Matthew Copeland

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Year of Call: 2000

Practice:

Town & Country Planning
Local Government Law
Environment Law
Highways
Compulsory Purchase
Licensing Law
Administrative Law

Profile:

Matthew practices in all areas of the above specialisms. He has a diverse client base including public sector, private sector, large corporations and individuals, throughout England and Wales. He has appeared in the full range of forums, at a wide range of levels, including: Public Inquiries; Lands Tribunal; all Criminal and Civil courts (including the High Court and Court of Appeal). Matthew performs a number of teaching and educational roles in the form of seminars, lectures and mock inquiries, as well as having offered assistance to the Manchester University Legal Advice Centre.

He offers a thorough, detailed and yet a well-rounded and common sense approach to all cases.

Significant Work includes:

Junior Counsel to the four successful Combined Authority Objectors at the inquiry into the Tesco application to develop a new football stadium for Everton Football Club, along with significant elements of retail and infrastructure.

Represented Northumberland County Council at a conjoined inquiry concerning the development of three major wind farms, consisting of a very significant number of turbines.

Represented City of York Council at inquiry supporting the development of major new/extension to York University Campus.

Junior Counsel representing Lancaster City Council at their Core Strategy Examination.

Counsel for a number of local authorities at appeals concerning Quarry permissions and Landfill applications.

Represented a variety of different parties at a number of wind farm/turbine inquiries.

A significant number of cases representing United Utilities in defence of Environment Agency Prosecutions.

Both defence and prosecution of Abatement notice issues.

A large number of significant retail and housing developments, acting on behalf of both LPA and Developer, as well as third party objectors on occasion.

A number of public path creation order cases, as well as highway stopping up and diversion applications.

A wide variety of compulsory purchase and subsequent compensation issue cases.

Representation of the Ethical Standards Officer for the Standards Board for England and Wales at many Adjudication Panel hearings.

A full range of representation on Judicial Review applications.

Recommendations:

Chambers UK 2010:
"a particularly dedicated and conscientious practitioner, who "takes a very complete approach to his advocacy - once the matter is before an inspector or a court, he will put in an incredible amount of effort." He is particularly renowned in cases that involve elements of environmental law."

Legal 500 2009:
"consistently recommended"

Legal 500 2008:
"In an excellent group, solicitors consistently mention Matthew Copeland"

Legal 500 2007:
".....highly rated"

Planning magazine Survey 2006:

Listed in the category of top rated Counsel under 35 years of age.

Memberships:

Planning & Environmental Bar Association (PEBA)
United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (UKELA)
North and North Eastern Circuits
Grays Inn

Career & Education

University:	Edinburgh
Degree / Post Grad:	BSc Hons (Environmental Geoscience) [1998] CPE [City of London - 1999] BVC [Inns of Court School of Law - 2000]
Year of Call:	2000 (Gray's Inn)
Joined Chambers:	2001