James Strachan, QC

James Strachan has an extensive practice in public and administrative law, planning and environment, local government, commercial law, financial services, media and human rights.

He has wide experience of acting in public law cases covering a large number of areas including planning, mental health, national security and immigration, prisons, financial services regulation, local government, civil liberties and human rights, appearing on behalf of the Government, local authorities and claimants. He is recommended as a leading junior in Administrative & Public Law and Human Rights Law by the current editions of both the UK Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, who describe him as 'a superb lawyer.

He also has an extensive practice in the field of planning, environment and compulsory purchase appearing regularly at public inquiries and in the courts in respect of most aspects of planning and environmental control, with particular recent experience in areas of housing, retail, highways, compulsory purchase and urban design. James frequently acts for many of the leading housebuilders and retailers as well as statutory bodies and public authorities. Recent ongoing or completed inquiries include: He appeared for Cala Homes in its challenge to the decision of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to withdraw Regional Strategies.James has expertise in all aspects of environmental law, particularly cases with a European dimension. He is regarded as a leading junior in Planning and Environmental law by Chambers & Partners (2013), and in Planning by the UK Legal 500 (2012).