Since 2002 Tony Williams has averaged two Judicial Review Actions in the High Court against Local Authorities. The clients’ objectives were achieved on each occasion. In addition many similar actions’ were averted by Councils reversing their position and complying with the requests contained in Judicial Review Protocol letters.

Our objective is to ensure that Councils comply with their responsibilities and act in accordance with the law. In almost every occasion when a client is challenged with statutory action we will research the Council’s files to ensure that the proper procedures have been followed. Injunctions, Enforcement Notices, prosecutions have all been successfully challenged

Tony Williams was the author of the successful complaint to the Office of Fair Trading into the practices of Local Authorities in the property market. That complaint led to the OFT’s Markets and Policies Study into the operation of the property industry. The matter was summarised in the Law Society’s Gazette with the headline:
“OFT Report slams Local Authorities…” Following therefrom Tony was a member of various Government Committees and working parties formed to achieve improvements to the system.

Through the use of the Local Government’s Ombudsman System we have been successful in reversing the Council policies and practices where they have been operated to the detriment of the private individual.

Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Requests are regularly made to Local Authorities to ensure the true picture emerges and enters the public domain. In this respect we have acted against Councils from Northumberland to Cornwall.

Environmental Law

Our principal role is advising clients on how to respond to the enquiries and demands of public sector regulators.

Our geographical remit is wide. We have been involved in:

• A proposed eco-town in Oxfordshire

• The granting of planning permission for quarry restoration and specimen carp fishery in the Cotswolds

• The building of man made lakes using inert excavation material in a multimillion-pound development in the Home Counties.

We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.