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Ruchi has a broad public law practice with particular expertise in planning and environment, information, local government and election law.
She also has experience in a range of related areas including licensing, housing, property, education and commercial law.
Ruchi is regularly instructed by public bodies, including central and local government, private organisations, developers and individuals.
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 in domestic courts 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 workshops in Ukraine and Georgia on international 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. Her work included co-authoring Delivering Justice in an Age of Austerity (with Sir Stanley Burnton) on the reform of the civil courts and tribunals. She continues to work on civil justice reform in a pro bono capacity.
Ruchi was an Associate Editor of New York University Law School's legal blog, Just Security, and a Teaching Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies. She has also worked with Harvard Law School's International Human Rights Clinic and the Constitution Unit (UCL).
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 local government powers, public procurement, education, housing, planning, information and election law.
Recent notable cases include:
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.
Ruchi is also frequently instructed by central government departments through the Government Legal Department's 'Junior Junior' scheme. 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 tragedy.
Ruchi has experience in a number of property law matters and acts on behalf of local authorities and private parties. She has been instructed on a range of issues including service charge disputes, possessions, trespass, tenancy deposits and disrepair.
Most recently, she acted for a housing association (led by Ranjit Bhose QC) in an arbitration relating to the construction of an option agreement and for a local authority (led by Matt Hutchings QC) in securing affordable housing planning obligations that had been breached by the developer/housing association.
Ruchi has a broad planning law practice spanning judicial reviews, statutory appeals and planning inquiries. She is regularly instructed by local authorities, developers and resident groups across the full range of planning, environment and highway matters.
Ruchi's experience includes large residential and retail schemes as well as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). 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). Ruchi also has experience in enforcing s106 obligations in the County Court/High Court, as well as planning enforcement matters in the Magistrates' Courts/Crown Court.
Recent and ongoing court cases include:
Recent inquiries and hearings include:
Recent and ongoing NSIPs include:
Ruchi is experienced in the housing sector, and is regularly instructed by local authorities, housing associations, private landlords and tenants. She has acted in a range of housing law claims including possessions, warrant suspensions, anti-social behaviour, tenancy fraud and injunctions. She has represented local authorities in a number of housing law trials, including in the multi-track, and has experience of appeals in this context. Ruchi has also advised on issues relating to housing allocation schemes.
During pupillage, Ruchi spent time on secondment at a local housing authority.
Ruchi has a growing practice in licensing law. She recently represented the responsible licensing authority at a hearing concerning We Are Festival. Ruchi has experience in taxi licensing appeals and has also represented the Security Industry Authority in resisting statutory appeals in the Magistrates' Courts.
Ruchi was a member of the Cornerstone Barristers' team advising the Fawcett Society on prostitution law, specifically whether the UK should adopt the so-called 'sex buyer law', which seeks to criminalise the buyer rather than the seller of sexual services.
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 QC) 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.
23rd February 2021
On 6 January 2021 the High Court handed down its decision in Taylor v Slough BC, the latest of a long series of appeals dealing with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) in the context of social housing.
Ruchi Parekh, who successfully acted for Slough BC on the appeal, summarises in the Housing Newsletter the recent case law and provides practical guidance to social housing providers grappling with their equalities duties.
Read the article HERE.
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 September 2016
Ruchi has published articles and commentary in human rights and international law. Select publications include:
- Warfare and "Judicial Imperialism" in the UK, Just Security (6 May 2015)
- Delivering Justice in an Age of Austerity, U.K. Const. L. Blog (27 April 2015)
- How to Interpret the UN HRC's Comment on National Security Detentions, Just Security (21 Jan 2015)
- Lessons from Litigating Universal Primary Education in Swaziland 17(2) Interights Bulletin (2013) p.83
News: Planning and Environment, Local Government
Briefing note on the Climate Change implications for local government across the UK
24th November 2021
How ready is the legal and governance framework in the United Kingdom to meet the challenge of climate change? Ruchi Parekh, Robin Green, Harriet Townsend, Estelle Dehon and Dr Christina Lienen....News: Planning and Environment
Cornerstone Planning Day 2021 - Tickets available
20th September 2021
The Cornerstone Planning Team is delighted to host its annual planning conference on Monday 8 November at Royal College of Surgeons of England. Aimed at planning specialists, solicitors, and policy makers, this....News:
Ruchi Parekh joins the Attorney General's C Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown
12th August 2021
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ruchi Parekh to the Attorney General's C Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown. The appointment takes effect on 1 September 2021....News: Planning and Environment
Cornerstone Barristers' Ruchi Parekh Speaks at UKELA Annual Conference 2021
15th June 2021
We are proud to be a Gold sponsor of the UKELA Annual Conference 2021, which aims to build awareness and improve understanding of legislation aimed at helping and protecting the....Case: Planning and Environment
Extensions in the Green Belt and material changes of use – what’s the proper approach?
16th April 2021
The Bluebell Cemetery appeal raised an important question about the proper interpretation of Green Belt policy – and its outcome, while far from straightforward, is likely to lead to an....News: Housing
PSED and Housing: what’s left to decide?
19th February 2021
By Ruchi Parekh In housing law circles, 2020 was arguably the year of the Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”). The issue was the sole focus of a number of housing related....Case: Planning and Environment, Local Government
'Out-of-date' assessments can be site specific, Holgate J confirms
16th February 2021
A judicial review claim seeking to quash outline planning permission for a 300-dwelling scheme in Woolpit, Mid Suffolk, has been dismissed on all grounds by Mr Justice Holgate. In Ewans....Case: Housing
Possessions and the PSED: no news is good news
6th January 2021
The High Court has recently confirmed (if there was any remaining doubt) that a breach of the Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”) can be cured by subsequent compliance with the....Case: Housing, Local Government
A thorough soaking - Court of Appeal affirms that local authority is a water “re-seller”
29th October 2020
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal by the Royal Borough of Kingston-Upon-Thames from the High Court’s 2019 conclusion that, when collecting water charges from its secure tenants alongside....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: 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: Public Law and Judicial Review, Local Government
How to (lawfully) rename streets and remove statues
23rd June 2020
By Ruchi Parekh In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, local authorities across the UK are having to grapple with the controversial historical figures that line their streets. Many....News: Housing
Pease v Carter: ‘reasonable recipient’ test applies to statutory notices
19th May 2020
By Ruchi Parekh The Court of Appeal has provided much-needed clarity on whether the 'reasonable recipient' test applies to statutory notices. In Pease v Carter, the Court confirmed that a statutory....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Local Government
17th April 2020
Here we will post short answers to some frequently asked questions that have emerged from our two webinars on remote meetings on 8 April 2020 and 20 April 2020.
....News: Planning and Environment
Cornerstone Barristers Planning Bulletin - Issue 2
14th April 2020
Welcome to the second edition of the Cornerstone Planning Bulletin, a digestible summary of planning law and practice to help all those with an interest in the planning system to....News: Local Government
Virtual meetings are the new reality
3rd April 2020
By James Findlay QC, Ruchi Parekh and Isabella Buono The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government yesterday made Regulations to ensure local authorities can conduct business during the....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:
Increasing judicial diversity - JUSTICE report published
30th January 2020
Yesterday, law reform organisation JUSTICE launched its latest working party report, Increasing Judicial Diversity: An Update. Cornerstone Barristers' Ruchi Parekh was a member of the working party and has been involved....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing
PSED essential reading: lessons learned from L&Q v Patrick
30th May 2019
London and Quadrant Housing Trust v Patrick [2019] EWHC 1263
....News: Licensing
New taxi licensing laws to close the "cross-border" gap and promote public safety
27th February 2019
By Ruchi Parekh Earlier this month, the government announced its plans to introduce new legislation which will give licensing authorities greater powers to enforce standards against "out of town" vehicles and....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
Rosewell Review: planning inquiries are here to stay
13th February 2019
By Mark Lowe QC, Jack Parker and Ruchi Parekh Introduction Yesterday the government published the report of Bridget Rosewell OBE following the review she has recently led into the planning appeal system....Case: Housing, Local Government
Public sector equality duty in possession proceedings: context is everything
24th January 2019
Dacorum Borough Council v Powell [2019] EWCA Civ 23
....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....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....Case: Housing, Property, Commercial and Regulatory
8th February 2018
In a much-anticipated judgment, the High Court has today ruled that Haringey Council's decision to set up the Haringey Development Vehicle ("HDV") was lawful.The HDV is a proposed 50-50 limited....News: Licensing
Betting industry bracing over new government consultation on gambling
31st October 2017
Betting industry bracing over new government consultation on gambling
....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Property, Commercial and Regulatory
Southwark Gets Tough on Affordable Housing Pledges Again
14th July 2017
Following litigation brought in the High Court, Chancery Division, the London Borough of Southwark has secured the return of 9 more designated affordable housing units to affordable housing use. This follows....News: Commercial and Regulatory
LexisPSL - Subject access requests
24th March 2017
In an article for LexisPSL, Ruchi Parekh considers the Court of Appeal's judgment in Ittihadieh and the issues discussed including the definition of personal data and what constitutes a subject....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing
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: Public Law and Judicial Review, Licensing, Inquests and Inquiries
Parliamentary Inquiry into Prostitution
21st March 2016
A team from Cornerstone Barristers is advising a national feminist organisation appearing in an inquiry into prostitution. The Home Affairs Select Committee is conducting an inquiry into prostitution, and in particular....Possessions and the PSED: no news is good news
6th January 2021
The High Court has recently confirmed (if there was any remaining doubt) that a breach of the Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”) can be cured by subsequent compliance with the....A thorough soaking - Court of Appeal affirms that local authority is a water “re-seller”
29th October 2020
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal by the Royal Borough of Kingston-Upon-Thames from the High Court’s 2019 conclusion that, when collecting water charges from its secure tenants alongside....020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591
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