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.

28

Nov' 24

High Court Rejects Judicial Review Challenge to Erection of Telegraph Poles

The High Court has handed down judgment dismissing a judicial review of Wychavon District Council’s decision that proposals to install telegraph poles in the areas of Lifford Gardens and the Sands Estate “fell within the scope” of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (“GPDO”).

04

Nov' 24

A Boat Is Not a Building for CIL Purposes

Lord Justice Lewison has refused permission to appeal from the decision of Mrs Justice Lang refusing Newham LBC permission for judicial review ([2024] EWHC 2321 (Admin)).

"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

28

Nov' 24

High Court Rejects Judicial Review Challenge to Erection of Telegraph Poles

04

Nov' 24

A Boat Is Not a Building for CIL Purposes

Lord Justice Lewison has refused permission to appeal from the decision of Mrs Justice Lang refusing Newham LBC permission for judicial review ([2024] EWHC 2321 (Admin)).

29

Jan' 25

Alternative 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: 29 January 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.

Book Here

04

Jun' 25

Judicial 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.

Book Here

26

Mar' 25

Retained 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: Richard Honey KC
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.

Book Here