Local Government

Chambers is highly ranked by the leading independent legal directories for its work across a broad spectrum of local government work including in particular for planning, licensing, local government finance and compulsory purchase.

The Legal 500, 2024 notes that FTB is "one of the leading local government sets with experience across the board in local government law" and a "fantastic set to work with." Chambers and Partners 2023 comments that Francis Taylor Building has "very good level of expertise across the board" and "good-quality work".

Chambers' expertise includes all aspects of local government law and procedures:

Local government powers
- Planning
- Licensing
- Local government finance including rating and the Council Tax
- Compulsory purchase
Highways, Commons and Open Spaces
Election law
Education
Assets of Community Value
Public Procurement
Public health and environment
Maladministration
Standards in local government

Members of chambers have been involved in cases involving the Commissioner for Local Administration, the Parliamentary Commissioner and the Standards Board for England. In Hong Kong members have acted for public utilities and developers on major matters.

Junior members of Chambers also attend secondments at local and public authorities where they advise and appear on a variety of different local government issues.

14

Nov' 25

FTB Named as Environment/Planning Set of the Year by Chambers and Partners Bar Awards 2025

Chambers is delighted to be named as Environment/Planning Set of the Year by the Chambers and Partners Bar Awards 2025.

22

Oct' 25

CPA Board Elections - Daisy Noble, Hugh Flanagan and Caroline Daly

Following the recent elections for the Board of the Compulsory Purchase Association, Hugh Flanagan has been elected to as a director of the Board.

Daisy Noble, who has been Vice Chair for the last year has taken over as Chair of the Association.

Caroline Daly, who continues to serve on the Board, has been reappointed as Honorary Secretary for a further year.

"One of the leading local government sets with experience across the board in local government law" and a ‘" fantastic set to work with."

Legal 500, 2024

"very good level of expertise across the board" and "good-quality work."

Chambers and Partners, 2023

"Areas of particular strength for the set's members include cases relating to local government finances and council tax, as well as complex public health, licensing and highways matters. The team is also regularly called upon to advise on ratings and land valuation matters, and offers considerable expertise in relation to compulsory purchase orders and compensation."

Chambers and Partners, 2022

"The team is highly regarded for its expertise in rating matters, and handles instructions relating to local government finances, council tax, licensing and compulsory purchase orders and compensation."

Legal 500, 2022

"The set as a whole has extremely knowledgeable and hard working barristers with a wealth of experience and offers a good range of barristers within different price ranges."

Legal 500, 2022

14

Nov' 25

FTB Named as Environment/Planning Set of the Year by Chambers and Partners Bar Awards 2025

Chambers is delighted to be named as Environment/Planning Set of the Year by the Chambers and Partners Bar Awards 2025.

22

Oct' 25

CPA Board Elections - Daisy Noble, Hugh Flanagan and Caroline Daly

Following the recent elections for the Board of the Compulsory Purchase Association, Hugh Flanagan has been elected to as a director of the Board.

Daisy Noble, who has been Vice Chair for the last year has taken over as Chair of the Association.

Caroline Daly, who continues to serve on the Board, has been reappointed as Honorary Secretary for a further year.

17

Nov' 25

Annual Compulsory Purchase and Compensation Seminar 2025 (Hybrid)

This afternoon seminar will focus on legal matters relevant to compulsory purchase and compensation and should be of benefit to all those working in this field including acquiring authority officers, solicitors, surveyors, planners, accountants and developers.

The seminar will be chaired by Richard Glover KC.

Confirmed speakers and topics:

Nofax Station Road Ltd v LB Barnet - Rebecca Clutten and Jeffrey Chu
Hidden Loyalties and Visible Masks: ways of becoming a more independent expert - James Pereira KC and George Mackenzie
Human Rights Update - Richard Honey KC and Merrow Golden
Survey Rights and Securing Land Access - Annabel Graham Paul
The Rules and Practice of Preliminary Issue Determinations - Caroline Daly
Hope Value - Gregory Jones KC and Armin Solimani
Case Law and Legislation Update - Meyric Lewis KC and Esther Drabkin-Reiter

Practical Information

Date and Time: 17 November 2025. Registration from 1.30-2.00pm. Seminar from 2.00 - 5.30pm including a mid-afternoon refreshment break. It will be followed by a drinks reception from 5.30 - 7.00pm.

Venue: The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, Crown Office Row, Temple, London EC4Y 7HL.
Virtual attendees can join by Zoom (joining instructions will be sent to attendees a few days before the event).

Cost: The cost for in person* and virtual attendance is the same. The standard charge is £160 + VAT per attendee. By booking three delegates at the same time, you will automatically be entitled to a special rate of three delegates for the price of two.
Bookings can be made via Eventbrite and payment can be made by credit card at the time of booking or later by BACS but must be received prior to the event. Confirmation/s and invoice/s will be issued by Eventbrite after booking.

There are a limited number of free places for local authorities and government departments. Please contact Deirdre Mahon for further information.

* In person places are now sold out. Virtual places are still available.

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