Administrative Law or Judicial Review
Human Rights
Planning
I was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2022, having previously been called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2018.
I practise in the broad field of public law, with a particular focus on planning, environmental, and local government law.
Within those areas of law, I act for a wide range of public and private sector clients with a diverse range of interests, including developers, landowners, local councils, national interest groups and charities, and local residents.
I am a member of the Government Legal Service for Northern Ireland Civil Panel of Counsel (C Panel).
I am also qualified in England and Wales where I practice from Francis Taylor Building Chambers.
2017; LLB (First Class Honours) – Durham University
2018; Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding) – BPP Law School (London)
2018; Called to the Bar of England and Wales (Gray’s Inn)
I have advised private and public sector clients at all stages of the planning process.
This includes strategic advice on planning applications and enforcement matters, representation at appeals and public inquiries before the Planning Appeals Commission, representation before council planning committees, and related judicial review work.
I have particular expertise in advising clients in the agricultural, renewable energy, residential, retail, and waste sectors.
A significant proportion of my work involves the interaction between planning and environmental law, particularly as it relates to habitats regulations assessments, environmental impact assessments, and climate change.
I often advise clients on related regulatory regimes including the marine licensing regime under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, the environmental permitting regime under the Pollution Prevention and Control (Industrial Emissions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013, and the nutrient management regime under the Nutrient Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019. I have experience of advising on and litigating statutory nuisance claims.
I have considerable experience of the local development plan process, particularly from a local authority perspective.
Notable Cases:
In the matter of an application by No Gas Caverns Limited and Friends of the Earth Limited for judicial review [2024] NICA 50
In the matter of an application by Belfast City Council for judicial review [2024] NIKB 47
In the matter of an application by Lonan McLaughlin for judicial review [2024] NICA 18