Rebecca is regarded as the ‘go to’ junior in this area, and has been described in Chambers and Partners as “a known expert in compensation” and “star junior counsel for CPO and compensation work”. She is a past Chairman of the Compulsory Purchase Association.

Rebecca has extensive experience of advising and representing both claimants and acquiring/compensating authorities on both the compulsory purchase process and on compensation and land valuation, as well as related matters such as blight and statutory wayleaves. She also has experience of advising respect of claims made pursuant to temporary possession powers and discretionary compensation schemes.

Recent or notable work in this area includes:

• Acting for the claimants in a number of multi-million pound claims against HS2 relating to land take at and around Euston Station
• Acting for Network Rail in relation to multiple compensation disputes arising out of the Thameslink project
• Acting for National Grid in relation to the successful Viking Link Interconnector CPO, amongst other National Grid projects
• Several substantial regeneration CPOs, including Meridian Water on behalf of LB Enfield
• Acting for the Manchester Ship Canal Company in an 8 week inquiry into a compulsory purchase order made by United Utilities pursuant to powers under the Water Industry Act 1991

Rebecca has developed a broad practice in the infrastructure sector, with experience covering energy developments, rail infrastructure, water and sewerage and airports, across the Town and Country Planning, DCO and Transport and Works Act regimes. Rebecca's experience also covers the Hybrid Bill procedure, having advised Petitioners to the High Speed 2 Rail Link. In this context, Rebecca has also appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee.

Recent or notable work in this area includes:

• Promotion of Network Rail Transport and Works Act Orders, including the new Cambridge South railway station
• Advising and acting for National Grid and National Grid Ventures in respect of the Bramford to Twinstead Project, North West Coast Connection Project, Hinkley Point C Connection Project, and North London Reinforcement Project, and the Viking Link and other interconnector projects
• Advising and acting for London Underground Limited, as junior to Andrew Tait KC, in respect of the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade, a £1/2m billion upgrade to Bank Station in the City of London
• As part of her infrastructure practice, Rebecca has significant practical experience of advising in respect of EIA, HRA, consultation and land acquisition matters. She also has experience of highways matters, including stopping up.

Rebecca's core planning practice covers a diverse range of work, including housing and mixed-use schemes, leisure uses, permitted development rights, planning obligations, and advertisements, as well as complex enforcement matters.  She regularly appears in planning and enforcement inquiries, as well as having experience in the appellate courts on planning matters.

As a result of Rebecca's infrastructure planning work, she has particular experience of advising in respect of the EIA and HRA matters, including the adequacy of Environment Statements and Habitat Regulations Assessments. She also has substantial experience in respect of water and sewerage law.

Recent or notable work in this area includes:

• Acting for the successful appellant landowner in a nine-year enforcement case relating to the development of land in the Green Belt for multiple ‘bad neighbour’ uses
• Advising multiple authorities in relation to the use of the power contained in section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016
• Advising Network Rail in respect of their successful planning application for a new light railway depot in Ashford, Kent
• Acting for National Grid in relation to their planning appeal for the Viking Link Interconnector Project

Rebecca's local government experience covers:

• Local Authority land acquisition, disposal and regeneration
• Application of local authority powers, including the Localism Act power of general competence
• Notable work includes advising Westminster City Council in relation to its Housing Renewal Strategy (and related compulsory acquisition), which aimed to regenerate five estates within the London Borough.
   

Rebecca regularly contributes to textbooks and journals. Published work has included contributions to:

• Compulsory Purchase and Compensation Service (Bloomsbury Professional)
• The National Infrastructure Planning Service (Bloomsbury Professional)
• The Habitats Directive: A Developer's Obstacle Course? (Hart, 2012) (see "Are imperative reasons imperlling the Habitats Directive?" (with Isabella Tafur))
• The Law of Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions (OUP, 2011)
• The Solicitor's Journal and Young Lawyer magazines
   

Past Chairman and Committee Member, CPA
Member of PEBA and NIPA

• Exhibitioner of the Inner Temple; recipient of the Michael Hodges Benefactors Award
• BVC, College of Law
• MA (Cantab) Law; Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge

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