Richard Drabble QC

year of call: 1975

RDrabble@landmarkchambers.co.uk

areas of law

Practice Summary

Richard Drabble QC was called to the Bar in 1975 and took silk in 1995. He practices in public law, planning and other local government matters. He has appeared frequently as an advocate at all levels of domestic courts, particularly the Administrative Court as well as the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords. His practice also has a European dimension, with many appearances (in planning, environmental and social security matters) before the ECJ and the European Court of Human Rights and the former Commission. He has appeared for both developers and local authorities in major planning inquiries. He is a former Chairman of the Administrative Law Bar Association and a member of the Planning and Environment Bar Association.

He is recognised as a leader in the fields of administrative law, planning and local government law. Chambers & Partners Directory 2012 and the Legal 500 2011 said of him:

Instructing solicitors are in awe of Richard Drabble QC's court manner. They say that he offers "excellent, cerebral advocacy and is good at picking apart the opposition's arguments." Clearly well respected by the judiciary, he is a standout lawyer for claimant, housing and social security public law-related cases. This highly experienced practitioner continues to be involved in the most significant cases, appearing over the past year in the constitutionally important case of Cart and acting before the Supreme Court in the case of Pinnock, a matter concerning eviction proceedings."

"Richard Drabble QC is an ‘excellent advocate and highly regarded by the Supreme Court’"

"The well-respected Richard Drabble QC of Landmark Chambers is "lightning quick in his ability to get on top of a case and present it attractively." Many consider him one of the leading barristers in the country."

"Public law specialist Richard Drabble QC is "an extremely accomplished silk who really instils confidence." He regularly appears as an advocate at all levels of domestic courts and has a strong track record in handling environmental, planning and social security matters before the ECJ and ECHR."

"In Richard Drabble QC Landmark Chambers has one of the Bar's stellar names for public law, planning and local government-related matters. Instructing solicitors trust him implicitly and "rely on his judgement as to how courts will and won't react."

"In common with Lockhart-Mummery, the "very persuasive" Richard Drabble QC is deemed to be "a gentleman advocate," and is much sought after for his ability to lead the most difficult cases. His experience covers all the domestic courts, and he has further made numerous appearances before the ECJ and ECHR."

"Richard Drabble QC is "one of the best barristers at the Social Housing Bar" and is noted for the importance of the cases he leads."

Richard Drabble has acted for a wide range of clients, examples being the Secretary of State in challenges to the Terminal Five planning permission, the Airports and Energy White Papers; and the Olympics CPO; Natural England in the Thames Basin Heath SPA litigation; Associated British Ports in connection with a proposed Harbour Revision Order at Immingham; Amnesty International in the Pinochet medical reports case; the developer in R(Lewis) v Redcar BC and Persimmon and in R(Kides) v South Cambridgeshire DC; JCWI and the AIRE Centre in the litigation concerning alleged marriages of convenience; Quinn Glass in the Court of Appeal hearing about an IPCC permit; 3C Limited in a Commercial Court case about the Landfill Directive; and Mrs Stec; Ms Tsfayo; Mrs Chapman and Mrs Kehoe in their various cases in the European Court of Human Rights. He appeared for the local authorities in the Dibden Bay Inquiry.

QUALIFICATIONS

Richard Drabble read History at Downing College, Cambridge.He has lectured frequently on public law matters, particularly recently on human rights issues in planning. Richard is currently Vice-Chair of the Bar Council Law Reform Committee.

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