Christopher Katkowski QC

year of call: 1982

areas of law

Planning

Environment

Practice Summary

Chris Katkowski QC specialises in planning and environment work the bulk of which consists of appearing at, and preparing for, planning inquiries. The majority of his clients are from the private and corporate sectors. Prior to taking silk, Chris was a member of what is now the “A” Panel of Treasury Counsel as a result of which he has appeared in many court cases and continues to do so. He completed his term of office as Head of Chambers in May 2009.

Chris is consistently recognised in UK legal directories and in Planning magazine’s annual survey of planning lawyers as one of the foremost leaders in planning and environment work in the country.

The Chambers & Partners Directory 2012 ranks Chris as a "star individual" and describes him as having "become synonymous with planning expertise of the highest calibre. "Charming", "formidable" and "outstanding" are the type of epithets invariably used to describe "Kit Kat"."

The latest Legal 500 says of Chris that he: “combines a razor-sharp intellect with an ability to easily distil the key points from any set of facts no matter how complex"

The 2011 Planning Magazine Survey ranks Chris as the Number 1 Silk and describes him as “courteous but razor-sharp".

Chris' caseload typically comprises at any one time promoting several retail schemes; residential and commercial developments, as well as major regeneration (e.g. Battersea Power Station) alongside more unusual work such as new nuclear power stations (Hinkley Point), the wholesale redevelopment of the Earl's Court Opportunity Area, sport (e.g. Spurs' new stadium) and rail freight (e.g. Colnbrook).

Chris' current work includes cases for long established clients such as Tesco, British Land and Land Securities and for more recently established clients such as Pinewood Studios and the Duchy of Cornwall.

Chris' more recent court work includes the seminal Supreme Court case (Wolverhampton)concerning material considerations in compulsory purchase and planning.

Chris’s most eye-catching successes are the three “once in a lifetime” cases:-

• Heron Tower in the City of London;
• the Shards of Glass at London Bridge;
• the new Port and 10 million square feet of commercial development at Shellhaven (London Gateway) –

in each of which he led for the developers.

Chris is down to earth and approachable, and enjoys the team working that is such a characteristic of planning inquiries.

QUALIFICATIONS

Chris graduated from Cambridge with a BA (Law) in 1978, an LLB (First Class) in 1979 and MA in 1982. He is a Bencher of Gray's Inn.

CASES

There are no cases available.

INQUIRIES

There are no inquiries available.