Practice Summary

Described by solicitors as “forward-thinking” and “an extremely effective advocate”, since joining Chambers in October 2007 Katrina has developed an impressive practice encompassing Property,Planning & Environmental, and Public Law.  She is recognised for her ability to think tactically and to adapt her style of advocacy according to the particular forum.  She also has particular expertise in cases that combine elements of both public and private law.  Katrina is a Member of the Attorney General's "C" Panel.


Property Law

Katrina’s property litigation practice is comprehensive. She regularly provides advice and representation in a wide variety of commercial and residential landlord and tenant work; professional negligence; real property litigation; boundary disputes; land registration issues, and disputes over beneficial interests. Katrina also undertakes Chancery work, advising mortgagees in relation to negligence and fraud. Her court experience in the Chancery Division and the County Courts ranges from all manner of procedural applications and hearings up to substantive multi-track trials. Katrina also drafts proceedings, urgent injunctions and other applications in a wide range of claims including forfeiture of leases, nuisance and trespass disputes, and applications under TLATA 1996.  Recent highlights include:

  • Successfully defending a Certificated Bailiff in the trial of a complaint brought under rule 8 of the Distress for Rent Rules 1988 (Jeewon v Gormley, Medway County Court, before HHJ Scarratt, 9th March 2010).
  • Representing a local authority in a mediation concerning trespass to a right of way (11th March 2010).
  • Successfully representing the Claimant Housing Association in a multi-track nuisance/possession claim (Portsmouth Rotary Housing Association Ltd v O’Grady, Portsmouth County Court, before HHJ Manuel, 29th July 2009).
  • Winning a fast track claim for unpaid professional fees and successfully defending a solicitor against a counterclaim for professional negligence (Charles Russell LLP v Bateman, Birmingham Civil Justice Centre, 12th March 2009).
  • Obtaining judgment in a fast track claim for unpaid rent due prior to the disclaimer of a lease (Lion Barn Investments v Woodley, Torquay and Newton Abbott County Court, 5th February 2009).

Planning

Katrina’s expertise in planning spans High Court challenges, public inquiries and prosecutions in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. She is known for her team-spirited outlook, together with a strategic and effective cross-examination style.  Katrina has advised both claimants and local authorities on the merits of judicial and statutory reviews; the lawfulness and efficacy of enforcement action; applications for Certificates of Lawfulness for Existing Use or Development (CLEUD); planning for Gypsies and Travellers; compulsory purchase, and the registration of village greens.  Notable recent work includes:

  • Representing the Third Interested Party in a judicial review of the Defendant’s decision to issue a CLEUD (R (North Wiltshire District Council) v Cotswold District Council [2009] EWHC 3702 (Admin)).
  • Bringing a successful High Court challenge against the decision of the Secretary of State in an enforcement appeal, on the grounds of an irrational interpretation of policy (R (Westminster City Council) v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government [2009] EWHC 1131 (Admin) (Ouseley J)).
  • Successfully representing a local planning authority at a public inquiry concerning its decision to refuse to grant a CLEUD (Re: Rudley Oaks, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh, Essex, 21st – 22nd November 2009).
  • Effectively defending a local planning authority’s decision to take enforcement action in respect of an unauthorised wall and a roof extension abutting a Listed Building (Re: 77 New Bond Street, 24th February and 13th March 2009). 

Environmental

Katrina undertakes a range of environmental law work, in both the domestic and EU spheres, and is a contributor to the second edition of Wooley et al, Environmental Law (Oxford University Press, 2009).  Her work has included:

  • Advising about private/public nuisance and statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
  • Considering the interpretation and practical implications of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999.
  • Providing advice to public bodies as to the proper means of enforcing the removal of non-compliant waste at a landfill.
  • Assisting James Maurici in an Article 234 reference to the European Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling on the interpretation of the Water Framework Directive 75/442 (R(Thames Water Utilities) v Bromley Magistrates’ Court, case C-252/05, [2007] 1 WLR 1945).

Public Law

Katrina delivers rigorous advice and strong representation to both claimants and respondents in the fields of local government law, congestion charging and parking contraventions, data protection and public inquiries.  Notable and recent work includes:

  • Being appointed Junior Counsel to The Robert Hamill Inquiry, led by Ashley Underwood QC, instructed by the solicitor to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: www.roberhamillinquiry.org. (July to October 2009).
  • Successfully defending Transport for London against a wholesale judicial review of the legality of the congestion charging scheme (R(Lilley) v Transport for London CO/7609/2008).
  • Fending off a multi-track damages claim brought against Transport for London in negligence and under the Data Protection Act 1998 regarding its administration of the resident’s discount scheme (Cole v Transport for London, Lambeth County Court, 9th January 2009).
  • Regularly appearing in the Administrative Court in judicial review permission hearings (e.g. Abraham v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions CO/3636/2008; Singh v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions CO/8818/2008).
  • Advising claimants regarding their entitlement to Social Security benefits and successfully representing appellants before the First-Tier and Upper Tribunals (e.g. Stephen Munro v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, before Judge Jupp, 15th January 2009, and before Judge Desai, 7th August 2009).

Professional Memberships and Pro-Bono Work

Katrina receives referrals from the Free Representation Unit (FRU) and the Bar Pro Bono Unit. She is a member of the Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA), the Property Bar Association (PBA) and the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (UKELA).

QUALIFICATIONS

Academic:
BA(Hons) English: First Class
Hertford College, Oxford (2003)

MA(Hons) Law: Distinction
University of Bristol (2005)
Two year fast-track LLB, with a significant postgraduate research component
Dissertation: ‘The Justiciability of Executive Action in the Conduct of Foreign Affairs’

Professional:
Bar Vocational Course: Outstanding
BPP Professional Education Law School (2006)
Katrina was graded Outstanding in an exceptional 10 out of 13 papers, and was the highest scoring BPP student of Lincoln’s Inn in her year

Lincoln’s Inn Scholarships:
Sir Robert Megarry
Lord Denning
Lord Bowen
Hardwicke

PUBLICATIONS