Inquiries: top solicitor-advocate says more planning lawyers should gain higher rights

City-based Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has retained its crown as the top planning law firm for the eighth year running in Planning magazine's annual survey of lawyers and consultants operating in the field, but has also notched up an impressive double with partner Tim Hellier rated the number one individual solicitor in a bumper year for the sector.


BLP was followed in the league table by Denton Wilde Sapte, SJ Berwin (which leapt five places on last year), Eversheds, Lovells, Herbert Smith, Lawrence Graham, Wilbraham & Co (now part of Cobbetts), Linklaters and Walker Morris.


Mr Hellier took the number one spot from Dentons partner Stephen Ashworth, who came second this year, with Lovells' Michael Gallimore in third. Michael Cunliffe from Forsters and Norton Rose's Brian Greenwood were in joint fourth place.


Mr Hellier said planning firms had been kept very busy over the last year. 'We have seen huge levels of activity, with a lot of infrastructure work such as housing schemes and town and city centre work,' he explained. 'There was a dip in the number of people who were committing to schemes before the general election, but now they seem to be coming back and seeking advice.'


Respondents were also polled on their top choice of solicitor-advocate, with Andrew Williamson from Leeds-based Walker Morris taking the number one spot, followed by Lawrence Graham's Trevor Blaney and London sole principal David Cooper. Coming in at joint fourth place were David Hardy from Wilbraham & Co, Robert Jameson from Hertford firm Jameson & Hill and Burges Salmon's Patrick Robinson.


Mr Williamson, who is also a qualified chartered town planner, said more solicitors should consider qualifying as advocates, especially as public inquiries were on the rise. He added that more 'American style' continuity in representation seemed to be welcomed by the Planning Inspectorate.


'I don't know why more solicitors don't [try to qualify] as this market will continue to grow,' he said. Solicitor-advocates appealed to clients more than London barristers as they are often based in the locality of proposed schemes, he also claimed.


But Mr Hellier said although there were many good solicitor-advocates, branching out could prove difficult for many firms. It would take lawyers out of the loop for many months if they had to prepare cases and then also spend 'time on their feet' arguing in court, leaving other clients in the lurch, he added.