This event is organised by the Planning & Environment Bar Association (PEBA) with the generous support of the Inner Temple. It will take place in the beautiful new lecture theatre at the Inn.
The evening will give an insight into a career at the planning and environmental bar and the fascinating opportunities it provides to people from all backgrounds and walks of life. The speakers lined up are:
- Paul Tucker KC (Kings Chambers and PEBA Chair)
- Tom Cosgrove KC (Cornerstone Barristers and PEBA Vice-Chair)
- Melissa Murphy KC (Francis Taylor Building and PEBA’s E&D Officer)
- Saira Kabir Sheikh KC (Francis Taylor Building)
- Mark Davies (6 Pump Court and PEBA’s Secretary)
- Victoria Hutton (39 Essex Chambers and PEBA’s Treasurer)
- Ruchi Parekh (Cornerstone Barristers)
- Joel Semakula (Landmark Chambers)
- Odette Chalaby (No.5 Chambers)
They will share their experiences and provide guidance to those considering this career path. The talks will be followed by a drinks reception with the opportunity for more informal discussion with barristers.
Associate membership of PEBA is now open to any university student with a significant interest in these fields and we hope many attendees will consider joining our organisation.
Specialising in planning and environmental work provides the opportunity for barristers to engage in many topical and often highly controversial issues. From fracking, to windfarms, major housing schemes and transport projects, our work covers many aspects of where and how we live and work. It is one of the few practice areas that looks to the future and grapples with issues such as how best to protect the environment whilst delivering much needed but often controversial new housing for all; how or whether to deliver new forms of energy production with climate change in mind; and how to design places and infrastructure which enhance our lives whilst also protecting our natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
Being a barrister in this area involves mastering different forms of advocacy in diverse forums from public law challenges in the higher courts, to public inquiries with expert and lay witnesses, to specialist tribunals and even cases in the criminal courts. It often entails highly charged, politically controversial and nationally important legal battles. Many of the leading reported public law cases concern planning and environmental issues.
This event is primarily aimed at university and bar students interested in hearing about a potential career at the planning and environmental bar. Spaces are free, but limited. You must be 18 or over to attend.
PLEASE NOTE: IN PERSON PLACES ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED. BOOKING BELOW IS FOR VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE ONLY.