Vincent Fraser QC

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Year of Call: 1981
Year of Silk: 2001

Vincent's leading practice encompasses a number of areas of local Government law advising both Applicants and a wide range of Local Authorities. He is particularly familiar with areas of local government which overlap with his other areas of practice; and in particular: Byelaws and orders, Constitutional issues Council finance including council Tax and domestic rating, Education highways and public rights of way, ombudsman's powers and procedures, Road traffic regulations and Standards, conduct and probity of local government officials.

In addition, Vincent has extensive experience of boundary reviews, for example successfully representing Wirral BC at the review into the Merseyside constituencies.

Significant Cases: 

Ardagh Glass v Chester City Council [2010] EWCA Civ 172, [2009] EWHC 745 (Admin) [2009] Env. L. R. 34 - Planning, local government, environment - environmental impact assessment, industrial development, retrospective permission, unauthorised development, enforcement, planning permission, local authorities.

Barratt Development Plc v Wakefield MDC [2009] EWHC 3208 - planning, housing, local government -  affordable housing, PPS 3, core strategy, planning policy, regional spatial strategies

Younger Homes (Northern) Ltd v First Secretary of State [2004] EWCA Civ [2005] Env. L. R. 12 [2005] 1 P&CR 14 - Planning, environment, local government - Environmental impact assessment, planning permission, screening opinions, regulations, delegated authority, prejudice.

Kelly v Liverpool City Council [2003] EWCA Civ 197 [2003] 2 All ER 772 - Licensing, local government - fees, inspections, licences, local authority powers and duties, private hire vehicles, taxis.

R(Pryterch) v Conwy BC [2001] EWHC Admin 869 - Planning, human rights, environment, local government.

Hussain v Bradford City Council [2002] RVR 140 - Planning, compulsory purchase, compensation, commercial property, repairs, valuation.

R(Barry) v Liverpool City Council [2001] EWCA Civ 384 (2001) LGLR 40 - Licensing, local government - entertainment licences, doormen registration scheme, power to charge.

UK Waste Management Ltd v West Lancashire DC [1997] RTR 201 - road traffic regulation order, experimental waste restriction order, reasonable access to site, heavy goods vehicles.

R v Chorley BC ex parte Bound (1996) 28 HLR 791 - Housing benefits, review board, reasons.

Harrogate BC v Barker (1995) 159 JP 809, [1995] RVR 193 - community charge, debts, criminal procedure, powers to remit, limitation.

Ford v Burnley BC (1996) 160 JP 540, [1995] RA 205 - non domestic rates, occupancy, quarries.

Publications:

Planning Law Digest (Sweet & Maxwell) 1992

Recommendations:

Chambers UK 2013:

Solicitors say Vincent Fraser QC "is a formidable advocate" who is "intellectually and academically very, very good." Adept at taking on all manner of planning cases, he is particularly known for appearing for and advising retailers, local authorities, housebuilders, wind farm developers and leading energy companies. Of late, he has been appearing for Morrisons at an inquiry into a supermarket proposal in Wells. Vincent Fraser QC proves particularly active in wind farm cases. Recent representative work for him includes successfully acting for Cornwall Light & Power in relation to a challenge brought by Hargreaves to consent given for the construction of a wind farm. He also appeared in the Frodsham wind farm inquiry acting on behalf of Peel Energy.

Vincent Fraser QC is an experienced practitioner with expertise in planning and local government law. He recently represented an authority during the consultation process for changing electoral boundaries.

Chambers UK 2012:

Vincent Fraser QC has acted in a variety of environment cases in the past year, including for a landowner in a dispute over the interpretation of the Waste and Landfill Directives.

His broad expertise covers local government finance and administration, registration of common land, parking issues and judicial review. He recently advised Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council on the restructuring of its legal services and its relevant powers, and successfully represented Wakefield District Council planning authority in a judicial review challenge to a grant of planning permission.

Vincent Fraser QC is felt to "quickly get to the heart of the matter." He has a depth of experience in public inquiries and judicial challenges where he focuses on retail, residential and commercial developments, renewable energy, waste projects and compulsory purchase orders.

Chambers UK 2010:

Vincent Fraser QC takes on a wide range of local government matters including finance and administration, but is best known for his planning prowess "an incredibly good advocate and one of the most tenacious cross-examiners out there".

His knowledgeable and intelligent approach to cases makes him a solid choice for difficult or complex cases.

He is an admired expert in town and country planning. He has gained a robust reputation for environmental impact work, recently advising on a large wind farm development near Doncaster.

Chambers UK 2009:

Vincent Fraser QC handles top-end work, from town and country planning, CPO and compensation to education and local government finance and administration.

Vincent FraserQC remains "the go-to man for wind farm enquiries" and recently advised EON UK Renewables during proceedings concerning the Humberhead proposals.

Chambers UK 2008:

Vincent Fraser is "one of the cleverest advocates in the North West and has a good grasp of the issues and an amazing capacity for the finer points of legal interpretation." With a "Gordon Brown style of advocacy," he has expertise in a variety of planning matters including CPOs and highways.

Chambers Guide 2007:

'"A formidable advocate" Vincent Fraser QC is "excellence personified". Vastly experienced in the inquiry context, he acts both for those promoting or objecting to large retail, housing energy and leisure schemes. CPO and highways inquiries also keep him busy.'

'Known for his pure local government practice, he is heavily involved in town centre redevelopment as well as town and country planning.'

Chambers Guide 2006:

"Kings Chambers - ....this nationally reputed set was lauded as one of the dominant planning chambers....its members were further praised for the impressive scope of work undertaken and "quality results produced" which ensures that "you are never disappointed". "Shrewd" Vincent Fraser QC "excels in the art of negotiation" and has a "high calibre" national practice. His expertise was rated as "second to none" and he continues to act in high-profile local planning inquiries."

Planning Magazine:

Vincent is included amongst the top planning Barristers as chosen by leading planning lawyers and consultants in England and Wales.

Memberships:

Planning and Environmental Bar Association
Administrative Law Bar Association
UK Environmental Law Association
Northern and North Eastern Circuit

Career & Education
University:	Oxford (University College) Open Scholarship Sweet & Maxwell Prize MA (1st class) Jurisprudence
Year of Call:	1981 Gray's Inn Holker Entrance Award Reid Scholar Band Prize
Queen's Counsel:	2001
Recorder:	2002
Official Appointments:	Deputy High Court Judge (Admin Court) 2010