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 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. 

17
Apr' 25
Court of Appeal Upholds Planning Permission for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Appraisal in the High Weald AONB

The Court of Appeal (Sir Keith Lindblom (SPT) and Singh and Holgate LJs) has dismissed an appeal by Frack Free Balcombe Resident’s Association against the High Court’s rejection of its challenge to an Inspector’s grant of planning permission for the exploration and appraisal of hydrocarbons near Balcombe in the High Weald AONB. The Appellant sought to challenge the High Court’s decision on four grounds. Each of those grounds was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which also refused permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

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16
Apr' 25
Court of Appeal Overturns High Court and Finds Isle of Wight Permission for 473 Dwellings Unlawful: Greenfields (IOW) Limited v Isle of Wight Council [2025] EWCA Civ 488

Following a two day hearing earlier this month, the Court of Appeal (Singh and Lewis LJJ) has handed down judgment in Greenfields (IOW) Limited v Isle of Wight Council [2025] EWCA Civ 488 overturning the decision of the High Court and finding that the grant of planning permission for 473 dwellings, a café, doctors’ surgery and other associated infrastructure at Westridge Acre Park on the Isle of Wight was unlawful on grounds of a failure to publish the section 106 planning obligation.

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"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
17
Apr' 25
Court of Appeal Upholds Planning Permission for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Appraisal in the High Weald AONB

The Court of Appeal (Sir Keith Lindblom (SPT) and Singh and Holgate LJs) has dismissed an appeal by Frack Free Balcombe Resident’s Association against the High Court’s rejection of its challenge to an Inspector’s grant of planning permission for the exploration and appraisal of hydrocarbons near Balcombe in the High Weald AONB. The Appellant sought to challenge the High Court’s decision on four grounds. Each of those grounds was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which also refused permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Read more
16
Apr' 25
Court of Appeal Overturns High Court and Finds Isle of Wight Permission for 473 Dwellings Unlawful: Greenfields (IOW) Limited v Isle of Wight Council [2025] EWCA Civ 488

Following a two day hearing earlier this month, the Court of Appeal (Singh and Lewis LJJ) has handed down judgment in Greenfields (IOW) Limited v Isle of Wight Council [2025] EWCA Civ 488 overturning the decision of the High Court and finding that the grant of planning permission for 473 dwellings, a café, doctors’ surgery and other associated infrastructure at Westridge Acre Park on the Isle of Wight was unlawful on grounds of a failure to publish the section 106 planning obligation.

Read more
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

King's Counsel

Simon Bird KC

Call: 1987 | Silk: 2009

Robert McCracken KC

Call: 1973 | Silk: 2003

Andrew Tait KC

Call: 1981 | Silk: 2003

Michael Humphries KC

Call: 1982 | Silk: 2003

Gerald Gouriet KC

Call: 1974 | Silk: 2006

David Matthias KC

Call: 1980 | Silk: 2006

Morag Ellis KC

Call: 1984 | Silk: 2006

Craig Howell Williams KC

Call: 1983 | Silk: 2008

Mark Hill KC

Call: 1987 | Silk: 2009

Douglas Edwards KC

Call: 1992 | Silk: 2010

Gregory Jones KC

Call: 1991 | Silk: 2011

Suzanne Ornsby KC

Call: 1986 | Silk: 2012

James Pereira KC

Call: 1996 | Silk: 2014

Saira Kabir Sheikh KC

Call: 2000 | Silk: 2014

Andrew Fraser-Urquhart KC

Call: 1993 | Silk: 2015

Hereward Phillpot KC

Call: 1997 | Silk: 2015

Alexander Booth KC

Call: 2000 | Silk: 2016

Richard Honey KC

Call: 2003 | Silk: 2021

Meyric Lewis KC

Call: 1986 | Silk: 2023

Junior Counsel

Philip Petchey

Call: 1976

James Rankin

Call: 1983

Gary Grant

Call: 1994

Leo Charalambides

Call: 1998

Emyr Jones

Call: 1999

Kate Olley

Call: 1999

John Jolliffe

Call: 2005

Professor Pavlos Eleftheriadis

Call: 2006

Cain Ormondroyd

Call: 2007

Annabel Graham Paul

Call: 2008

Hugh Flanagan

Call: 2008

Rebecca Clutten

Call: 2008

Ned Westaway

Call: 2009

Isabella Tafur

Call: 2009

David Graham

Call: 2010

Michael Fry

Call: 2011

George Mackenzie

Call: 2011

Professor Gordon Anthony

Call: 2011

Alexander Greaves

Call: 2012

Caroline Daly

Call: 2013

Charles Streeten

Call: 2013

Charles Forrest

Call: 2014

Merrow Golden

Call: 2014

Daisy Noble

Call: 2015

Charles Merrett

Call: 2016

Esther Drabkin-Reiter

Call: 2017

Brendan Brett

Call: 2017

Brendan Brett

Call: 2017

Conor Fegan

Call: 2018

Michael Rhimes

Call: 2019

Michael Feeney

Call: 2021

Mark O’Brien O’Reilly

Call: 2021, 2023 (Ireland)

Stephanie Bruce-Smith

Call: 2021

Claire Nevin

Call: 2021

Armin Solimani

Call: 2023

Gabriel Nelson

Call: 2023

Pupils

Jeffrey Chu

Call: 2024

Emma Rowland

Call: 2024