Simon appears on behalf of clients in all levels of Court and Tribunal in England and Wales, and undertakes a considerable amount of work for clients on a direct access basis. He specialises in public and administrative law and accepts instructions on behalf of private individuals, community groups and commercial entities.
Prior to joining the team, Simon worked as a Senior Advisory Lawyer for the Department for Transport Legal Advisers' Rail teams, where he provided advice on public, commercial, contract, pensions, European, State aid and procurement matters to policy officials and ministers in the department relating to infrastructure and operation of commuter services into, and within, London (including the operation of, and services through, the Channel Tunnel).
Prior to his role in the Department for Transport, Simon worked as a Senior Litigation Lawyer in the Government Legal Department's General Public Law and Planning Team, representing government departments and bodies in high-profile and complex litigation matters. Simon also provided advice and assistance outside of litigation in respect of legal risk during policy development particularly to DEFRA, the Department for Transport and the Department for Education as well as providing cross-government advice and assistance in respect of the Public Sector Equality Duty. Simon also acted as a registered pupil supervisor and training principal whilst working for the Government Legal Department.
Public and Administrative Law
Advising on, and acting in, challenges to decisions made by Government Departments, Local Authorities and other administrative bodies. Drafting pre-action correspondence and claims for judicial review (or other statutory appeals).
Advising on requests for information made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Acting in complaints to the Information Commissioner as well as any appeals to the Tribunal.
Simon has accepted instructions to advise and represent clients in relation to a number of ecclesiastical matters within the public, planning and property law contexts. His work in this area has been limited to drafting to date.
Planning & Environmental Law
Advice and assistance in respect of Compulsory Purchase Orders, Development Consent Orders and applications for discretionary purchase. Advice and assistance in respect of planning applications (including assisting with drafting objections to planning applications), enforcement proceedings, appearing in planning inquiries, statutory appeals and claims for judicial review.
Advice and assistance for developers and other consultees in respect of development and proposals included in Local Plans.
Advising and assisting clients involved in investigations and proceedings instigated by the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.
Local Government Law
Instructed to act on behalf of the Boston Borough Council Opposition in respect of a proposed claim for judicial review against the merging of the administrative resources and Officers by two Local Authorities.
Election Law
Kevin Painter v Stephen Hirst & Nigel Adams (2019). Acted for the petitioner in an election petition brought in respect of an unorthodox marking to a ballot paper which was used by the returning officer to break a tie between two candidates. The case was heard by the Divisional Court.
Providing advice and assistance to two campaigning groups into investigations into campaign funding and spending returns submitted to the Electoral Commission.
Training
Simon is a registered pupil supervisor and was a training principal for the Government Legal Department providing supervision, guidance, and training to newly qualified barristers and solicitors working within the Department.
Simon has also been involved in the development and delivery of training to non-lawyers concerning the judicial review, requests and challenges brought under the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations as we as the Duty of Candour disclosure regime.
For more information on Direct Access, Public Law and working with our team visit our blog.
