Practice Profile

Claire is building a busy practice across all of Chambers’ practice areas. Before her call to the Bar in 2021, Claire gained valuable experience of the intersection between environmental and human rights law in her work for the United Nations in Geneva, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and a number of NGOs. The breadth of Claire’s previous experience with international organisations, a government department and campaign groups means she is already well-practised in considering complex and sensitive legal issues from a range of perspectives. 

Given Claire’s previous career, she is frequently instructed to advise on matters where there is an overlap between environmental and human rights law. She has advised campaign groups in relation to a gold mine, a proposed oil terminal and the Port of London’s proposed Harbour Revision Order. The law of chemical regulation is of particular interest to Claire. She has recently advised on the lawfulness of industrial discharges containing PFAS (“forever chemicals”), participated in an investigation into PFAS contamination by the ENDS Report and written about this area for Chambers’ Environment Law Blog.

Some of Claire’s most recent planning work involved advising a major developer in relation to the translocation of protected species, advising an environmental NGO on potential breaches of conditions attached to a planning permission for a gold mine and advising a local authority on housing developments involving s.73 and s.96A applications. Claire is currently instructed as sole and junior counsel defending several planning judicial reviews on retail and permitted development rights.

Claire is developing a busy inquiry practice. She acted as sole counsel for a successful Rule 6 Party in a high-profile five-day planning inquiry encompassing issues such as designated Local Open Space, a Grade I listed heritage asset, ecology and the provision of affordable and market housing. She recently acted as junior counsel to Suzanne Ornsby KC in a two-week planning inquiry on behalf of the successful South Gloucestershire Council and was instructed as sole counsel for a Rule 6 Party in a three-day planning enforcement inquiry where Claire secured a costs award against the appellant. Claire is currently instructed as sole counsel for a London-based local authority in an upcoming four-day inquiry centred a proposed housing development where affordable housing and viability are main issues. Claire is keen to continue developing her inquiry practice as she enjoys working as part of a team and cross-examining expert witnesses. She has a particular interest in planning inquiries with a heritage element and most her inquiry work so far has involved potential impacts of a development on a listed heritage asset.

In terms of her environmental work, Claire’s recent work has focused on international maritime law. She is currently instructed as junior counsel in a judicial review concerning the lawfulness of UK fishing opportunities and has been involved in another international fisheries law dispute. She has been instructed on several occasions to advise on claims in statutory nuisance with one recent advice considered the merits of appealing a court’s refusal to quash an abatement notice.

Since coming to Chambers, Claire has assisted with a wide range of work raising complex issues of domestic and EU environmental law, including the application of human rights law in an environmental context and challenges involving Habitats Regulations Assessments. Claire conducted research and drafted advices and skeleton arguments on matters including major energy projects, commons and village greens, flood defence works, sewage pollution from storm overflows, charitable exemptions from the Community Infrastructure Levy and permitted development rights in a conservation area. Claire also provided research and drafting assistance during a two-week planning inquiry on a proposal for a major solar farm in an historic parkland containing listed heritage assets. 

Alongside practice at the Bar, Claire regularly contributes to policy and educational initiatives in the field of environmental law. Claire was invited to deliver a workshop on the Rights of Nature alongside environmental lawyers working in the UK and internationally, representatives from NGOs and academics. She co-authored the Environmental Justice Network Ireland, Queen's University Belfast School of Law and Lawyers for Nature’s submission to the Irish Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss and supervised LLM students at the University of Essex on a project focusing on the right to a healthy environment in the UK. She is a regular contributor to Chambers’ Environmental Law Blog and an expert contributor to Lexis Nexis’ environmental module on the law of sewers and drains.

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  • Junior counsel in a judicial review concerning the UK’s setting of annual fishing opportunities.
  • Involved in other international maritime law disputes involving fishing opportunities and environmental measures.
  • Advised a campaign group in relation to the proposed development of an oil terminal in Northern Ireland.
  • Advised a campaign group objecting to the Port of London Authority’s proposed Harbour Revision Order on environmental grounds.
  • Advised on potential breaches of environmental law in relation to industrial discharges containing PFAS (“forever chemicals”).
  • Advised a major developer on a proposal involving the translocation of protected species.
  • Advised on matters of planning, environmental and human rights law relating to a gold mine in Northern Ireland.  
  • Research and drafting assistance in Environment Agency prosecutions involving waste operations and pollution.
  • Prepared a draft advice relating to the Environmental Improvement Plans governed by the Environment Act 2021.
  • Research and drafting assistance on a judicial review of the Government’s Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan.
  • Research and drafting assistance for a judicial review challenging the grant of mineral prospecting licences.
  • Advised on legal personhood and the rights of rivers. 

Claire is a regular contributor to Chambers’ Environment Law Blog.

  • Currently instructed for a local authority as junior to Douglas Edwards KC on a planning judicial review concerning a retail development.
  • Acting as sole counsel for a local authority defending a claim in judicial review involving agricultural permitted development rights.
  • Acting as sole counsel for a London-based local authority on an upcoming planning inquiring centred on affordable housing and questions of viability.
  • Advised a local authority on a developer’s s.73 and s.96A applications regarding a planning permission for mixed use residential and employment land.
  • Represented the successful Rule 6 Party, Park Road Allotment Association in a five-day planning inquiry challenging the Duke of Northumberland’s proposal for a housing development on designated Local Open Space to cross-subsidise renovations to Grade I listed, Syon House. The inquiry received widespread coverage in national and international media.
  • Junior counsel to Suzanne Ornsby KC on behalf of the successful South Gloucestershire Council in an inquiry concerning a proposed residential development.
  • Secured a costs award for a Rule 6 Party in an enforcement inquiry.
  • Advised on potential breaches of conditions attached to a planning permission for a gold mine.
  • Drafting and research assistance during a two-week planning inquiry on a proposal for a major solar farm in an historic parkland with listed heritage assets.
  • Drafted an advice on the lawfulness of a notification letter informing a government department of a Council’s decision to grant planning permission for a residential development, community centre and associated works.
  • Drafted an advice on permitted development rights for a development located in a conservation area.
  • Drafted an advice on charitable exemptions from the Community Infrastructure Levy.
  • Drafted a Statement of Facts and Grounds for a judicial review challenging a Local Authority’s decision to grant planning permission for a residential development.
  • Drafted an advice on the prospects of obtaining a certificate of lawful use.
  • Research assistance on the extent of the Secretary of State’s discretion in exercising their call-in powers under s.77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Claire is currently engaged by HS2 on a compensation dispute. She has also appeared in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) on behalf of a claimant.

Claire has recently advised on a complex major infrastructure project.

Research and drafting assistance in a judicial review challenging an Inspector’s decision to grant consent for certain restricted works to be carried out on common land.

  • Successfully resisted permission to apply for judicial review and secured a costs award for a local authority defending a claim involving allegations of procedural unfairness, bias and breaches of the human rights act.
  • Advised on the merits of judicially reviewing a court’s refusal to quash an abatement notice.
  • Drafted an advice on the lawfulness of an Order made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
  • Research and drafting assistance in a judicial review on the extent of powers under the Coal Industry Act 1994 for determining applications for licences to conduct coal mining operations.
  • Drafted an advice on liability for flood defence works under the Metropolis Management (Thames River Prevention of Floods) Amendment Act 1879.
  • Research and drafting assistance for an advice concerning the constitutional conventions applying to the powers exercised by Governor Generals.
  • Drafted a skeleton argument challenging the lawfulness of remote hearings under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Claire has experience representing responsible authorities and business holders in licensing matters. Recent cases involved successful applications on behalf of business holders and a successful application to revoke the licence of a restaurant/bar. She will act as sole counsel for a restaurant/bar in an upcoming four-day Magistrates Court appeal turning on allegations of noise nuisance. Claire is also regularly instructed in Transport for London licensing hearings.

Claire provided research and drafting assistance on an application for a faculty for exhumation involving a cross-jurisdictional analysis of the law of exhumation in the Church of Ireland and the Church of England.

Claire has represented businesses disputing claims for rates and council tax arrears.

Claire is particularly interested in and working to develop expertise in chemicals law. She has recently been instructed to advise on potential breaches of environmental law in relation to industrial discharges containing PFAS (“forever chemicals”).

Given Claire’s previous career working for the United Nations, the Council of Europe and international human rights NGOs, Claire has vast experience and expertise in human rights law. She is regularly instructed to advise in cases where there is an overlap between environmental and human rights law. 

  • The King’s Inns, Dublin, Advanced Diploma in Irish Planning and Environmental Law (2022)
  • The Inns of Court College of Advocacy, London, Bar Course (2021)
  • City, University of London, GDL (2020) (Distinction)
  • European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation, Venice, MA in Human Rights and Democratisation (2015)
  • Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, B.A. European Studies (2014) (First) 
     

 

  • Recipient of the 2023 Bar European Group's Peter Duffy Scholarship
  • The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple GDL Exhibition Award (2019) 
  • City, University of London, Law School GDL Scholarship Award (2019)
  • Awarded funding by European Inter-University Centre in Venice to undertake a six-month traineeship at the EU Delegation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg for graduating amongst the top fifteen students with a Masters in Human Rights and Democratisation (2015)
  • Winners’ Category of International Undergraduate Awards Competition in Social Sciences category for paper, “To what extent do Michel Foucault’s views on power and panopticism inform our understanding of modern-day control and surveillance?” (Finishing in the top 10% of 5,500 entries) (2015).
  • Dean of Students’ Roll of Honour for Contribution to Student Life as President of the Trinity College Dublin French Society (2011)
  • Entrance Exhibition Award from Trinity College Dublin for outstanding Leaving Certificate (Irish equivalent of A-Levels) results (2011)
     

 

Before coming to the Bar, Claire gained valuable experience of the intersection between environmental and human rights law in her previous career working for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders in Geneva, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights and the international, Dublin-based NGO, Front Line Defenders. She also worked for the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs as Deputy to the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the Council of Europe, Strasbourg. Alongside her pupillage, Claire supervises LLM students at the University of Essex Law Clinic and Human Rights Centre Clinic on a project focusing on the implementation of the right to a healthy environment in the UK.

  • UK Environmental Law Association
  • The Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA)
  • Planning and Environmental Bar Association (PEBA)
     
  • Co-drafter of the Environmental Justice Network Ireland, Queen’s University Belfast School of Law and Lawyers for Nature’s submission to the Irish Citizens’ Assembly entitled, “Rights of Nature in Ireland: Towards a Living Island of Rights-Bearing Communities”, September 2022.
  • “Nature Rights are Human Rights: The UN Human Rights Council Resolution on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment”, Lawyers for Nature Blog, 25 March 2022.
  • “Bridging the Gap between Law and Reality: The Endurance of Oppressive Cultural Norms and the Silencing of Survivors of Domestic Violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina” in the 2016 edition of the International Journal on Rule of Law, Transitional Justice and Human Rights Vol. 6. 
     
  • French (fluent)
  • Irish (very good)
  • Italian (very good)
  • Spanish (very good)
     

Outside of work, Claire is a marathon and half marathon runner, Lindy Hop and solo jazz dancer. She also enjoys open-mic storytelling. In 2018, she was a National Finalist in the Dublin Story Slam in The Abbey Theatre, Dublin.

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Latest from Claire
11
Sep' 24
Planning Permission Quashed for Redevelopment and Expansion of Cloghan Point Oil Terminal

Following a challenge brought by Stop Whitehead Oil Terminal campaign group, on 09 September 2024, the High Court in Belfast ordered Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to quash its 25 April 2024 decision to grant planning permission for the redevelopment and expansion of the Cloghan Point Oil Terminal at Whitehead. Cloghan Point was built in the 1970s to serve Ballylumford and Kilroot power stations and has recently been used to store part of the Republic of Ireland’s strategic reserve of diesel and gas oil.

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19
Jun' 24
London Legal Walk 2024

Chambers is delighted to so far have raised £1660 for the London Legal Support Trust which includes a £750 donation from Chambers.

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12
Dec' 23
Northumberland Estates Refused Permission for 80 Residential Dwellings on Local Open Space Used as Allotments Following Public Inquiry

Northumberland Estates, which represents the business interests of the Duke of Northumberland and the Percy family, has failed to secure planning permission for 80 residential dwellings, concierge building, car and cycle parking, landscaping and associated works; and infrastructure and other structures associated with allotment use.

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30
Nov' 23
Bloor Homes Refused Permission for 180 Dwellings in the Village of Wickwar, South Gloucestershire Following Public Inquiry

Bloor Homes have failed to secure planning permission for 180 dwellings in the village of Wickwar following a public inquiry. Members at South Gloucestershire Council had refused permission, against officer recommendation, in circumstances where it was accepted that the tilted balance was engaged. 

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13
Jun' 24
Positive Obligations, Standing, and Victim Status in Klimaseniorinnen v Switzerland [2024] ECHR 304

On 09 April 2024, the European Court of Human Rights (“ECtHR”) handed down its long-awaited judgment in three seminal climate cases: Carême v France (ECHR no 7189/21), Duarte Agostinho v Portugal and 32 others (ECHR no 39371/20), and Verein Klimaseniorinnen v Switzerland [2024] ECHR 304, no 53600/20. See Jonathan Welch’s previous blog post on Duarte Agostinho v Portugal.

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21
Mar' 24
Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility in Action: The Advertising Standards Authority bans a Toyota SUV advert for not being prepared with a sense of social responsibility

In November 2023, the Advertising Standards Authority (“the ASA”) made the unprecedented decision to ban two Toyota SUV advertisements on the basis that they had “not been prepared with a sense of responsibility to society.”

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01
Feb' 24
FTB Environmental Law Blog Welcomes New Members of the Editorial Board

Happy New Year from FTB’s Environmental Law Blog! We are delighted to announce two new members of the Editorial Board – Dr Richard Caddell and Claire Nevin, whose biographies are provided below.

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21
Nov' 23
Overview of the Regulatory Regimes Governing the Use of PFAS

This blog is the second of a two-part series on Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), or so-called “forever chemicals”. Part 1 provided an overview of the environmental and public health risks associated with PFAS and explored the potential legal avenues for providing redress in the courts. Part 2 considers in more detail the regulatory regimes governing the use of PFAS.

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