The Planning Law Survey 2018: Pinsent Masons is most highly rated law firm

Our annual Planning Law Survey this year received a total of 282 eligible responses from solicitors working in private practice, planning consultants, planning officers, developers and local government lawyers.

The Pinsent Masons planning team was ranked first in the table of most respected law firms, with Town Legal moving into second after making their debut last year in third place. Eversheds Sutherland are down to third place from second, with Dentons and Berwin Leighton Paisner remaining in fourth and fifth.

Town Legal partner Simon Ricketts retains his place as the most highly rated individual solicitor for the ninth consecutive year. Dentons’ Stephen Ashworth and Clarke Willmott’s Neil Baker share second place, with two Pinsent Masons partners Iain Gilbey and Richard Ford in joint fourth.

Meanwhile, in our ranking of the top senior barristers, Landmark Chambers’ Christopher Katkowski QC remains in pole position for the fourth year running. Martin Kingston QC of No5 Chambers is in joint second place with Rupert Warren QC of Landmark Chambers.

Landmark’s Charles Banner is the highest rated junior barrister, up from second last year, while James Corbet Burcher of No5 Chambers takes the title in the under 35 category.

The survey also details staffing levels of planning specialists at the biggest planning law firms and key senior moves in the sector over the past year. Pinsent Masons is the firm with the most planning solicitors, followed by Eversheds Sutherland.

Coverage of the survey can be read here.

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