020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591 London | Birmingham | Cardiff
Matt specialises in Administrative and Public law, Housing, Health and Social Care, Planning and Environmental Law and Licensing law.
Matt is regularly instructed to advise and represent private individuals, residents' groups, non-governmental organisations, local authorities, housing associations, private companies and central government departments.
Matt specialises in Administrative and Public law, Housing, Health and Social Care, Planning and Environmental Law and Licensing law.
Matt is regularly instructed to advise and represent private individuals, residents' groups, non-governmental organisations, local authorities, housing associations, private companies and central government departments.
Matt previously worked as a housing officer for the London Borough of Camden and has also worked on secondment as an in-house lawyer.
Matt has developed a thriving practice in Planning and Environmental Law. Matt is regularly instructed by private individuals, residents' groups, non-governmental associations, local authorities, companies and public bodies in the whole range of planning and environmental matters:
• applications for planning permission
• challenges to grants of planning permission in the High Court
• appeals against refusals of planning permission
• public inquiries
• planning enforcement
• statutory appeals and challenges
• amenity notices
• mineral planning permissions
• environmental permitting
• waste planning
• climate change
• town and village greens
• compulsory purchase orders and compensation claims
• listed buildings and conservation areas
Matt has developed a particular expertise in environmental permitting and regularly provides advice on permitting decisions by the Environment Agency.
Matt was instructed to represent Friends of the Earth at the major fracking inquiry in Lancashire which took place over 5 weeks in early 2016. Matt is also a regular volunteer with Friends of the Earth's planning and environmental legal advice service.
Matt represented the Claimant in R (Barron) v Lambeth LBC and succeeded in quashing the planning permission which would have led to the closure of an historic Brixton nightclub. Matt is particularly interested in cases such as this which draw on his expertise in both planning and licensing law.
Matt has detailed experience in virtually all areas of housing law:
• possession claims and warrant suspensions
• discretionary and mandatory claims for possession
• rent arrears
• anti-social behaviour
• tenancy fraud
• homelessness
• HMOs
• gas and access injunctions
• disrepair
• long leases
• enforcement of leasehold covenants
• mutual exchange and assignment
Matt's depth of housing knowledge draws on his previous work as a housing officer for the London Borough of Camden and his secondment to a housing association where he worked as an in-house lawyer. As a result, Matt employs a practical, common sense approach to all of his work on behalf of his clients.
Matt has a busy and growing practice in licensing and works in virtually all areas of licensable activity: alcohol, regulated entertainment, taxis, gambling, sexual entertainment venues and street trading. Matt is routinely instructed by licence holders, applicants, local authorities, the police and objectors. Matt advises and represents his clients at hearings before committees, appeal hearings at the magistrates' court and Crown Court and in prosecutions.
Matt's licensing work includes:
• premises licensing
• hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licensing
• sexual entertainment venue licensing
• street trading licensing
• gambling licensing
• advising on licensing applications
• representing clients at review hearings before licensing committees
• interim steps and summary review hearings
• advising and appearing at licensing appeals
• prosecuting and defending in illegal taxi, alcohol and trading standards prosecutions
Matt's practice extends to a range of civil and commercial litigation matters. He has acted in successful restitutionary claims and claims for breach of contract and was recently instructed by a local authority as a junior in a six-day trial in the High Court.
Matt is regularly instructed on applications for interim remedies, to advise, draft and appear at the hearing. Having spent some time on secondment to the legal department of a leading housing association, he has a strong grasp of the conduct of litigation, and is able to draft applications and claims from scratch, and at short notice, if required.
Matt is experienced in applications before the Companies Court representing petitioning creditors in winding-up applications.
Matt has experience in prosecuting regulatory offences in both the magistrates' court and the Crown Court. His recent cases have included:
Matt has also advised a parish council on dealing with the threat of a noise abatement notices and, during his pupillage, assisted with a successful prosecution for breach of a noise abatement notice.
Matt is regularly instructed in cases concerning adult social services and children's services. Matt's recent work in this area has included:
• R (O) v Lambeth LBC [2016] EWHC 937 (Admin): Matt was instructed by the Claimant in a challenge to a children in need assessment
• R (A and B) v C County Council: Matt represented the Defendant local authority in a claim for negligence
• advising a service user on a claim for unpaid domiciliary care charges
• advising a local authority on a deprivation of liberty case involving a service user with no leave to remain
Matt was a member of the Cornerstone team selected by the Local Government Association to provide training to local authorities across the country on the implementation of the Care Act 2014. Matt also has particular experience of cases involving service users with no recourse to public funds and provides training on this subject to local authority social workers.
Matt is regularly instructed to bring and defend public law challenges in the Administrative Court, across all of his practice areas: Housing; Health and Social Care; Planning and Environmental; and Licensing. Matt is experienced in drafting urgent applications and grounds at short notice.
Among Matt's recent cases are:
• R (O) v Lambeth LBC [2016] EWHC 937 (Admin): Matt was instructed by the Claimant in a challenge to a children in need assessment
• R (Salwa) v Epsom and Ewell BC: Matt represented the successful local authority in a challenge to a refusal to provide interim accommodation pending review
• R (Barron) v Lambeth LBC: Matt represented the Claimant and successfully quashed the grant of a planning permission which would have led to the loss of an historic Brixton nightclub
Matt has a busy practice in information law, covering data protection, Freedom of Information and the Environmental Information Regulations.
He regularly advises and provides training for public authorities on their obligations under FOIA and EIR and provides commentary for Lexis Nexis on these subjects.
Matt is also a data protection specialist and was part of the Cornerstone team that advised the Government on the preparation of the new Data Protection Act 2018.
Matt represents companies, individuals in data protection litigation and has been busy throughout much of the last year advising local authorities on preparing for the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation.
25th May 2017
Matt Lewin has written a column for the Birmingham Post on the impact of General Data Protection Regulation on companies and the role of a data protection officer. Click here to read the full article.
3rd October 2016
Matt Lewin has written an article for The Planner in which he considers how the planning system can be used to protect night time economies under threat from regeneration and permitted development in town centres. Click here to read the full article.
1st March 2016
18th December 2015
Local Government Lawyer has reported the High Court decision to grant permission on all grounds to challenge the decision of Lambeth Council to grant consent for development which would have resulted in the closure of Club 414 in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton.
Jonathan Clay and Matt Lewin of Cornerstone Barristers are acting on behalf of the manager of Club 414.
Read the full article here.
2nd November 2015
Local Government Lawyer has reported on the decision by the owners of Club 414 in Brixton to bring a judicial review claim in relation to Lambeth Council's decision to grant planning permission for a change of building use.
Jonathan Clay and Matt Lewin of Cornerstone Barristers have been instructed to bring the claim on behalf of the owners.
1st November 2015
1st September 2015
Edited by Philip Kolvin QC, Head of Cornerstone Barristers, and written by members of Chambers, Cornerstone on Councillors' Conduct identifies and explains the standards that govern the conduct of those elected to Local Government in England and Wales.
Contributors to Cornerstone on Councillors' Conduct include: James Findlay QC, Philip Coppel QC, Robin Green, Harriet Townsend, Wayne Beglan, Damien Welfare, Estelle Dehon, Ryan Kohli, Robert Williams, Emma Dring, Zoe Whittington, Jack Parker and Matt Lewin.
The book has been designed as a readable, practical guide for all those involved in local government, including officers, councillors, monitoring officers and lawyers.
With the foreword kindly contributed by Cllr David Sparks, the Chairman of the Local Government Association, topics considered within the guide include:
Reviews include:
Cornerstone Barristers has produced a "book which is not only extremely useful from a professional standpoint, but it is also eminently readable." It "is not just a handy reference book to Councillors' conduct: it is an indispensable guide and should be the first port of call when questions arise." James Button and Co-Bulletin
The publication"skilfully navigates its way through the dense and dangerous jungle of intervening statutory, guidance, caselaw and other foliage from the former Standards Board regime (following the Donnygate scandal) to the present slimmed-down but imperfect present." Nicholas Dobson, a Consultant with Freeths LLP writing for Local Government Lawyer
Click here to purchase a copy.
Philip Kolvin QC discusses the issues confronting local councillors and the need for a consistent approach to standards of conduct in an interview with Bloomsbury Professional.
Matt regularly provides training and seminars on Housing, Health and Social Care, Planning and Environmental and Licensing law.
Matt is also experienced in advising public authorities on policy. His recent work has included: advising the Department for Culture Media and Sport on the implementation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation; advising a local housing authority on its fire safety policy; and advising a local authority on its rent arrears policy
Case
Coventry City Councillor breached Code by failing to declare property interests
14th November 2018
Coventry City Council's Ethics Committee has found that Cllr Rois Ali breached its Code of Conduct for members by failing to disclose numerous property interests in Coventry within 28 days....Case
Councillor refused permission in JR against sexual harassment finding
13th November 2018
A former leader of Devon County Council has been refused permission to proceed to a judicial review of the Council's decision to sanction him for sexual harassment of four Council....News
PSED: four things every decision-maker needs to know
26th September 2018
By Matt Lewin The latest homelessness case in the Court of Appeal – Lomax v Gosport BC [2018] EWCA Civ 1846 (incidentally, my first case in that court) – is a....Case
New Court of Appeal case on PSED and 'general housing circumstances'
1st August 2018
The Court of Appeal has set out a six-stage test for comparing the position of a disabled person with the "general circumstances prevailing in relation to housing" under section 177(2)....Case
For the first time, Court of Appeal to consider section 177(2) of the Housing Act 1996 and the PSED
25th July 2018
Local housing authorities across the country are struggling in the face of a housing crisis. That fact forms part of the background to the case of Lomax v Gosport Borough....Case
PSED breach sees estate regeneration scheme quashed
22nd June 2018
In R (Buckley) v Bath and North East Somerset Council, the High Court has quashed an outline planning permission for a regeneration scheme because of a breach of the Public....News
The End of Zero-Tolerance Approach to Drugs in Licensed Premises?
21st May 2018
By Matt Lewin A report published in March by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform, Durham University, The Loop and Volte Face has called for drug safety testing....News
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....Case
Landmark Court of Appeal judgment on use of publicly held land
16th April 2018
The Court of Appeal has given judgment in the long-awaited co-joined appeals of Timothy Jones v NHS Property Services Ltd & R(Lancashire County Council) v Secretary of State for Environment,....News
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....News
Betting industry bracing over new government consultation on gambling
31st October 2017
Betting industry bracing over new government consultation on gambling
....Case
Court of Appeal to define the scope of the Commons Act 2006
4th October 2017
The Court of Appeal (Jackson, Lindblom and Thirwall LJJ) will today begin to hear three days of argument in the co-joined appeals of Jones v NHS Property Services Ltd and....News
Cornerstone Barristers Housing Newsletter August 2017
22nd August 2017
The Cornerstone Housing NewsletterAugust 2017 includes...Case
Council has "no case to answer" on EPA prosecution
2nd August 2017
Matt Lewin has successfully defended the London Borough of Wandsworth on a private prosecution brought by an occupier of one of its properties under section 82 of the Environmental Protection....News
Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter May 2017
24th May 2017
The Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter includes... Editor's Note - Josef Cannon Leisure development in the Green Belt – not all fun and games? - Martin Edwards Licensing Uber: Better the devil you know?....News
Cornerstone Housing Newsletter May 2017
4th May 2017
The Cornerstone Housing Newsletter includes...Case
Coventry Councillor censured for racial abuse
20th March 2017
At a hearing on 17 March 2017, Coventry City Council's Ethics Committee found that Cllr Jaswant Singh Birdi had breached its members' Code of Conduct by racially abusing a shopkeeper....Case
Is there always a public law defence to a possession claim brought by a public authority?
27th February 2017
Matt Lewin of Cornerstone Barristers has successfully represented the London Borough of Enfield in an application for summary judgment of a public law defence raised in a possession claim against....News
Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter February 2017
23rd February 2017
The Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter includes...News
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....News
Cornerstone Housing Newsletter - November 2016
3rd November 2016
Contents The Editor speaks - Andy Lane When is an applicant "significantly" more vulnerable than ordinary vulnerable? - Emma Dring Recent housing developments The current state of play in the Mayor of London's housing....Case
Government grants permission for fracking in Lancashire
6th October 2016
In a landmark decision the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has today granted planning permission for shale gas fracking (hydraulic fracturing) at a site in Lancashire. The Secretary....News
The Oil and Gas Authority Becomes an Independent Regulator
4th October 2016
As of 1 October 2016, the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) became the independent regulator for offshore and onshore oil and gas operations in the United Kingdom. The Cornerstone Hydrocarbon....News
The Planner - We must do more to protect the night-time economy
3rd October 2016
Matt Lewin has written an article for The Planner in which he considers how the planning system can be used to protect night time economies under threat from regeneration and....Case
Court of Appeal to re-consider statutory incompatibility doctrine in village green cases
22nd August 2016
Ashley Bowes has secured permission to appeal for Mr Tim Jones, a local resident, against the judgment of Mr Justice Gilbart in NHS Property Services Ltd v Surrey County Council [2016] EWHC 1715 (Admin.)
....News
Brexit: Planning and the Environment Outside the EU
6th July 2016
The UK vote to leave the European Union raises significant questions around the potential impact on our domestic legislation. EU law is deeply embedded in our planning and environmental protection regimes.....News
Cornerstone Barristers Special Edition Housing Newsletter: Housing and Planning Act 2016
31st May 2016
The Cornerstone Housing Team has produced a special edition newsletter to highlight the main issues arising from the Housing and Planning Act 2016. The newsletter includes: The Housing and Planning Act....Case
Historic Brixton nightclub saved – for now
19th May 2016
Planning permission to redevelop Brixton's legendary Club 414 for retail and flats was quashed by consent in the High Court yesterday by order of Mr Justice GIlbart.
....News
Cornerstone Housing Newsletter - May 2016
4th May 2016
The latest edition of the Cornerstone Housing Newsletter includes: Message from the Heads of Team – Kuljit Bhogal and Kelvin Rutledge QC Hotak, Johnson & Kanu one year on – Kelvin Rutledge....News
Cornerstone Barristers in fracking inquiry underway in Lancashire
9th February 2016
The appeal brought by Cuadrilla against the decisions of Lancashire County Council to refuse planning permission for fracking developments in Lancashire has started this morning in Blackpool. Cornerstone Barristers' Estelle Dehon....News
Local Government Lawyer - Nightclub owner wins permission
18th December 2015
Local Government Lawyer has reported the High Court decision to grant permission on all grounds to challenge the decision of Lambeth Council to grant consent for development which would have....Case
Club wins Round 1 of legal fight to save Brixton Night Spot
18th December 2015
The legal challenge to Lambeth Council's decision to grant planning consent for controversial housing development that would lead to the closure of one of Brixton's best known night clubs has....Case
Local Government Lawyer: Nightclub owner wins permission
18th December 2015
Local Government Lawyer has reported the High Court decision to grant permission on all grounds to challenge the decision of Lambeth Council to grant consent for development which would have resulted in the closure of Club 414 in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton.
....Case
Government to have final say on Lancashire fracking sites
27th November 2015
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government yesterday informed Lancashire County Council that the final decision on planning appeals concerning two fracking sites in Lancashire will be made....News
Local Government Lawyer - Nightclub owner seeks judicial review over permission for change of use
2nd November 2015
Local Government Lawyer has reported on the decision by the owners of Club 414 in Brixton to bring a judicial review claim in relation to Lambeth Council's decision to grant planning permission for....Case
Cornerstone Barristers instructed in Brixton nightclub judicial review
22nd October 2015
Cornerstone Barristers' Jonathan Clay and Matt Lewin have been instructed by Louise Barron, owner of the legendary Club 414 in Brixton, in an attempt to save the club from closure after Lambeth Council granted planning permission for a change of use of the building from nightclub (sui generis) to A1 retail and residential.
....Case
Cornerstone Barristers instructed on major fracking planning appeals in Lancashire
28th September 2015
Four members of Cornerstone Barristers have been instructed in the UK's first planning appeals in respect of proposals to develop wells and associated works to carry out high volume hydraulic fracturing (fracking) at two sites in Lancashire.
....News
Cornerstone Barristers Housing Newsletter - July 2015
23rd July 2015
The latest Cornerstone Barristers Housing Newsletter includes...News
Cornerstone on Councillors’ Conduct
26th June 2015
Cornerstone on Councillors' Conduct, the definitive guide to local government standards, produced by Cornerstone Barristers, goes on sale today.
....News
Court rulings send framework signals
4th August 2014
This article appeared in Planning Resource (subscription needed) on 25th July 2014. Several recent High Court cases involving housing proposals have considered the interpretation of paragraphs 14, 47 and 49 of....EVENT
Seminar: Understanding data protection (GDPR) and surveillance in social housing
14th March 2018
1
With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into force on 25th May 2018, it is important for those involved in social housing to be aware of their obligations and....EVENT
IoL: Now & Next Training in Bristol
25th May 2017
The 'Now & Next' course is aimed at everyone with an interest in licensing, including Licensing Officers, Police Officers, Councillors and legal advisors of the licensing committee. Each session will be....EVENT
IoL: Now & Next Training in London
18th May 2017
1
The 'Now & Next' course is aimed at everyone with an interest in licensing, including Licensing Officers, Police Officers, Councillors and legal advisors of the licensing committee. Each session will be....EVENT
IoL: Now & Next Training in Manchester
16th May 2017
The 'Now & Next' course is aimed at everyone with an interest in licensing, including Licensing Officers, Police Officers, Councillors and legal advisors of the licensing committee. Each session will be....EVENT
Fixed term/flexible tenancies seminar
15th March 2017
1
The seminar will be aimed at lawyers who face the daunting prospect of getting to grips with the most radical shake-up of the secure tenancy regime since it was introduced....020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591
London: 2-3 Gray's Inn Square, WC1R 5JH
Birmingham: 43 Temple Row, B2 5LS
Cardiff: One Caspian Point, CF10 4DQ
DX: LDE 316 (Chancery Lane)
