Town Legal

Town Legal is a specialist planning law firm established at the end of 2016 by prominent figures within the planning law sector. The firm operates from offices in London and Manchester, extending its legal services across England and Wales. Town Legal's sole focus is planning law, allowing its collective experience and relationships to be purely concentrated on this specific area of legal practice. The company provides advice on complex planning law matters, positioning itself as a leading boutique firm in the country. This dedicated specialization ensures that the firm's expertise is deeply rooted in the intricacies of planning regulations and development frameworks across the UK.

The firm advises a diverse range of clients, including developers, landowners, and public authorities, on all aspects of planning law. Town Legal distinguishes itself through its approach, which includes having a leading barrister as one of its consultants or partners. This integration provides clients with added value in terms of the quality and speed of legal advice. The firm's boutique structure enables it to concentrate on delivering precise and effective counsel, rather than being constrained by extensive management hierarchies. This client-centric model supports the firm in addressing the unique planning law needs of each engagement with focused expertise and efficiency.

Town Legal has consistently received high recognition within the legal industry. The firm has been identified as the most highly rated planning law firm in the country, according to Planning Magazine's annual planning law surveys from 2019 to 2026. Furthermore, the company is ranked in the top band of London planning law teams by both the Chambers Directory and Legal 500. Its reputation is also underscored by its inclusion in The Times survey of Best Law Firms, appearing on the list from 2020 to 2026, with specific mention in 2021. These accolades reflect Town Legal's established standing and consistent performance in the specialist field of planning law.

The firm's practice encompasses a comprehensive array of planning law services. These services include advice on Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), compulsory purchase and compensation, and general development advice and support. Town Legal also handles matters related to Environmental Impact Assessments, highways, and infrastructure and energy projects. The firm is equipped to manage litigation in the Planning Court, conduct planning inquiries, hearings, and public examinations, and provide guidance on regulatory issues. Additionally, its expertise extends to Section 106 agreements and transactional planning matters. The firm primarily focuses on issues arising from large-scale development projects, and typically does not advise on domestic planning law issues or residential planning enforcement matters.

While Town Legal's sole focus is planning law, its expertise extends to advising on development plans within various sectors, including Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA). The firm has experience advising establishments such as schools, colleges, and PBSA providers on their development plans and associated planning applications. This work has involved complex considerations such as listed buildings, conservation areas, and Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) in specific areas like Camden and Haringey, as well as within the Green Belt. This demonstrates the firm's capability to navigate the unique planning challenges inherent in student accommodation projects, ensuring compliance with diverse regulatory requirements for large-scale developments.