Public Law

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.

26

Feb' 26

ENVA Withdraws Judicial Review Against Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has confirmed that judicial review proceedings brought by ENVA Ireland Ltd in relation to the Council’s decision to move from separate household waste collection to a co‑mingled collection system have been withdrawn.

17

Feb' 26

Court of Appeal Refuses Permission to Appeal on Latest Sizewell C JR – Application Certified as Totally Without Merit

The Court of Appeal (Holgate LJ) has refused an application for permission to appeal by Together Against Sizewell C Ltd. (“TASC”) in its latest judicial review of decision-making on Sizewell C and certified the application as totally without merit (“TWM”). A copy of the Court of Appeal’s order including the reasons can be found here.

"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, 2022

26

Feb' 26

ENVA Withdraws Judicial Review Against Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

17

Feb' 26

Court of Appeal Refuses Permission to Appeal on Latest Sizewell C JR – Application Certified as Totally Without Merit

11

Jun' 26

Public Law Webinar – Avoiding Judicial Review Pitfalls

This lunchtime webinar will provide an overview of the common errors made by public authorities which lead to judicial review claims – and those made in defending such claims – together with advice on how to avoid them. It will cover both substantive legal issues and judicial review practice and procedure.

The webinar will be of interest to public authorities, including central Government Departments and agencies, and local government. It would also be of interest to those who seek to challenge the decisions, actions and policies of public authorities, as it will consider areas where authorities commonly make mistakes.

The speakers will be Richard Honey KC and Kate Olley, the former and current heads of the FTB public law practice group. Both Richard and Kate are very experienced in bringing and defending judicial review claims, especially in the local government, planning and environment fields. They act for claimants, defendants and interested parties.

Practical Information
Date: 11 June 2026
Time: 1.00 - 2.00pm
Venue: Online via Zoom
Cost and Booking: There is no charge to attend but places must be reserved in adavance using the Book Now button below. Following registration, joining instructions will be sent to attendees by Zoom.

Book Now