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:: Compulsory Purchase and Compensation ::
:: Highways ::
:: Local Government ::
:: Planning ::

Stephen is a leading practitioner in all aspects of town and country planning, highways law, local government and finance, compulsory purchase and compensation, judicial review and environmental law.

He has acted for developers, local authorities, government agencies, interest groups and objectors in many major public inquiries ranging from major retail proposals, town centre redevelopment schemes, minerals and landfill, housing and commercial development, road, tunnel and bridge schemes and compulsory purchase. He regularly appears in the Administrative Court and at the Lands Tribunal.

From 1972-1978 Stephen was a Lecturer in Law at Manchester University.

Stephen is consistently ranked as one of the Highest Rated Planning Silks by Planning Magazine.

In Chambers and Partners (2010) Stephen is acknowledged for his expertise in a number of areas including planning, local government finance and education, and is especially lauded for his expert handling of highway-related cases: "an erudite cross-examiner who offers quick, accurate and pragmatic advice on difficult planning issues" and posesses an "excellent, forensic cross-examination style".

Chambers and Partners (2009) ranks Stephen highly for Planning, describing him as ‘very good for highways cases’. The 2008 edition recognises that Stephen is a 'sensible, practical and down-to-earth advocate with an excellent cross-examination style,' and also; (2007) 'an unquestioned leader in Highways and Planning Law' Stephen appeals by being 'straightforward and easy to deal with.' He is also highly regarded for his depth of knowledge on compulsory purchase matters.

The most recent edition of the Legal 500 (September 2009) recognises that Stephen 'maintains his niche supremacy in highways work'. The 2008 edition commends Stephen as ‘very good for highways cases’ and the September 2007 edition recognises that Stephen 'boasts an excellent silk's practice'.

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