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Public Inquiries

We have unparalleled experience in advising our clients through public inquiries, including acting in some of the most complex and significant cases in recent years.

Public inquiry work, whilst sharing similarities with civil litigation in the High Court, comes with its own set of procedures and working practices, where we have established ourselves as experts.

We have assisted with a range of public inquiries including those established under the Inquiries Act (2005), promoting large Compulsory Purchase Orders, and acting for the National Trust and Historic England as objectors to nationally important planning schemes.

Our team also undertakes advocacy at these inquiries, including calling evidence from witnesses and undertaking cross-examination.

We guide our clients through the entire public inquiry process including:

Key Contacts

Work highlights

  • National Trust – Bramshill House
  • Historic England – World Heritage Site
  • Buckingham Compulsory Purchase Order
  • National Trust – Fountains Abby
  • Hereford Compulsory Purchase Order
  • Wandsworth Compulsory Purchase Order
  • Waltham Forest Compulsory Purchase Order

The Court of Appeal has handed down its judgment in R (British Gas Trading and E.ON) v Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. This judgment follows the Divisional Court’s earlier refusal to grant British Gas and E.ON permission to judicially review decisions made by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and…

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Sharpe Pritchard recently acted for a Local Authority landlord in a case where they successfully ‘set off’ the tenant’s outstanding rent arrears against the tenant’s legal costs following settlement of a disrepair claim at Pre-Action Protocol stage. Case background The tenant (T) brought a disrepair claim against the London Borough of Newham (LBN) which was…

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Simon Kiely, a Partner in Sharpe Pritchard’s Dispute Resolution team, acted for Lewes District Council in prosecuting national building materials supplier Travis Perkins. The prosecution came about for offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (the Act) following a fatal accident involving wood falling from one of their delivery vehicles. At…

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To find out how we can help you, please contact us today