Year of call: 2011
Freddie is an experienced and knowledgeable advocate who specialises in planning and environmental law.
Freddie acts for developers, local planning authorities and interested parties at all stages of the Inquiry process. He is highly adept at advising on appeal strategy, the preparation of evidence and technical legal issues. He is a skilful and expert Inquiry advocate. When developers and local planning authorities are aggrieved by decisions, Freddie is regularly instructed to advise on and act in legal challenges in the higher courts.
He has acted in numerous large scale housing schemes for both developers and local authorities on sites across the country. Recent notable examples include:
The crossover between Freddie’s planning and environmental work is extensive. He regularly appears in appeals where renewable energy, ecological impacts and biodiversity are central issues. Recent examples include:
Freddie acts in both the defence of and objects to Local Plans. He provides advice on the process and soundness of plans and is commonly instructed to attend examinations in public. Current examples include: The Nuneaton and Bedworth Local Plan; The Chichester Local Plan; and The Mid-Sussex Local Plan.
In addition to his development work Freddie is an expert in enforcement matters. His wider knowledge of Local Government Law means he is regularly instructed to devise and implement enforcement strategies for problematic sites. In addition to his regular work in enforcement appeals, prosecutions and injunctive proceedings he has recently appeared in the High Court and Court of Appeal on appeals against enforcement decisions; Zafar v Stoke-on-Trent City Council [2020] EWHC 3249 (Admin) Devine v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2023] EWCA Civ 601 and Manchester City Council v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2021] EWCA Civ 1920.
Freddie is a committee member of the Planning and Environmental Bar Association and is ranked as one of the top 25 junior planning barristers in the country.
Away from his professional practice Freddie volunteers with EVOVLE-FILA a charity which assists death row inmates in Uganda. He has drafted pleadings in capital cases for the Ugandan Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and visited inmates in Luzira Prison.
Defending a challenge in the High Court under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 on the grant of Temporary Traffic Regulation Order and making an application for an Extended Civil Restraint Order.
Acting for Selby District Council in defence of their Core Strategy in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Central question was the extent of the duty to cooperate under s.33A (Junior to Alan Evans)
Wakefield CiL examination, representing retail park operator in objecting to the definitions in the charging schedule and the calculation of the levy.
Various enforcement proceedings, including Enforcement Notice appeals, issuing of Temporary Stop Notices and grant of s.187B Injunctions including on Gypsy and Traveller Sites.
Sam Smiths Old Brewery (Tadcaster) v Selby District Council [2015] EWCA Civ 1107
Defending Local Authorities decision to revoke a Taxi Licence of a driver who had been acquitted in the Crown Court of Sexual Harassment charges.
Multiple Crown Court appearances on appeals against convictions relating to plying for hire and other breaches of the Licensing Legislation.
Advisor to Birmingham City Council Licensing Sub-Committee on a review application of Gatecrasher Nightclub, the biggest club in the city, brought by the Police.
Acting for Selby District Council in defence of their Core Strategy in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Central question was the extent of the duty to cooperate under s.33A (Junior to Alan Evans)
Wakefield CiL examination, representing retail park operator in objecting to the definitions in the charging schedule and the calculation of the levy.
Various enforcement proceedings, including Enforcement Notice appeals, issuing of Temporary Stop Notices and grant of s.187B Injunctions including on Gypsy and Traveller Sites.
Sam Smiths Old Brewery (Tadcaster) v Selby District Council [2015] EWCA Civ 1107
Residential
Successfully acted for Rotherham Council at 6 day appeal in November 2021 opposing residential scheme for 116 dwellings
Defending at Inquiry Lichfield Borough Council’s refusal of 121 dwellings issues included 5yr HLS, Heritage and Highways.
Defending at Inquiry Cheshire West’s refusal for 315 dwellings on three different sites in a linked appeal by three different developers issues of 5yrHLS and Landscape (junior to Martin Carter).
Highways
Appearing in the County Court for a public highway declaration based on historical documentation. Involved related claims for damages arising out of trespass and a claim for an injunction.
Land to the East and West of Brickyard Lane, Melton Park; APP/E2001/A/13/2200981
Land South of Forest School Street, Rolleston on Dove; APP/B3410/A/13/2209697
R (on the application of Marton-cum-Grafton Parish Council) v North Yorkshire County Council [2013] EWHC 2406 (Admin)
Chambers UK 2025
“He is exceptional, very approachable, very responsive and a real pleasure to work with.”
“Freddie Humphreys is very talented.”
Legal 500 2025
‘Freddie has developed into a very effective operator in planning appeal inquiries and appeal heaings. He has a knack of simplifying a complicated case into key points which he presents in an irresistible manner, and he is a most effective cross-examiner.’
Chambers UK 2024
“Freddie is an exceptionally bright and gifted lawyer.”
Legal 500 2024
‘Freddie is an exceptional barrister. His cross-examination is very effective and he is extremely confident and assured in court. He provides clear and succinct advice.’
‘Freddie is an exceptional barrister. His cross-examination is very effective and he is extremely confident and assured in court. He provides clear and succinct advice.’
Chambers UK 2023
“Grasps the points very quickly, and good at critical analysis.”
“A fantastic junior who provides excellent and clear commercial advice.”
“Freddie Humphreys is very pragmatic and really good at analysing the law and being decisive.”
Chambers UK 2022
“He is a very good advocate. He really knows the strengths in his case and drives forward maximising those aspects.”
Chambers UK 2021
“Very personable and a good advocate, who is clear, very experienced and knowledgeable in licensing law.” “He has a great understanding of the issues and is great with clients.”
“A great advocate.”
Legal 500 2021
“Approachable and provides pragmatic and effective advice with expert licensing knowledge.”
Chambers UK 2020
“You quickly feel comfortable working with him and he has an authority. He’s impressive all round.” “Extremely effective.”
Chambers UK 2018
“We found him to be approachable and friendly. He is very clear and succinct in his advice and timely in his delivery.” “Very enthusiastic. He impresses clients and provides very clear, unambiguous advice.”
Chambers UK 2017
“A rising star, relatively recently called to the Bar, but who seems to understand what it is all about, and has a good grasp.” “He is a good junior who is well prepared and personable.”
Planning Magazine:
Freddie has been cited as one of the top planning barristers under the age of 35 in the 2014 and 2015 Surveys.
