Double success for Cornerstone Barristers as Robin Green and Robert Williams to take Silk
Public law & judicial review, Planning & environment, Cornerstone Climate, Property, Local government
Cornerstone Barristers is immensely proud to announce that Joint Head of Chambers Robin Green and Joint Head of Planning Robert Williams will both be appointed King’s Counsel. They will be sworn in at a ceremony on 23 March 2026.
This dual appointment marks a significant milestone for Chambers and reflects the exceptional standing of both barristers at the forefront of public, planning and environmental law.
Robin Green
Robin Green has for many years been recognised as one of the leading practitioners in planning and public law, regularly appearing in the High Court, Court of Appeal and at major planning inquiries on behalf of local authorities and private clients. In the past year, his work has included a number of high-profile appellate and High Court matters.
These include:
- Somani Hotels v Epping Forest DC [2025] EWCA Civ 1134, concerning interim planning injunctions and the use of hotels to house asylum seekers,
- R (Wickford Development Company Ltd) v Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [2025] EWCA Civ 882, a Court of Appeal challenge relating to Forestry Commission restocking notices.
- West Suffolk Council v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2025] EWHC 861 (Admin), which addressed the interpretation of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order.
Alongside his busy practice, Robin serves as Joint Head of Chambers and is widely respected for his strategic judgment, clarity of advice and authoritative advocacy.
Robert Williams
Robert Williams is a leading public law specialist with particular expertise in planning and environmental law and is ranked in Tier 1 for planning by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. He is a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel, serves as joint head of the planning team, and is a founding member of Cornerstone Climate.
His recent work includes:
- Ross v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Renewable Energy Systems Ltd [2025] EWHC 1183 (Admin), the first case to consider national planning policy on the “overplanting” of solar farms,
- Vistry & Fairfax v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2025] PTSR 60, which raised important issues concerning development in the Green Belt.
- SBGA v Bristol City Council [2025] EWHC 3191 a judicial review concerning the redevelopment of Bristol Zoo, where he led on issues relating to biodiversity net gain.
Commenting on the appointments, Chief Executive Officer Nadia Biles Davies said:
“Robin’s and Robert’s appointments as King’s Counsel are richly deserved. They reflect not only their outstanding advocacy, expertise in their fields, and involvement in the highest level of cases, but also their leadership within Chambers. We are immensely proud of them both. These appointments exemplify our commitment to fully realising our members’ ambitions and supporting them to succeed at the very highest level.”
The forthcoming appointments of Robin Green and Robert Williams to Silk will bring the number of King’s Counsel at Cornerstone Barristers to 17 – the largest number in its 146-year history.
To instruct Robin or Robert, please contact our clerking team on 020 7242 4986 or email clerks@cornerstonebarristers.com
