Year of call: 2004 | Year of silk: 2022
Sarah Reid KC specialises in all areas of Town and Country Planning. She is consistently recognised as one of the leading planning barristers in the country. For example, she is rated as a Tier 1/Band 1 Planning Silk in the 2025 editions of The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners; she has been featured by Planning Magazine as one of the top three female Planning Silks in the country every year since taking Silk in 2022; and she has been recognised on The Planner’s Women of Influence List on multiple occasions.
The 2025 Directories describe Sarah as,
“…absolutely superb and provides razor-sharp advice and cross examination. She leaves no stone unturned”.
(Legal 500).
“A top KC who is all over the detail and is so determined. She inspires us through her leadership”.
Sarah Reid provides really clear advice and expectations, she is fantastic.”
(Chambers and Partners)
Sarah is the Deputy Head of the Planning Team at Kings Chambers.
Sarah has a particular specialism in large scale housing schemes and has represented many of the national developers and land promoters in this capacity. By way of example, in 2024 she appeared on behalf of Catesby Developments, Bellway Homes, and Richborough Estates, successfully securing permission for major residential development schemes for each at appeal. She has conducted numerous appeals in relation to schemes for specialist accommodation for the elderly, including, by way of example, on behalf of developers such as McCarthy and Stone and Churchill Retirement Living.
Sarah has extensive experience across the full range of planning matters. By way of example, in 2024 she represented Blackpool Council in a Compulsory Purchase Order inquiry, to acquire land to deliver a major regeneration, education – led scheme known as “The Multiversity Project”. In 2024, she also appeared for Warrington Council at a major logistics inquiry.
Sarah frequently advises on Local Plan preparation and appears at Local Plan Examinations on behalf of local authorities and developers. By way of example, she advised and represented Warrington Council from the earliest stages of its Plan preparation through to Plan adoption in December 2023. In 2024, she also represented Sheffield City Council in its Part 1 and Part 2 Local Plan Examinations.
Sarah frequently appears in statutory challenges and judicial review proceedings. In 2024, she successfully represented Catesby Developments, Richborough Estates and Lone Star Land in resisting statutory challenges to appeal decisions granting permission for their schemes. Prior to taking Silk, Sarah was appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown on its leading “A Panel”, regularly advising and appearing on behalf of the Secretary of State in the most complex of planning matters and statutory challenges.
Sarah also specialises in highways and rights of way matters, and prior to taking Silk was the Assistant Editor of the leading practitioner’s text on the subject (the Encyclopedia of Highway Law and Practice).
Sarah was instrumental in establishing Women in Planning North – West and has been a member of its committee since its inception. She is also a member of the Planning and Environmental Bar Association (PEBA) and was a member of its committee for many years. Prior to becoming Deputy Head of the Planning Team at Kings Chambers, she was Head of Recruitment in Chambers.
Recent Planning Appeals
Examples of Recent Court Work
Recent Local Plan Examinations
Legal 500 (2018 – 2025)
‘Sarah is absolutely superb and provides razor-sharp advice and cross-examination. She leaves no stone unturned.’
‘Sarah is a tenacious cross-examiner who prepares thoroughly for her cases. A forensic advocate.’
“Extremely thorough and leaves no stone unturned in ensuring the best possible outcome.”
“Sarah is very approachable and takes a hands-on approach to appeal work, truly becoming part of the team, offering support and advice throughout the process. Inspectors are happy for her to participate in the hearings themselves and that allows her to make full use of her knowledge of technical matters and case law. She also has excellent peripheral vision of any planning cases elsewhere that may assist her clients.”
“She leaves no stone unturned in a case”
“A formidable advocate”
“Sarah is incredibly approachable and astute and we found these strengths made her particularly strong in planning appeal settings where situations change rapidly and can be turned to the clients advantage. It has meant she has turned potential losses into wins.”
“Particularly experienced in environmental matters.”
Chambers UK (2016 – 2025)
“Sarah Reid is a top KC who is all over the detail and is so determined. She inspires us through her leadership.”
“Sarah Reid provides really clear advice and expectations. She is fantastic.”
“Sarah Reid is a top KC who is all over the detail and is so determined.”
“Sarah is an excellent advocate. Her advice on case management and her submissions are both superb. Sarah goes that extra mile to advise clients and their teams so that the best case possible is presented.”
“I have found Sarah to be exceptional in all areas.”
“Sarah Reid brings a strong inquisitive mind to all cases. She is dedicated to securing the right outcome for clients and her advocacy will always search for the right answers in a calm but authoritative style.”
“Sarah is very experienced and knowledgeable. She gives clear advice and is approachable.”
“Attracts plentiful praise…she is noted for her expert strategy and effective advocacy style”
“She is one of the most thorough lawyers that I have ever come across. She is extremely good on matters of detail and fact, very insightful when it comes to the law, and someone who manages to put the most complex of matters in ways that clients understand”
“Maintains a wide ranging planning practice…she is particularly well versed in planning matters pertaining to residential and retail developments”
“Very effective cross-examiner.”
“Makes technical issues accessible to those who aren’t as academically astute as her.”
“Good with handling clients and witnesses.”
“Very approachable and confident in her approach to cases”
“Very sharp. Her cross – examinations are good”
“Hard working and very keen to make sure she has fully understood the case and is mapping a way to the best result”
“Very thorough and diligent. She is also very approachable and very hands on”
“She shows a very great attention to detail and is very, very focused”
“She is very good at motivating and is a good leader of a team”
“She puts witnesses at ease and she’s very easy to work with.”
“She is extremely dedicated and motivated, and meticulous in how she goes about things”
“I would pick her out. She is very effective”
Planners Women of Influence List
“Easily one of the best barristers I have worked with in my 20 years as a Planner”.
“Outstanding advice to my local authority in support of the preparation of our local plan. She has been able to articulate the new policy requirements of the NPPF/PPG in a practical and clear way – not only to my team but to our specialist consultants”.
“I have had the privilege of working with Sarah over the last two years. Her attention to detail is second to none and she always goes that extra mile, putting her head and shoulders above many of her fellow barristers.”
“Sarah is considered to be a ‘silk in the making’. She is a formidable advocate …”
“Sarah is an extremely professional and experienced planning barrister who has been beyond helpful at planning inquiries.”
“Her friendly manner has built my confidence and influenced my experience of inquiries and giving professional evidence”.
“She is always positive and encouraging, and will always take time to be supportive and provide assistance.”.
“…a superb role model for others entering the profession and has been instrumental in establishing and promoting the group ‘Women in Planning’. She is now an established member of the Planning and Environmental Bar Association.”
Planning Magazine: Silks List (2022 – 2024) and Top Rated Junior List (2018 – 2020)
Recent Planning Appeals
Examples of Recent Court Work
Recent Local Plan Examinations
