Cornerstone Barristers

The Government’s policy for achieving Net Zero Aviation by 2050 comes under scrutiny in the High Court this week. A four-day rolled-up judicial review challenging the lawfulness of the ‘Jet Zero Strategy’ begins tomorrow, involving three separate claims brought by two claimants (GALBA and Possible). The arguments will focus on (among other matters): ➡️ the consultation process leading up to the policy’s adoption ➡️ the government’s approach to demand management and non-CO2 emissions ➡️ the public sector equality duty. Estelle Dehon KC and Ruchi Parekh act for GALBA (Group for Action against Leeds Bradford Airport), instructed by Riccardo Gama at Leigh Day. Read their full update here: https://lnkd.in/eapjnyUC #JetZero #AviationPolicy #NetZeroAviation #SustainableAviation #JudicialReview #ClimateLitigation #EnvironmentalLaw #HighCourt

We're delighted to announce that Richard Hanstock has been appointed to the List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates by the Attorney General. The Regulatory List is a specialist list of advocates, selected by bodies including the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency, Office of Rail and Road (ORR), Care Quality Commission, Office for Product Safety and Standards and Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales to handle higher court regulatory prosecutions and enforcement work. Richard’s appointment is a testament to his expertise, professionalism and commitment to upholding the highest standards of advocacy. Departments participating in the scheme will now select advocates from this refreshed list for relevant matters, and Richard’s inclusion highlights the recognition of his skills in this specialised area of work. Richard is an experienced public lawyer with deep expertise in technology, privacy and cyber security. He is known for his operational mindset and pragmatic problem-solving approach. Learn more about his practice here: https://lnkd.in/eXYD6kUp Congratulations once again, Richard – an outstanding achievement and well deserved! 👏 #LegalProfession #RegulatoryAdvocacy #RegulatoryLaw

On Monday, 7th April at 11 am, Sarah Salmon and Jack Barber will host a free webinar titled 'Avoiding (successful) homelessness appeals'. This webinar will concentrate on sections 184 and 202 decision-making. To register, please use the link below. https://lnkd.in/eq6RerNT #housing #homelessness #section184 #section202

A new judgment by Fordham J in R (RZH) v London Borough of Sutton offers important insight into the complex legal avenues available to challenge decisions that may amount to disability discrimination — particularly in the context of housing law. RZH, a mother with autism and sleep apnoea, challenged Sutton Council’s decision that her family was not homeless, despite evidence pointing to overcrowding and unmet needs due to disability. She pursued two parallel legal actions: a Section 204 appeal and a judicial review under the Equality Act 2010. The High Court ultimately dismissed both claims, highlighting key distinctions between “housing need” and the legal definition of “homelessness”, and reaffirming that certain Equality Act challenges must follow a different legal route than s.204 appeals. Catherine (Kate) Rowlands was instructed in this matter by the London Borough of Sutton. Read the full case update here: https://lnkd.in/eezRMAiV #HousingLaw #PublicLaw #JudicialReview

Congratulations to everyone at Travers Smith and JUSTICE who were involved in this important work, including Cornerstone's Estelle Dehon KC and John Fitzsimons.

We are delighted to share the news that Harriet Townsend has been appointed King's Counsel today. A leading barrister in planning and environment, compulsory purchase, and highways law, Harriet is widely respected for her clarity of thought, her judgement and advocacy. Her practice spans the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court — most notably representing the principal Respondent in Finch v Surrey CC, now the leading case on environmental impact assessment and fossil fuel development. On taking silk, Harriet Townsend KC said: “Over the past decade, the quality of both work and life at Cornerstone has steadily risen, thanks to the dedication of every member and member of staff. That environment has allowed me, and my practice, to flourish. My overriding feeling is one of deep gratitude.” Chambers and Partners 2025 calls her “a master of communication”, and The Legal 500 praises her ability to “reach the heart of a matter quickly whilst retaining a bird’s eye view.” Harriet’s practice is informed by a deep interest in climate change law and public policy. She plays a key role in Cornerstone Climate’s strategic work, and leads our innovative ‘Climate Month’ initiative. Please join us in congratulating Harriet on this well-deserved appointment as King’s Counsel! #PlanningLaw #EnvironmentLaw #Silk2025 #ClimateLaw #PublicLaw #CornerstoneClimate

This year's Planning and Environment Bar Association National Conference takes place on 9th May. With some wonderful speakers including Cornerstone's Tom Cosgrove KC and Richard Ground KC, this event isn't to be missed. Learn more and book your ticket here: https://lnkd.in/eeGPsGn6

🚨 National Security vs Climate Change: A Delicate Balance The Information Tribunal recently considered the tension between two important public interests, protecting the UK's national security and the mitigation of climate change, in determining whether information should be disclosed under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR). In Cross v Information Commissioner and the Security Service [2025] UKFTT 0073 (GRC), MI5 refused to disclose its Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions under the EIR, citing national security risks. The Tribunal upheld the decision not to disclose on the basis that the emissions data could be used by hostile actors to identify the UK's security services' capabilities. However, joining other courts both domestically and internationally, it unequivocally recognised the climate crisis as a “compelling” public interest factor, noting that “urgent action is required to abate further deterioration of atmospheric conditions.” This is an interesting article to read for both those who are information officers at public authorities and those who are seeking information in relation to carbon emissions or other climate related data and information. 📚 In a new article, Jeremy Ogilvie-Harris offers a deep dive into the legal arguments, the Tribunal’s reasoning, and the broader implications for climate-related freedom of information requests. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eGS6QEVx Jeremy is a public law and human rights barrister. He has experience of advising, assisting and representing individuals, campaign groups and local authorities on planning, environment and climate issues. He also has experience of national security issues and played a role in the amendment of section 10 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 during its passage through the House of Lords, which ensured that the Act provided for a greater level of procedural fairness in citizenship deprivation decisions. #ClimateChange #EnvironmentalLaw #NationalSecurity #FreedomOfInformation #MI5 #GHGEmissions #PublicLaw #EIR #Sustainability

We're hiring an Assistant Practice Manager to join the brilliant clerking team at Cornerstone Barristers. About Cornerstone: Chambers has 65 members, including 14 silks, who are well known for their work in planning, property, public law, climate litigation, local government, housing, community care, licensing, regulatory law and commercial matters advising private and public sector clients. About the role: We are appointing an assistant practice manager for one of our three clerking teams. They will play a vital role in supporting our barristers and Chambers’ clerking and administration team. In addition to day-to-day clerking and business development, you will help to assist, develop and maintain each barristers’ practice. Application: Application closing date is Friday 4 April 2025. Learn more about the role and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eDj34EHW Feel free to reach out to Senior Clerk Julian Hawes if you'd like to discuss the role. #LegalJobs #Clerking #PracticeManagement

Lee Parkhill has been part of a team of Judges and practitioners to write a new book on the Court of Protection: The Dictionary of the Court of Protection, published by Class Legal. The author team was led by the Senior Judge, HHJ Hilder, and included DJ Mark Mullins, DJ Lisa Clarke, solicitor Simon Heapy and barristers Gemma Daly and Kriti Upadhyay. The Dictionary is a unique reference guide to the key concepts, cases and practice of the Court of Protection, covering both welfare cases and property and financial affairs cases. The Dictionary aims to be a concise, practical, handbook for anyone involved in Court of Protection work. Learn more about the book and purchase your copy here: https://lnkd.in/eTBqVUsd #CourtOfProtection