Biography

Prior to joining the team, Simon worked as a Senior Advisory Lawyer for the Department for Transport Legal Advisers' Rail teams, where he provided advice on public, commercial, contract, pensions, European, State aid and procurement matters to policy officials and ministers in the department relating to infrastructure and operation of commuter services into, and within, London (including the operation of, and services through, the Channel Tunnel).

Prior to his role in the Department for Transport, Simon worked as a Senior Litigation Lawyer in the Government Legal Department's General Public Law and Planning Team, representing government departments and bodies in high-profile and complex litigation matters. Simon also provided advice and assistance outside of litigation in respect of legal risk during policy development particularly to DEFRA, the Department for Transport and the Department for Education as well as providing cross-government advice and assistance in respect of the Public Sector Equality Duty. Simon also acted as a registered pupil supervisor and training principal whilst working for the Government Legal Department.

Before he joined the Government Legal Department, Simon worked as a Criminal Practitioner at the self-employed Bar, specialising in crime with an emphasis on prosecution. Simon was instructed in the cases to appear for the Crown (acting for the CPS, DWP and HMRC), RSPCA and the Probation Service. in 2007 Simon joined the CPS on secondment as a Senior Crown Prosecutor before moving to the Criminal Appeals Office in 2007 where he acted as a Lawyer to the Court of Appeal and the Registrar, providing legal advice and assistance to Judges in respect of appeals against conviction and/or sentence.

Simon attended the University of Kent at Canterbury and then the Inns of Court School of Law. He was called to Bar in 2003.

Planning & Environmental Law

Advice and assistance in respect of Compulsory Purchase Orders, Development Consent Orders and applications for discretionary purchase. Advice and assistance in respect of planning applications (including assisting with drafting objections to planning applications), enforcement proceedings, appearing in planning inquiries, statutory appeals and claims for judicial review.

Advice and assistance for developers and other consultees in respect of development and proposals included in Local Plans.

Advising and assisting clients involved in investigations and proceedings instigated by the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

Public and Administrative Law

Advising on, and acting in, challenges to decisions made by Government Departments, Local Authorities and other administrative bodies. Drafting pre-action correspondence and claims for judicial review (or other statutory appeals).

Advising on requests for information made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Acting in complaints to the Information Commissioner as well as any appeals to the Tribunal.

Simon has accepted instructions to advise and represent clients in relation to a number of ecclesiastical matters within the public, planning and property law contexts. His work in this area has been limited to drafting to date.

Training

Simon is a registered pupil supervisor and was a training principal for the Government Legal Department providing supervision, guidance, and training to newly qualified barristers and solicitors working within the Department.

Simon has also been involved in the development and delivery of training to non-lawyers concerning the judicial review, requests and challenges brought under the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations as we as the Duty of Candour disclosure regime.

Simon provides training to prospective candidates in respect of an overview of Election Law

Should you, or your organisation, require bespoke training (or simply an interactive discussion) in respect of any areas of Simon’s practice please do not hesitate to contact us to talk through your needs.