Chambers is renowned for its expertise in all areas of public law, with extensive experience of judicial review and similar statutory challenges and appeals.
Chambers is renowned for its expertise in all areas of public law, with public law issues arising in nearly all of Chambers’ specialist practice areas. Members have extensive experience advising in relation to public law decisions, as well as challenging or defending those decisions in judicial review and similar statutory challenges and appeals.
Members of the team regularly act both for and against public authorities. Chambers’ broad client base includes government departments, local authorities, individuals, corporations, charitable bodies, and other public and private bodies including NGOs.
Chambers’ public law expertise spans a range of specialist areas, including the following:
• Commercial regulation
• Competition
• Education
• Equality law
• EU Law
• Human rights and civil liberties
• Immigration
• Licensing
• Local authority powers and finance
• Planning and environment
• Police and prison law
• Public procurement
• Social welfare and community care
The public law and judicial review team prides itself on its ability to field the right barrister or team to bring or defend any public law challenge, if necessary at very short notice.
31
Jan' 25Court of Appeal Provides Guidance on Role and Relationship of NPPF and PPG
The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in Mead Realisations Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2025] EWCA Civ 32, providing guidance on flood risk policy and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (“NPPF”) and Planning Practice Guidance (“PPG”), and the role and relationship of the NPPF and PPG more generally.
22
Jan' 25Stanthorne Hall ‘Great Expectations’ Judicial Review Dismissed: [2025] EWHC 23 (Admin)
The High Court has handed down judgment in R (Holohan) v Secretary of State for Transport and HS2 Ltd [2025] EWHC 23 (Admin), dismissing a judicial review of the Department for Transport’s refusal to lease a historic property, which had been acquired as part of the land assembly relating to HS2.
"FTB is an excellent set for planning, environment and local government, and is developing stronger expertise in broader public law work. There are very good barristers at all levels in chambers."
Legal 500, 2022"The clerks are absolutely superb and very quick to get back to you." "The clerks are very efficient."
Chambers and Partners, 2022"The clerks are good at finding availability quickly in very difficult circumstances." "The clerks are determined to make things work for their clients."
Chambers and Partners, 202226
Mar' 25Retained EU Law Update
This webinar will provide an up-to-date summary of where we are in relation to retained EU law and consider recent cases on the application of EU-derived law in the current legal context.
Chair: Merrow Golden
Speakers: Esther Drabkin-Reiter, Michael Rhimes
Practical Information
Date: 26 March 2025
Time: 1-2pm
Venue: Online via Zoom
Cost: There is no charge to attend but places must be booked in advance using the booking link below. Confirmation details will be sent to registered attendees by Zoom.
04
Jun' 25Judicial Review Costs and Procedure Update
This webinar will provide an update on costs in judicial review and practice and procedure points for those involved in public law litigation.
Chair: Stephanie Bruce-Smith
Speakers: Michael Feeney, Armin Solimani
Practical Details
Date: 4 June 2025
Time: 1-2pm
Venue: Online via Zoom
Cost: There is no charge to attend but places must be booked in advance using the booking link below. Confirmation details will be sent to registered attendees by Zoom.
17
Feb' 25Alternative Dispute Resolution in Judicial Review
This webinar will consider how mediation and early neutral evaluation can successfully be deployed in judicial review cases to resolve public law disputes, both from the perspective of these ADR procedures and in terms of fitting ADR into the case management of the judicial review. It comes in light of the increasing push for ADR in judicial review, both from the courts and the Civil Justice Council report on pre-action protocols. The position now, after Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, is that the court’s powers extend to compelling parties to engage in ADR, even when one is unwilling.
Chair: Caroline Daly
Speakers: Craig Howell Williams KC, Richard Honey KC, Stephanie Bruce-Smith
Practical Details
Date: 17 February 2025
Time: 1-2pm
Venue: Online via Zoom
Cost: There is no charge to attend but places must be booked in advance using the booking link below. Confirmation details will be sent to registered attendees by Zoom.