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Philip Kolvin QC is the Head of Cornerstone Barristers and the leader of its licensing group.
Practising in licensing, local government and regulatory law, he is a creative lawyer and renowned advocate, who devotes himself to his clients' causes and plays to win.
"Remains the standard-bearer of licensing silks."
Legal 500 2016
Mark has been a planning and public law silk since 1996.
He is consistently ranked as a leading silk by Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 in the areas of planning, environment and administrative and public law, and is ranked as one of the Highest Rated Planning Silks by Planning Magazine.
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Ashley Underwood QC is a hugely experienced public lawyer. He routinely conducts judicial review work for and against public bodies.
He is on the Attorney General's panel of Special Advocates for national security work and regularly appears in SIAC and the High Court in relation to terrorism cases.
James Findlay QC, called 1984, is and has been recognised for many years in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a leading practitioner in the fields of Planning & Environment, Local Government, Administrative and Public and Licensing law.
Steven Gasztowicz QC specialises in property matters, planning and public law, and commercial and regulatory work.
He advises and represents local authorities, companies, and private individuals. He appears before all courts, ranging from the Supreme Court to the High Court and county court. He also sits as a Recorder, dealing with criminal, civil, and specialist chancery matters.
Steven is the author of a new edition of Professor Scamell's renowned text on Land Covenants, which has been the leading work on the subject since its first publication in 1996. The book covers both restrictive and positive covenants, and brings the work up to date, including planning obligations.
A versatile silk who maintains a deliberately broad practice, Philip is a recognised leader in commercial litigation (including civil fraud and VAT/excise disputes), all areas of government law (including planning, elections, licensing and finance) and data protection/FOI/privacy law.
Called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn and appointed Queen's Counsel in 2010 in both the Civil and Criminal law sections, Gerard Forlin QC's broad practice covers civil, criminal and commercial litigation; environment; fire; corporate governance; major event planning & crowd safety; crisis management; health and safety; aviation; inquests and inquiries; local authority governance and services; and regulatory law.
He has published more than 100 articles and is the author of Corporate Liability: work related deaths and criminal prosecutions (3rd edition) (Bloomsbury). The 4th edition will be published in 2019. He has been ranked in six separate areas by the leading directories. He has worked in over 65 countries.
Gerard is instructed in relation to Grenfell Tower.
Ranjit has a varied practice, with particular specialisms in Local Government, Public Law and Judicial Review, Property, Housing, Licensing, Court of Protection, and Commercial Law.
Ranjit is ranked as a leading silk by Chambers & Partners for Real Estate Litigation, Social Housing Law and Local Government Law. He is also ranked as a leading silk by the Legal 500 for Property Litigation, Social Housing Law and Licensing Law.
Kelvin Rutledge QC is a specialist in local government law with particular emphasis on social housing, adult community care, children's services, land dealings and governance. He has related expertise in human rights, European and discrimination law and is also a highly experienced and knowledgeable property lawyer.
His 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.
Richard Ground QC is a specialist in planning, administrative and public law.
He has a particular strength in appearing in long and complicated planning inquiries and High Court challenges. Richard has been recognised by the UK legal directories and Planning Magazine annual survey to be one of the leading practitioners for many years. He is an elected committee member of the Planning Environment Bar Association.
Lisa specialises in planning, environmental, local government and public law (including human rights and equalities). She was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2000 and took silk in 2016.
Before taking silk, Lisa was on the Attorney-General's A Panel of Counsel (having previously been on the B and C Panels) representing government bodies in some of their most high-profile and challenging cases. She is also on the Panel of Counsel established by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. She has been consistently recommended in Chambers and Partners UK and Legal 500.
Paul Shadarevian QC specialises in Planning; Compulsory Purchase and Compensation; Local Development Frameworks and Policy Formulation; Highways; Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas; Local Government and Public Procurement; and Environmental law.
Matt has a broad practice spanning the full range of chambers' Public Law work, Property, and Commercial and Regulatory litigation.
Thomas (Tom) Cosgrove QC is a specialist in the field of planning, administrative and public law. He is acknowledged as one of the leading planning practitioners at the Bar and was appointed Queen's Counsel in February 2017.
Alun specialises in all areas of Planning Local Government and Administrative law, both advocacy and advisory work.
He is one of the leading practitioners in the field of Town and Village Green applications, and other related issues, under the Commons Act 2006.
Graham Stoker is a recognised expert in national and international sports law.
lan was called to the Bar in 1981. His practice encompasses all aspects of planning, administrative, environmental and local government law.
He has wide experience of planning inquiries and regularly appears in the High Court in planning and public law matters.
Jonathan Clay is widely recognised as a leader in his field of planning and environment law. His case work includes court and public inquiry advocacy at the highest levels.
Known for his relaxed style, his ability to lead large teams and to take a strategic approach has proved invaluable in some of the ground breaking cases in which he has been involved.
Jon's practice covers public law (including community care & court of protection), housing and property (including service charges & general management).
After twelve years at Garden Court Chambers and two at Hardwicke Building Jon joined Cornerstone Barristers in 2006. He is described as 'terribly good – you get a QC service when you go to him' – Chambers & Partners 2017.
Paul has a broadly-based international and domestic business law practice that includes contentious and non-contentious commercial and corporate work.
Catherine Rowlands has a practice which covers all aspects of public law, especially social housing, community care, and immigration, together with property and other civil litigation.
She is a robust and tenacious advocate with substantial experience at all levels from the Magistrates' Court to the Supreme Court, where she has appeared in some of the most important cases in housing law.
Harriet specialises in planning and environment law, with a public law practice in local authority powers and duties, and related property matters.
Harriet's clients include individuals, public authorities, planning consultants, developers, and solicitors working throughout England and Wales.
Robin specialises in Planning and Environment; Local Authority Governance and Services; Administrative and Public Law; and Property.
Edward (Ed) Grant specialises in planning law. He has a particular focus on substantial housing developments. In addition he has a noted expertise in planning enforcement matters and planning-related prosecutions.
Martin began as a solicitor in local government responsible for planning and environmental law and advocacy before moving into private practice, becoming a partner and head of planning and environmental law with an international law firm. In 1995 he transferred to the Bar.
Martin has gained considerable experience in a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters involving all aspects of planning and environmental law, practice and procedure.
Michael specialises in Property (commercial and residential), Housing and Public Law, Planning and related areas including Court of Protection matters. During 2018 he has appeared in the Supreme Court twice.
David Lintott is a specialist in the fields of planning and public law.
His practice comprises a very substantial number of appearances in planning inquiries and related high court appeals often by way of judicial review. He acts for a broad range of clients which include companies, individuals, local authorities and other public bodies. He is also instructed in general public law matters including social housing.
Rory Clarke specialises in Planning and Compensation, Housing, Licensing, Administrative, Regulatory and Employment Law.
His wide experience of acting for and against local authorities gives him a sound understanding of their operation.
Wayne Beglan undertakes most forms of local government work and also has a wide private client base.
He has particular expertise in judicial review, planning, housing, regeneration, landlord and tenant, employment, procurement and contractual work for local authorities, RPs, developers and corporations.
Andy's practice focuses on social housing and property, and administrative and public law.
He works primarily for local authorities and housing associations, although has extensive experience advising and representing private landlords and their associations.
Shomik is a property and commercial litigator with almost two decades of experience.
A highly regarded practitioner, his client base includes large PLCs, property developers, local authorities, registered providers and high net-worth individuals.
Asitha specialises in Planning & Environment and Licensing law.
Within those fields his practice incorporates related Administrative & Public Law work. He regularly appears at public inquiries, hearings, and before the Higher Courts. His clients include developers and individuals as well as local authorities and residents' groups.
Damien's practice concentrates on two areas of Public Law: governance, powers, and decision-making in local authorities and public organisations; and, Information Law (Data Protection, Freedom of Information, and the Environmental Information Regulations or "EIR").
Peggy's strong practice in Social Housing is complemented by her expertise in the Administrative Court, principally for Community Care, and the Court of Protection.
Peggy has been ranked in Social Housing in Chambers and Partners continuously since 2009 and has been described as "extremely impressive...
Dean is marked out by the legal directories as a leading junior in landlord and tenant, property, public and administrative law and has a particular expertise in housing and related administrative law.
He also has expertise in local government, regulation and the licensing of private sector accommodation. He advises and represents local authorities and landlords nationwide, as well as individuals.
"Praised for his methodical advocacy and adept representation of local authorities and social landlords at all levels of court and tribunal." Chambers and Partners 2018
Josef's practice at the Bar focuses on licensing, town and country planning, regulatory work and property including landlord and tenant.
He acts for and advises a wide range of local authorities, the licensed trade, developers, regulatory bodies, landlords and private individuals.
Emmaline is ranked as a leading junior in planning, and health and safety in the latest editions of the Chambers UK Bar directory and the Legal 500 UK Bar directory.
Clare has a busy and growing practice in public law encompassing in particular planning, housing, regulatory and property law. She regularly acts both for and against central government, local authorities and other public bodies.
Clare has been instructed by the Department for Transport to join the legal team advising on a wide variety of aspects of the HS2 project.
Clare's expertise in public law was recognised by her promotion to the Attorney General's Panel of Counsel (B Panel) from C Panel. She has been listed on The Planner's Women of Influence 2018.
A versatile public law lawyer with a broad practice, Estelle is recognised as a leading junior in environment and planning law (with particular expertise in climate change matters). The other main area of her work is data protection and access to information. She also practices in election law and inquests. Estelle is a member of the Attorney General's B Panel.
Jenny is a specialist in social housing and homelessness, adult and child social care, mental capacity and mental health law, public and administrative law, and immigration.
In Chambers & Partners, Jenny is commended for being "completely on top of issues, extremely smart and alert to every possible challenge."
Rob is a specialist in public and administrative, planning and environmental, and compulsory purchase law.
He regularly appears in the higher courts and at inquiries on behalf of central and local government, other public bodies and private parties.
In September 2017, Rob was promoted to the Attorney General's 'B Panel' of Counsel, having previously been on the 'C Panel' for a period of 5 years.
"A very good planning junior, clever and determined..."
The Legal 500 2018
Emma is passionate about public and administrative law, and this is the unifying element of the various areas of her practice. She is on the Attorney General's C panel of counsel and is now being regularly instructed in High Court judicial review matters.
Emma's major practice areas are planning, housing and licensing, but she aims to keep her practice broad in recognition of the interrelationships between different areas.
Zoë accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers' work and has a broad practice acting for local authorities, housing associations, individuals and companies.
She is particularly interested in administrative, community care, housing and immigration law.
Jack specialises in administrative and public law, planning and environment and property.
He also has expertise in a range of related areas including Commercial, Local Authority Governance & Services, Licensing, and Housing.
He is named as an "up and coming" planning barrister in Chambers and Partners 2018 and is described as having "a winning combination of approachability and intensity" and as being "a man of incisive judgment."
Richard is developing a versatile practice which includes a range of practice areas: housing, planning, licensing, property, local authority governance and services, public law, and regulatory law.
He advises private companies, individuals, and public authorities.
Ben is a specialist in planning, licensing, and administrative and public law.
He acts for and advises a broad range of public authorities and private clients, including landlords, developers, the licensed trade and private individuals.
Dr Ashley Bowes specialises in all aspects of planning, property, licensing and local government law.
He is a member of the Attorney General's C Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown, in which capacity he represents the UK Government in his areas of specialism and was shortlisted by Chambers & Partners as Environment/Planning Junior of the Year 2018.
Ashley is also the General Editor of Sweet & Maxwell's Journal of Planning & Environment Law and the author of the forthcoming 14th edition of Oxford University Press's 'A Practical Approach to Planning Law'.
"Technically excellent and user friendly"
Legal 500 (2019)
"He is a rising star - incredibly talented and has a huge capacity to deliver"
Chambers & Partners (2019)
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.
He is ranked as a "rising star" in the Chambers & Partners directory of highly-rated barristers. He was nominated for the Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year award in October 2018.
Tara practices in all of chambers' core areas, in particular public law and judicial review, housing, licensing, property and planning.
She has appeared across all levels of courts and specialist tribunals up to the Court of Appeal. She undertakes a broad range of drafting and advisory work for all types of clients.
Ruchi accepts instructions in all of Chambers' core practice areas. She regularly appears in the County Court, Magistrates' Courts and High Court and has experience (as a junior) in the Court of Appeal.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Ruchi worked in public law, human rights and international law.
John accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers' work. As such, his practice encompasses Administrative & Public law, Planning & Environmental law, Information law, Licensing, Housing and Inquests & Inquiries.
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.
Alex is developing a broad practice that focuses primarily on public law and human rights, with an emphasis on social housing and planning, but also encompasses commercial law, licensing and information law.
He advises, drafts and regularly appears in both the civil and criminal courts for central and local government and private clients. As a pupil he appeared as junior counsel at a major 3-week planning inquiry and assisted his supervisors with a broad range of work involving High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court proceedings.
Sam has provided legal and policy advice at all levels of government, from the Council of Europe to parish councils.
He is developing a broad practice in all areas of Chambers' work, and has a particular interest in Public and Constitutional Law, Planning and Environmental law, Data Protection and Privacy, and Freedom of Information.
020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591
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Birmingham: 43 Temple Row, B2 5LS
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