Ruchi Parekh

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Ruchi Parekh has a broad public law practice with particular expertise in planning and environment, information, local government and election law. She is consistently ranked in the legal directories as a leading junior across four practice areas: administrative law and human rights; planning; environment; and data protection. She is a member of the Attorney General’s B Panel of Counsel. Ruchi was named Planning and Land Use Junior of the Year 2025 (Legal 500).

Ruchi was recognised in The Planner’s Women of Influence in 2023 and was named in the 2023 ENDS Report’s Power List of the most influential environmental professionals in the UK – one of only three barristers to feature on the list. She was shortlisted in the Diversity and Inclusion: Future Leader category at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2023.

Ruchi also has experience in a range of related areas including education, licensing, and housing law. She is regularly instructed by public bodies, including central and local government, NGOs, private clients and community groups.

Ruchi has an LLM from Harvard Law School, where she was awarded a Public Service Fellowship, and an LLB (First Class Honours) from the London School of Economics, where she won several prizes including two for best overall performance in the year. Ruchi was awarded the Stephen Chapman Scholarship from Inner Temple.

Ruchi’s previous experience includes human rights litigation, including in eastern Europe and southern and eastern Africa, and the European Court of Human Rights, while working at Interights. She provided advice and training to NGOs and has conducted international workshops on human rights standards. Prior to coming to the bar, Ruchi worked as a legal officer at JUSTICE for two years, where she led the civil justice program.

Prior to coming to the bar, Ruchi worked as a legal officer at JUSTICE for two years, where she led the civil justice program.

Expertise

Public Law and Judicial Review
Ruchi has a broad administrative and public law practice, and regularly advises and represents both public bodies and private clients in this area. Her experience spans environment, planning, human rights, local government, information, education, housing, licensing and election law. She is a member of the Attorney General’s B Panel of Counsel.

Ongoing and recent notable cases include:
- R (Finch) v Surrey CC [2024] UKSC 20: Successfully represented Weald Action Group in the Supreme Court in the seminal case concerning downstream greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel development (led by Estelle Dehon KC).
- R (Morley) v Surrey Heath BC [2025] EWHC 1678 (Admin): leading authority on the proper approach to costs collection as part of council tax debt recovery.
- R (Possible (The 10:10 Foundation) and R (GALBA) v Secretary of State for Transport [2025] EWHC 1101 (Admin): Representing the community group challenging the ‘Jet Zero Strategy’, the Government’s plan to achieve net zero in the aviation industry (led by Estelle Dehon KC).
- R (Greenpeace Ltd) v SSESNZ [2023] EWHC 2608 (Admin): Representing Uplift in the challenge to the government’s new offshore oil and gas licensing round in the North Sea (led by Estelle Dehon KC).
- R (CDE) v Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council [2023] EWHC 194 (Admin): the first High Court ruling on the interaction between the Public Sector Equality Duty and licensing of sexual entertainment venues (led by Josef Cannon).
- Moss v Kingston-upon-Thames RBC [2021] EWHC 1032 (Admin): Leading authority establishing that the right of inspection in respect of local authority accounts is not limited by reference to the time or cost of compliance (led by Ranjit Bhose KC).
- Taylor v Slough BC [2020] EWHC 3520 (Ch): Successfully defending an appeal against a possession order, focused on the Public Sector Equality Duty and the issue of ‘late compliance’ in a social housing context.
- Kingston-upon-Thames RLBC v Moss [2020] EWCA Civ 1381: Test case (on behalf of a consortium of London boroughs) challenging the decision in Jones v London Borough of Southwark on water re-selling (led by Ranjit Bhose KC).
- Christian Peoples Alliance v The Electoral Commission (2019) (Case no. E40CL201): Successfully defending a statutory appeal against the imposition of discretionary monetary penalties for failures to comply with statutory requirements during the 2017 General Election.
- Upson v Mitchell [2019] EWHC 3517 (QB): Successfully defending an election petition which sought to challenge the validity of a town council election result.
- Kitchener-Pope v Governing Body of Peacehaven Community School [2019] EWHC 2666 (Admin): Representing the successful Academy Trust in defeating a judicial review claim challenging the decision to convert a school into an academy.
- Powell v Dacorum BC [2019] EWCA Civ 23: Leading appellate ruling on the context-specific nature of the Public Sector Equality Duty (led by Andrew Lane).
- R (Peters) v Haringey LBC [2018] EWHC 192 (Admin): Successfully defending the lawfulness of the Haringey Development Vehicle, in the first High Court ruling on the scope of ‘commercial purpose’ in the context of the ‘general power of competence’ (led by Ranjit Bhose KC).
Ruchi is able to advise public body clients at all stages of decision-making, including in relation to equality impact assessments and the proper discharge of its public law duties.

She was part of the Cornerstone team advising the Department of Media, Culture and Sport on the implementation of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation into domestic law. She was also part of the legal team for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea ahead of the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Planning and Environment
Ruchi has a broad planning law practice spanning judicial reviews, statutory appeals and planning inquiries. She is regularly instructed by central and local government, NGOs, developers and resident groups across the full range of planning, environment and highway matters. She is ranked as a leading junior in Legal 500 in both environment and planning law.

Ruchi’s experience includes large residential and retail schemes as well as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). She has particular expertise in matters related to climate change and renewable energy. She has advised on various issues, including policy interpretation, affordable housing requirements, neighbourhood development plans, enforcement, section 106 agreements, and the Public Sector Equality Duty (which has played an increasingly important role in planning law in recent years).

Recent and ongoing court cases include:
- R (Finch) v Surrey CC [2024] UKSC 20: Seminal case concerning downstream greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel development (led by Estelle Dehon KC).
- Saravanamuthu v SSHCLG [2025] EWHC 2132 (Admin): Challenge to a CPO, clarifying the legal principles in cases where authority-led schemes are not intended to be viable in the commercial sense.
- R (Ross) v SSHCLG [2025] EWHC 1183 (Admin): Statutory review of consent for a large solar farm; test case on national policy on solar energy and the practice of ‘overplanting’ (led by Robert Williams).
- Frack Free Balcombe Residents’ Association v SSHCLG [2025] EWCA Civ 495: Challenge to a planning permission for hydrocarbon exploration and appraisal in an AONB, concerning the principles on alternatives (led by David Wolfe KC).
- R (Possible (The 10:10 Foundation) and R (GALBA) v Secretary of State for Transport [2025] EWHC 1101 (Admin): Challenge to the ‘Jet Zero Strategy’, the Government’s plan to achieve net zero in the aviation industry (led by Estelle Dehon KC).
- SPVRG Ltd v Pembrokeshire CC [2025] EWHC 251 (Admin): Challenge to a caravan park extension consent, with a focus on the extent of reasons required where members go against an officer recommendation.
- Save our Southbank v SSHCLG [2024] EWHC 3326 (Admin): Challenge to the redevelopment of ITV Studios on London’s Southbank, raising novel issues of interpretation of the tall buildings policy in the London Plan (led by Robert Williams).
- R (Bedford Park Developments) v SSLUHC [2024] EWHC 2337 (Admin): Statutory challenge to the grant of permission, raising principles of consistency in decision-making and procedural fairness.
- R (Together Against Sizewell C Ltd) v Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero [2023] EWCA Civ 1517: Challenge to the grant of development consent for the Sizewell C nuclear power station (led by David Wolfe KC).
- Ward v Torridge DC [2023] EWHC 2629 (KB): Judicial review of retrospective planning permission for a dairy farm, raising questions around the proper approach to a ‘fallback’ as a material consideration.
- R (Greenpeace Ltd) v SSESNZ [2023] EWHC 2608 (Admin): Challenge to the government’s new offshore oil and gas licensing round in the North Sea (led by Estelle Dehon KC).
- Armstrong v SSLUHC [2023] EWHC 176 (Admin): Leading authority on the scope of s.73 TCPA 1990 and whether it extends to a “fundamental variation” of the original planning permission.
- R (Addison) v Southwark LBC [2022] EWHC 3211 (Admin): Challenge to the redevelopment of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, which would result in the loss of a well-loved community pitch.
- R (Thurston Parish Council) v Mid Suffolk DC [2022] EWCA Civ 1417: Judicial review of an outline planning permission for a 210-dwelling scheme, in a key judgment emphasising the distinction between the interpretation and application of planning policy (led by Tom Cosgrove KC).
- R (SPVRG Ltd) v Pembrokeshire CC [2022] EWHC 143 (Admin): Challenge to a s.73 permission for a holiday caravan park (led by James Findlay KC).
- R (Ewans) v Mid Suffolk DC [2021] EWHC 511 (Admin): Judicial review of an outline planning permission for a 300-dwelling development outside the established village settlement boundary (led by Tom Cosgrove KC).
Recent and ongoing Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) include:
- Sunnica solar farm in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire (representing the host local planning authority).
- Sizewell C nuclear power station (with Dr Ashley Bowes) (representing the local community group).
- East Anglia ONE North and TWO offshore windfarms (with Michael Bedford KC) (representing the host county council).
- A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme (representing the host local planning authority).
Recent and ongoing Local Plan examinations include:
- West Suffolk Local Plan: successfully adopted in 2025.
- Babergh and Mid Suffolk: assisting Michael Bedford KC on Part 1 of the Joint Local Plan; adopted in 2023.
Recent inquiries and hearings include:
- School Road, Elmswell (2025): Two-week inquiry into a scheme for elderly specialist care (care home and extra care bungalows) on a settlement edge site in Elmswell, adjacent to a Grade II* listed church.
- Rabone Lane, Smethwick (2025): Appeal against environmental permit conditions in relation to the mechanical treatment of waste.
- Land off Newmarket Road, Bury St Edmunds (2024): Hybrid full/outline application for a 485 residential scheme and the construction of a relief road.
- Land rear of 19 The Avenue, Welwyn (2023): one-week inquiry concerning a residential scheme in the Green Belt.
- Queensbury Lodge, Newmarket (2023): Three joined appeals for a mixed 120-home and commercial scheme, involving listed buildings works to restore and re-use historic racing stables.
- Plough Inn, Icklingham (2023): Appeal involving small residential scheme raising complex technical arguments under the Habitats Regulations 2017 in relation to impacts on stone curlew (led by Tom Cosgrove KC.
- Land to the north of Moreton Road, Moreton (2023): Appeal concerning a residential scheme in the setting of a conservation area.
- Numerous appeals against enforcement notices as well as refusals of lawful development certificates (‘LDCs’), most recently in relation to an LDC inquiry concerning night-time restrictions on flights at Leeds Bradford Airport (2025) (led by Estelle Dehon KC).
Cornerstone Climate
Ruchi specialises in matters relating to the climate, ranging from renewable and low carbon energy infrastructure to judicial review challenges based on climate grounds. She is committed to working with government, NGOs, developers and resident groups across a range of climate issues to achieve sustainable outcomes. In recognition of her work in this field, Ruchi was named in the 2023 ENDS Report’s Power List of the most influential environmental professionals in the UK – one of only three barristers to be included.

Ruchi is a member of the Cornerstone Climate team

Recent and ongoing notable work includes:
- Representing the Appellant in the first Supreme Court case concerning downstream greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel development (led by Estelle Dehon KC and Marc Willers KC).
- Advising Uplift (a not-for-profit initiative) on numerous offshore oil and gas projects, such as the Cambo, Jackdaw and Rosebank fields.
- Representing the Secretary of State in a statutory review of consent for a large solar farm, serving as a test case on national policy on solar energy and the practice of ‘overplanting’ (led by Robert Williams).
- Advising and representing various parties in ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects’ including two offshore windfarms (with Michael Bedford KC); the Sizewell C nuclear power station; and Sunnica solar farm (the largest solar proposal in the country); as well as related legal challenges..
- Representing Uplift in a challenge to the Government’s new offshore oil and gas licensing round, which could result in the award of more than 100 new licences in the North Sea (led by Estelle Dehon KC).
- Representing the claimant group challenging the grant of development consent for the Sizewell C nuclear power station (with Dr Ashley Bowes, led by David Wolfe KC).FRACK FREE
- Representing the community group challenging the Jet Zero Strategy, the Government’s plan to achieve net zero in the aviation industry (led by Estelle Dehon KC).
Information Law
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Ruchi is experienced in information law and is regularly instructed to advise and represent both private clients and public bodies in this field. Recent notable cases include Ittihadieh v 5-11 Cheyne Gardens RTM Co Ltd & Ors (Court of Appeal) (led by Philip Coppel KC) on the scope of the subject access request provisions in the DPA 1998.

Ruchi has advised a number of clients – including local authorities, private companies and sole traders – on preparing for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and can provide bespoke training in this area.

She frequently advises local authority clients on issues arising from requests for information (under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as well as the Environmental Information Regulations).

Ruchi was also part of the Cornerstone team advising the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on the implementation of the GDPR into domestic law.

An ambitious, learned and quick-witted junior.
Legal 500 (2025)

She presents above her level of call.
Chambers UK Bar (2025)

Ruchi's work is of an exceptionally high standard and she is a true expert in her field.
Chambers UK Bar (2024)

Ruchi is extremely busy and works in some of the most high-profile cases in the country. Her ability to understand and communicate complex ideas is unrivalled.
Legal 500 (2024)

She is very, very clever, with the ability to put clients at ease.
Chambers UK Bar (2024)

Ruchi is exceptional: her writing is excellent, she's extremely approachable and is sensible. She's someone to watch in the future.
Chambers UK Bar (2023)

A diligent barrister with impressive planning expertise, she has an exceptional command of the law, is extremely strategic, and gives clear, comprehensive advice.
Legal 500 (2023)

Ruchi is very clever, a superb advocate who can see the bigger picture and key points in a case.
Legal 500 (2023)

About Ruchi

Awards
- Planning and Land Use Junior of the Year, Legal 500 (2025)
- Women of Influence in Planning, The Planner (2023)
- ENDS Report Power List (2023)
- Diversity and Inclusion: Future Leader (shortlisted), Chambers UK Bar Awards (2023)
Directory Quotes
- Data Protection – “She presents above her level of call.” “She is very effective, very sensible, and clever in her written work.” Chambers and Partners 2025
- Environment – “She is intelligent and learned but also engaging.” “Her written work is always first-rate because of its clarity, and her pleadings are always written very clearly.” “She gives clients confidence and puts them at ease.” “Ruchi is brilliant to work with.” Chambers and Partners 2025
- Planning – “Ruchi is a breath of fresh air.” “Ruchi is always calm and is never phased by complex matters that often need stripping back to the basics.” Chambers and Partners 2025
- Planning – “Ruchi is hardworking, diligent and capable. She is succinct in submissions and effective in the case she is presenting.” Legal 500 2025
- Administrative Law and Human Rights – “An ambitious, learned and quick-witted junior.” Legal 500 2025
- Planning – “She is very, very clever, with the ability to put clients at ease.” “Ruchi has a fantastic advocacy style.” “She is very good at unravelling complex things.” Chambers and Partners 2024
- Environment – “Ruchi’s work is of an exceptionally high standard and she is a true expert in her field. We trust Ruchi’s advice immensely, and know we can rely on her to advocate strongly for our best interests and objectives every step of the way.” Chambers and Partners 2024
- Data Protection – “Ruchi provided excellent advice in relation to the value and costs consequences of the matters in which she acted.” Chambers and Partners 2024
- Planning – “Ruchi is extremely busy and works in some of the most high-profile cases in the country. Her ability to understand and communicate complex ideas is unrivalled.” Legal 500 2024
- Administrative and human rights – “Ruchi is a pleasure to work with. Her advice is careful, but to the point.” Legal 500 2024
- Environment – “Ruchi is an outstanding barrister”, “exceptionally knowledgeable and organised“, and “stands out for her expertise in handling climate change litigation and contentious waste-related matters”. Legal 500 2024
- Data Protection – “Ruchi is exceptional: her writing is excellent, she’s extremely approachable and is sensible. She’s someone to watch in the future.” Chambers and Partners 2023
- Environment – “A diligent barrister with impressive planning expertise, she has an exceptional command of the law, is extremely strategic, and gives clear, comprehensive advice.” Legal 500 2023
- Planning – “Ruchi is very clever, a superb advocate who can see the bigger picture and key points in a case. Ruchi’s advocacy is concise, focused, and very impressive.” Legal 500 2023
Publications
Notable Cases
Events