Michael Bedford KC

Silk: 2016 | Call: 1985

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Michael Bedford KC
Daniel Gatt, Team Leader
> People > Barristers > Michael Bedford KC

Michael’s practice covers all areas of town and country planning, local government law, judicial review, environmental law, infrastructure, highways, and compulsory purchase.

He acts for developers, land owners and public sector clients, including via direct access. Recent clients include residential, retail and commercial developers, landowners, local authorities, and private clients.

He has a substantial inquiry-based practice, covering a diverse range of development projects (from crèches to cemeteries, via castles and tank farms, together with transport, housing, retail, and employment schemes). He has promoted a large number of development plans and is currently engaged in several Local Plan matters.

He also appears in the Courts, both challenging and defending decisions by local and central government on a wide range of planning, environmental, and highway matters.

Michael’s practice embraces large-scale infrastructure projects (including promoting a DCO in Norfolk and several other new roads) and smaller developments in sensitive areas with heritage or environmental constraints.

He is experienced in managing and co-ordinating large teams of expert witnesses and in cross-examining a wide range of professional disciplines. He is a member of Cornerstone Climate, our centre of excellence for climate litigation and advice.

Michael Bedford has repeatedly been ranked as one of the Highest Rated Juniors by Planning Magazine. He is recognised by both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for his expertise in planning.

Expertise

    Michael is very well prepared for conferences and hearings. He has a no nonsense approach, knows how to pitch the case at examination hearings, and has a great eye for detail.

    Legal 500 (2023)

    He is a favourite of mine, he does lots of infrastructure work, has really sound judgement, and is good at identifying weak spots for clients.

    Chambers UK Bar (2023)

    He has excellent client relations, commercial understanding and advocacy.

    Chambers UK Bar (2023)

    Michael is our most trusted counsel, whose understanding of the law and its application to the brief results in clear and often very practical advice.

    Chambers UK Bar (2023)

    Michael is easy to work with, and able to see the macro-picture but also quick to grasp the detail.

    Legal 500 (2022)

    Michael is a class act, with good judgement and a nice, understated manner.

    Chambers UK Bar (2022)

    Incisive and strategic in his thinking.

    Legal 500 (2020)

About Michael

  • Directory Quotes
    • Planning – “Michael is our most trusted counsel, whose understanding of the law and its application to the brief results in clear and often very practical advice.” “He has excellent client relations, commercial understanding and advocacy.” “He is a favourite of mine, he does lots of infrastructure work, has really sound judgement, and is good at identifying weak spots for clients.” Chambers and Partners 2023 
    • Planning – “Michael is very well prepared for conferences and hearings. He has a no nonsense approach, knows how to pitch the case at examination hearings, and has a great eye for detail.” Legal 500 2023
    • Planning – “He is meticulous in preparation and extremely good with clients.” Chambers and Partners 2022
    • Planning – “Michael is easy to work with, and able to see the macro-picture but also quick to grasp the detail. He is personable and quick to get stuck in.” Legal 500 2022
    • Planning – “Possesses extensive experience in planning, and focuses on development plans and regeneration schemes as well as significant infrastructure projects. He is known for his representation of local authorities and regularly accepts instruction in large inquiries and judicial review. Strengths: “Michael is a class act, with good judgement and a nice, understated manner.” “He is brilliant with client departments and at providing confidence in his case preparation.” Chambers and Partners 2021
    • “Michael is forensic in his consideration of key risk issues. Expert in consideration of traffic assessments and strategic case making for highways schemes Calm, concise and unflappable in advocacy Written advice is clear, thorough and gets to the nub of the issue with practical advice.” Legal 500 2021
    • “A very charming, effective, very robust advocate.” “Michael is extremely thorough and is able to ensure that the whole team know exactly what they need to do for the case in hand.” Chambers and Partners 2020
    • “Incisive and strategic in his thinking.” Legal 500 2020
    • “He is very calm and considered, very thorough and provides clients with confidence that his advice is well thought through and correct.” “A very hard-working silk who has excellent knowledge of the law and is fair and well respected.” Chambers and Partners 2019
    • “He is very experienced in issues relating to infrastructure consenting and roads.” Legal 500 2017
    • “He has a great ability to focus on important details while catering to clients’ needs.” Legal 500 2017
    • “Impeccably prepared, calm and unflappable. Quietly brilliant.” Chambers and Partners 2017
    • “Expert on the interface between environmental law and planning, with a focus on larger inquiries.” Legal 500 2016
    • “He has an ability to grasp a complex case with voluminous evidence.” “A man of great detail, who is very helpful in terms of providing informal and quick advice.” Chambers and Partners 2016
    • He is “an excellent advocate, unflappable and really adaptable in his style” “and praised for his “strong and decisive opinions”. Chambers and Partners 2015
    • “Excellent at absorbing complex and voluminous material.” Legal 500 2015
  • Services

    He also lectures on a variety of planning and related issues to lawyers and other professionals. He is a member of the Planning & Environment Bar Association and of the National Infrastructure Planning Association.

  • Associations
    • Planning and Environment Bar Association (PEBA).
  • Publications
  • Notable Cases

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