David Manley QC

Profile

David specialises in planning and environmental law. He is ranked in the leading legal directory, Chambers UK, as Band 1 in both Planning and Environmental Law.  He acts for developers, local authorities and objectors at public inquiries, development plans and in the Planning Court and Court of Appeal. He is also an expert in TVG, CPO and highways. He sits as a TVG Inspector and acts for landowners and developers in resisting TVG claims.

Year of Call: 1981

Year of Silk: 2003

Areas of Expertise

Recommendations

Chambers UK 2022

"He is very confident and eloquent as an advocate and can be ferocious in cross-examinations." "He's very clever, very personable and builds good relationships with clients. He particulary knows the personalities involved with a lot of local planning authorities in the North West, which assists in navigating the way forward."

Chambers UK 2021

"He's a superb lawyer. He is very measured and his environment work is well regarded."

"He's very experienced and gives clear, direct advice." "He is amazing - top-notch."

Legal 500 2021

"David is one of the most insightful and forensic barristers I have had the pleasure to instruct. One of the best."

Legal 500 2020

"Very professional, courteous and approachable."

Chambers UK 2020

"He is very responsive and his style is very commercial, short and to the point, which is appreciated by clients."

"Very approachable and commercially minded." "He is very down to earth and good at concentrating on the key points."

Chambers UK 2018

"He's very personable and very able."

"His deep experience allows him to give excellent advice and guidance on the approach to planning applications. He is authoritative and balanced in presenting the case and in cross-examination." "An excellent advocate in inquiries."

Chambers UK 2017

"He is well prepared and analyses the issues, and provides punchy, straightforward advice." "He is an excellent source of local advice, an exceptional advocate and easy to talk to."

"He provides both pragmatic and extremely comprehensive legal advice. He is a highly effective advocate with a very client-focused approach." "He carries a lot of respect; when he speaks everybody listens and his reputation goes before him. He is very effective at thinking on his feet. Because of his experience and knowledge he is a force to be reckoned with."

Legal 500 2017

‘A clear and strategic advocate.’

‘Very knowledgeable and easy to work with.’

Chambers UK 2016

"He is absolutely excellent to work with. He delivers the goods." "He is top-draw, one of the best."

"A very forensic advocate." "He won't have anything of cutting corners. He knows what will happen under cross-examination."

Chambers UK 2015

"He's thorough, and gets to the point, and doesn't always just tell you what you want to hear. He explains the law accurately and in an understandable way. He's very personable, so it is always a good experience working with him." "He is a very strong advocate. He's confident and excellent at cross-examination. He gets to the bottom of every case and knows the detail."

"He's incredibly intellectual but very approachable as well - he gives very commercial advice, he's quick to respond and he's a brilliant advocate. Very client-friendly." "He's the king of inquiries."

Legal 500 2015

"Approachable and easy to work with"

"He has a great presence in the inquiry forum, both as an advocate and as an inspector"

Chambers UK 2014

David's preparation is thorough and he has a very sound approach to the analysis of planning cases. He is balanced in his presentation of cases at appeal and provides thoughtful advice in conference.

He has a keen eye for detail and what really matters in a case; he's a very polished advocate.

Chambers UK 2013

David Manley's QC practice covers all aspects of planning and environmental law work, and has a particular emphasis on the renewable energy sector. He is well known for his inquiry and judicial review work, and he recently appeared in the Todmorden public inquiry in relation to an application challenging the development of a wind farm.

David Manley QC is head of the planning team at the set and receives excellent client feedback for his "good knowledge" and the quality of his advocacy. "He has a good grip on the case before him and a certain commanding presence which puts people at ease. When he acts as an advocate he brings out a bit more of the terrier in him." Although primarily an inquiry practitioner, he also appears in judicial reviews on a regular basis.