Public Law

Members of the Public Law Team have wide-ranging experience of representing and advising both public authorities and individual Claimants/Applicants. We have particular expertise in Judicial Review, Immigration and Prison Law and in cases on behalf of local authorities including regulatory prosecutions, statutory nuisance and anti-social behaviour orders. We also regularly appear for and advise Defendants in similar matters. Individual members of the team also have considerable experience in licensing matters and appeals.

We pride ourselves on being both approachable and practical when giving advice and on being responsible and positive advocates. As well as appearing in all courts and tribunals and giving advice we have considerable experience in providing seminars and workshops to our professional clients, in particular local authorities, dealing with current practice and developments in the law.

Above all, we believe in working as a team with our instructing solicitors, lay clients and local authority officers.

Reported cases of interest involving members of the team include:

Amec Building v Camden LBC [1997] ENVLR 330: requirements for prosecution for nuisance caused by demolition and building works.

Potter v Kavanagh and others [2002] ACD 27: incentives and earned privileges for prisoners in denial.

R v Liverpool Health Authority and others [2002] Lloyd's Reports (Medical) 494: whether Defendant's decision not to agree to a particular form of structured settlement is amenable to judicial review.

Camden LBC v Easynet Limited [2003] EHLR 5: requirements for abatement notice and accompanying correspondence under Environmental Protection Act 1980.

R v Secretary of State for Home Department, ex p N [2003] HRLR: whether asylum seeker can obtain damages for delay in payment of benefits resulting from maladministration.

“Flyposting” ASBO’s (national press coverage in 2004/5): ASBO’s and undertakings were obtained preventing this activity in the Borough of Camden.

Kenwood Concerts (2006): conditions imposed by borough as licensing authority upheld on appeal.

 

Members of the Public Law Team:

  • Andrew Pote (1983) deals with cases involving statutory nuisance, trading standards, ASBOs, Sexual Offences Prevention Orders, firearms appeals in the Crown Court and also licensing cases including appeals.
  • Arthur Blake (1988) has extensive experience in criminal and civil work and now specialises in Judicial Review and Prison Law, having wide-ranging experience in these fields and in immigration work. He is listed in the Legal 500 in this area of practice. 
  • Edmund Walters (1991) has extensive experience prosecuting and defending regulatory offences in the Magistrates' and Crown Courts, in applying for ASBO’s and appearing in Crown Court appeals; also in licensing applications of all types on behalf of applicants and objectors. In addition to his local authority work noted above he practises in immigration matters.
  • Susan Chan (1994) has considerable experience in Judicial Review and is a member of the Attorney General's panel of junior Treasury counsel, undertaking civil work.
  • Timothy Boswell (2004) has extensive experience prosecuting on behalf of local authorities in both the Magistrates and Crown Court. His cases have encompassed matters as diverse as unlawful eviction, breaches of housing and planning regulations, benefit fraud and unlawful street trading. He has also appeared on behalf of the Thames Valley Police in police property act and firearms matters.

    His licencing practice covers both liquor and taxi licencing. He has appeared numerous times in taxi licencing appeals for both appellants and respondent local authorities.

    Tim's public law practice is complemented by his general criminal practice, including full knowledge of the complex legislation surrounding sentencing and early release from custody.
  • Timothy Brown (2005) is a member of the 13 KBW public law group and his practice covers a range of public and administrative law matters including judicial review, environmental law and statutory powers and procedures.

Our Chambers' policy is to carry out our daily business without direct or indirect discrimination on grounds of race, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, religion or political persuasion.

 

PUBLIC LAW TEAM

Practice Leader: Edmund Walters (1991)

Members of the Public Law team practise in the following two groups:

Local Authority Work:

Judicial Review, Immigration and Prison Law:

We are aware of the importance of selecting the right person, of suitable seniority and experience, to support you. The initial points of contact are the senior clerk, Kevin Kelly or Stuart Ritchie. They will be happy to discuss with you the appropriate member of chambers for your case.