Case: Licensing
8th February 2018
On Wednesday 7th February, the High Court quashed Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council's intended use policy for private hire drivers. The case will be of interest to licensing authorities and industry....Case: Planning and Environment
Housing scheme refused in-spite of 3-year land supply
11th September 2017
Ashley Bowes and John Fitzsimons have successfully represented Braintree District Council to resist an appeal for 65 residential units at Finchingfield Road, Steeple Bumpstead, Essex. The Inspector accepted the Council's submission....News: Housing
Cornerstone Housing Newsletter May 2017
4th May 2017
The Cornerstone Housing Newsletter includes...News: Housing, Property
Cornerstone Housing Newsletter - February 2017
6th February 2017
The Editor Speaks - Andy Lane The Housing and Planning Act 2016 Update - Tara O'Leary Homelessness Reduction Bill update 2016/17 - Matt Lewin Neighbourhood Planning Bill 2016/17 - Liam Wells Recent Housing....New article: Case Update in the Freedom of Information Journal
23rd March 2021
John Fitzsimons has written a piece highlighting points of interest from decisions of the Upper Tribunal and First-tier Tribunal from January 2021 in the Freedom of Infromation Journal. Read the piece....020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591
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