Practice Summary
Claudia is a junior barrister who has appeared in high-profile cases at all levels from the First-tier Tribunal to the Supreme Court. She joined Landmark Chambers as a tenant in October 2024 following successful completion of pupillage and accepts instructions across all areas of public, planning and environmental law. She has acted for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), public bodies, individuals and developers.
Claudia is building a busy and diverse public law practice. Since commencing tenancy, Claudia’s notable work has included:
- R (on the application of Bano) v London Borough of Waltham Forest [2026] UKSC 22: Claudia acted for the intervener, Shelter, in a landmark Supreme Court case concerning the discharge of the main housing duty and the application of the common law right to receive notification of a decision in the context of homelessness law, led by Justin Bates KC with Siân McGibbon.
- Vargova and Molnar v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWCA Civ 31: Claudia acted for the successful respondent, led by Julia Smyth KC with Natasha Jackson and Harriet Wakeman, in a significant case concerning the applicability of the principle of proportionality in deportation appeals in respect of EEA nationals who committed offences post-Implementation Period Completion Day.
- R (on the application of Guardians of Whitewebbs CIC) v London Borough of Enfield [2026] EWHC 1916 (Admin): Claudia acted for the successful Claimant, led by Jenny Wigley KC with Alex Shattock, in a challenge to the London Borough of Enfield’s decision to grant planning permission to Tottenham Hotspur FC for a major training complex on 16 acres of parkland.
- AH and AK v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2026] UKUT 50 (AAC): Claudia acted for the successful first appellant, led by Matthew Fraser, in an appeal before a three-judge panel of the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) that clarified the proper approach to the interpretation of the Personal Independence Payment Regulations.
- Acting as junior counsel to the Lampard Inquiry, the first public inquiry set up to examine mental health deaths, led by Nicholas Griffin KC.
- Acting as junior counsel, alongside Harriet Wakeman, to David Blundell KC in the Cranston Inquiry.
Claudia regularly undertakes pro bono work, is a member of Advocate’s panel of barristers and was recognised on the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Recognition list in both 2025 and 2026. She edits Landmark Chambers’ Public and Administrative Law blog, and co-authored two chapters of ‘The Law and Practice of Human Rights’ regarding Articles 3 and 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Outside the bar, Claudia is on the Executive Committee of the Human Rights Lawyers Association, having previously served as Vice-Chair of the Junior Lawyers Division.
Claudia graduated with a first-class law degree, receiving several academic prizes, and received a scholarship to study an LLM in Public International Law. She speaks fluent French and German, and is well-placed to advise on matters with international law aspects.
Before joining the bar, Claudia worked at several human rights charities, advising on legal and public affairs, campaigns and policy matters, affording her unique expertise in strategic litigation. After completing her Master’s degree, she worked as a Judicial Assistant in the Court of Appeal to Simler LJ (as she then was).
Public and Administrative
Claudia is building a broad public and administrative law practice. She has particular interest and expertise in matters concerning the Human Rights 1998, Equality Act 2010 and the UK’s obligations under international law, drawing upon her experience working at several domestic and international human rights NGOs:
- Human rights and civil liberties: Claudia regularly advises on matters raising issues under the Human Rights Act 1998 and has experience of advising on and conducting litigation under Articles 2, 3, 4, 8, 11, 14 and A1P1. She co-authored the chapters on Articles 3 and 4 in ‘The Law and Practice of Human Rights’, and writes headnotes for European Human Rights Reports. Before pupillage, Claudia volunteered in the Advice and Information Team at Liberty and was a researcher for a best-selling human rights book.
- Public inquiries and inquests: Claudia is a sought-after junior in public inquiry and inquest work. She acts as junior counsel to the Lampard Inquiry, an independent statutory inquiry investigating the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex between 2000 and 2023. She previously acted as junior counsel, alongside Harriet Wakeman, to David Blundell KC in the Cranston Inquiry, and has been instructed in litigation arising out of public inquiry reports. She also has a keen interest in coronial law and has been instructed to act for interested parties in both Middleton and Jamieson inquests.
- Immigration and asylum: Claudia regularly acts in immigration and asylum claims at all levels, including the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, appearing for the successful respondent in Vargova and Molnar v Secretary of State for the Home Department. She has a particular interest in protection claims and claims under the Refugee Convention, holding a Master’s Degree in Public International Law, and has acted for appellants in matters including humanitarian protection, human rights and foreign national offenders, as well as age assessment cases, bail hearings and cases concerning victims of trafficking.
- Education: Claudia accepts instructions in all aspects of education law. She has successfully represented appellants and respondents in Special Educational Needs and Disability appeals in the First-Tier Tribunal. Other recent instructions include advising school leaders and governing bodies on academisation; acting in a series of high-profile judicial reviews concerning student loan eligibility; and advising on limitation issues in educational discrimination claims under the Equality Act 2010.
- Public international law: Claudia has advised several government departments on the interpretation of and the UK’s compliance with international legal instruments. During pupillage, Claudia gained experience in matters involving international human rights, maritime and environmental law. Her previous work experience includes providing legal analysis for a genocide prevention charity and interning at an international human rights charity that supports survivors of torture.
- Community care: Claudia has advised on matters concerning the discharge of duties under the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. She recently secured urgent interim relief for a vulnerable client in a challenge to an NHS commissioning body’s discharge of its statutory duties. While at the Court of Appeal, Claudia worked on one of the leading cases concerning the scope of the section 18 duty to provide care and support in relation to assessed needs at both the permission and hearing stages (R (on the application of BG & Anor) v Suffolk County Council
[2022] EWCA Civ 1047).
- Social security: Claudia acts for appellants, often on a pro bono basis, in social security appeals. She acted for the successful appellant, led by Matthew Fraser, in AH and AK v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2026] UKUT 50 (AAC), a significant Upper Tribunal judgment concerning the interpretation of the Personal Independence Payment Regulations. She served for five years on the board of trustees of an advice charity in South-East London, having previously volunteered, where she advised clients on Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments applications and appeals.
Planning
Claudia regularly acts on behalf of community groups, developers, local authorities and central government in all aspects of planning and environmental law.
Notable recent instructions include:
- Blaby Golf Centre (Appeal Ref: 6004284): Claudia acted for the successful appellant, Hallam Land Management, in a nine-day inquiry in an appeal against Blaby District Council’s refusal of planning permission for 200 residential dwellings on the site of the existing Blaby Golf Course, led by James Maurici KC.
- R (on the application of Guardians of Whitewebbs CIC) v London Borough of Enfield [2026] EWHC 1916 (Admin): Claudia acted for the successful Claimant, led by Jenny Wigley KC with Alex Shattock, in a challenge to the London Borough of Enfield’s decision to grant planning permission to Tottenham Hotspur FC for a major training complex on 16 acres of parkland.
- R (on the application of Thomas) v London Borough of Lewisham [2026] EWHC 1840 (Admin): Claudia acted for the Claimant in a judicial review challenge to a grant of planning permission for a major student housing scheme and demolition of existing housing, led by Jenny Wigley KC.
- Assisting in drafting Summary Grounds of Resistance in London Borough of Southwark v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government & Anor
[2025] EWHC 1556 (Admin), a notable recent case concerning the interpretation of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertising) (England) Regulations 2007 and the application of section 72 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
- Advising a landowner on strategy for negotiations of a section 106 “burden sharing” agreement in relation to a major music festival.
Prior to qualifying as a barrister, Claudia had a successful career in public affairs, specialising in political consulting, influencing and policy development in local and regional government. She advised clients including FTSE-100 listed property developers and renewable energy companies on the political, reputational and policy aspects of securing planning permission.
Claudia is a headnote editor for the Journal of Planning and Environment Law and is able to advise on the implications of significant planning judgments.
Environment
Claudia is developing a varied practice covering all aspects of environmental law. Her recent experience has included:
- Advising a community group on grounds to oppose an application for a Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development for a houseboat in an area of high flood risk.
- Successfully representing the appellant, drafting submissions and acting as sole counsel in Cawthorne v Information Commissioner [2024] UKFTT 00978 (GRC), a high-profile appeal against a local authority’s refusal of a request for information relating to chemical testing under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
- Advising a government department on the UK’s compliance with the draft provisions of a forthcoming international environmental treaty.
- Advising a community group on potential grounds for statutory review of an Inspector’s decision granting planning permission for a major development in a highly sensitive area located in close proximity to several SSSIs.
- Advising a renewable energy producer on the interpretation and application of the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations 2018.
During pupillage, Claudia was supervised by Richard Turney KC and Sasha Blackmore KC. She assisted with advice on Biodiversity Net Gain requirements, Habitats Regulations Assessment issues, SEA and EIA issues, the powers of the Forestry Commission to issue restocking notices and environment and climate-change related judicial review applications.
Claudia is a member of the Planning and Environmental Bar Association (PEBA) and the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (UKELA).
Local Government
With a strong track record of advising and representing local authorities, we offer expert legal support across a diverse range of areas and issues. Recognised for our clear, pragmatic legal guidance and strong advocacy, we are well-placed to support local government bodies in meeting complex and evolving challenges.
Cross-practice
Landmark's barristers often work at the intersection of our core practice areas; bringing a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience to bear on a particular dispute or issue facing a client.
Our focus is always on achieving the best possible outcome for our client. By viewing the client's objectives in a holistic way - and not purely through the lens of one rigidly-defined legal area - we deliver the best possible advice and representation in complex matters that engage multiple specialist areas of law.
Whether it's providing support as an individual cross-practice barrister or a cross-disciplinary team of Landmark counsel, we are able to draw on an outstanding array of complementary skillsets and knowledge bases. This often achieves a better result than instructing multiple barristers from different specialist sets. This also improves the quality of client care through increased levels of communication, quicker response times, and a coordinated approach to clerking and fees, made possible by our team-based cross-practice approach.
Please contact our practice management team for more information.
Energy
EU Law post-Brexit
Public Interest Litigation
Specialisms
Court of Protection
Education
Energy and Utilities
High Court Planning
Housing and homelessness
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Immigration
International
Judicial Review
National Security
NHS, Health and Community Care
Public Inquiries and Inquests
Social Security
Specialisms
Commercial/Retail
Compulsory Purchase and Compensation
Development Consent Orders
Development Contribution: Section 106 and CIL
Development Plans and other planning policy
Environment
Green Belt and Grey Belt
Heritage
Infrastructure
Neighbourhood Planning
Planning Appeals, Inquiries and Hearings
Planning Enforcement and Injunctions
Planning Judicial and Statutory Reviews
Residential
Transport Orders and Parliamentary Bills
Specialisms
Aarhus Convention and Environmental Justice
Air Quality
Climate Change and Emissions Trading
Ecology and Biodiversity
Energy
Environmental Assessment (Environmental Outcomes)
Environmental Enforcement
Environmental information
Environmental Regulation
Habitats and Species
Nuisance
Pollution and Contaminated Land
Protection of the Countryside
Utilities
Waste
Water
Wildlife
Specialisms
Commercial and Contractual Disputes, and Procurement issues
Company
Confidential and Sensitive Advice
Data protection
Education
Governance, Constitutional and Public law
Judicial Reviews
Finance
Regulatory
Specialisms
Energy
EU Law post-Brexit
Public Interest Litigation
