James Maurici KC

Call: 1996

Silk: 2013

James practices in planning, environmental law, and public law.

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Practice summary

Planning

Environment

Public and Administrative

Cross-practice

Practice Summary

James practices in planning, environmental law, and public law. His practice regularly encompasses retained/ assimilated EU law and international law. James was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1996, and the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2009.

James was a member of the Attorney-General’s London Panels of Junior Counsel to the Crown from 1999-2013. He also served on the Welsh Assembly Government’s Junior Counsel Panel from 2009 to 2013.

He has been consistently ranked as a leading silk in planning, environmental law, and public law by Chambers and Legal 500. Environment/Planning Silk of the Year' at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022.

James has in the past chaired the Steering Groups for Planning, Environmental and Public Law at Landmark Chambers.

Planning law

James’s planning practice encompasses all aspects of planning including advisory and advocacy at inquiries, hearings, examinations and in the Higher Courts.

In 2023 he appeared for Taylor Wimpey in the longest running inquiry of the year – Wisley Airfield: 32 days.

Recent High Court cases include: R. (Weston Homes Plc) v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2024] EWHC 2089 (Admin); Taytime Ltd v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2024] EWHC 1053 (Admin); CPRE Kent v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government [2021] 1 W.L.R. 4168; Clin v Walter Lilly and Co Ltd [2021] 1 W.L.R. 2753 and R. (Plan B Earth) v Secretary of State for Transport [2020] P.T.S.R. 1446.

James has huge experience of dealing with EIA, SEA and habitats cases in the Higher Courts having been in many of the leading cases. James has particular expertise in air quality issues (affecting both human and ecological receptors). He has appeared for developers in a number of inquiries raising these issues and also acted in High Court cases. He has advised and acted on a number of Planning Act 2008 schemes and also Transport and Works Act Orders. He has particularly extensive knowledge of dealing with airports projects.

His practice also encompasses compulsory purchase and compensation, harbours, highways, rights of way, commons registration and village greens (both inquiries and in the Higher Courts). He has promoted a number of CPOs and has defended a number of High Court challenges to CPO orders. James has considerable experience of ports, harbour orders and marine licensing matters.

He has authored numerous articles (published in the JPL) on planning law.

He chaired the PEBA working groups which produced Good Practice Memorandum 2: Guidance for barristers on dealing with experts at Planning and Other Similar Inquiries and Good Practice Memorandum 3: The Role of Legal Representatives at Planning Appeal Hearings, Examinations and Planning Inquiry Round Table sessions (see https://peba.org.uk/resources/).

Environmental law

James’s environmental law practice is wide-ranging, covering matters such as habitats and species protection, civil sanctions, contaminated land, air quality, waste, access to environmental information, statutory and common law nuisance and all aspects of environment impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, water related issues, marine environmental issues and environmental permitting.

He regularly advises and engages in cases concerning access to environmental information. He is a co-author with Jacqueline Lean on the chapters on environmental information in Information Rights Coppel (6th ed, 2023). His recent cases include Supreme Court decision in Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd v United Utilities Water Ltd (No. 2) [2024] UKSC 22.

He has advised and acted in cases concerning the contaminated land regime in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He acted for the Secretary of State in challenges to the first ever remediation notice appeal (see R. (Redland Minerals Ltd) v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [2011] Env. L.R. 2 and R. (Crest Nicholson Residential Ltd) v Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [2011] Env. L.R. 1). He also appeared for Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council on the second ever appeal against a remediation notice in respect of the former Willenhall Gas Works.

James regularly advises on complex waste issues. James is acting for the Environment Agency in the case of Protreat v Environment Agency on reprocessed oils.

He has considerable expertise in climate change litigation.

He has also appeared a number of times before the UNECE Aarhus Compliance Committee in Geneva,: cases include ACCC/C/2010/45; ACCC/C/2010/53 (Edinburgh Tram) ACCC/C/2011/60; ACCC/C/2011/61 (Crossrail); ACCC/C/2012/77 (Nuclear NPS); and ACCC/C/2014/100 and 101 (High Speed 2). He is currently acting for the UK Government on the Brexit communication to the Compliance Committee - ACCC/C/2017/150. James has been in many of the leading cases on Aarhus costs. He is one of the authors of Landmark Chambers Aarhus Blog.

He is on the LexisPSL Environment Consulting Editorial Board and on the editorial board of Garner’s Environmental Law.

Public law

His public law practice is very wide ranging. He has appeared in a number of high-profile public law cases. He was a co-founder and co-editor of Judicial Review for many years and is now a consultant editor. He regularly speaks and writes on public law issues. Recent cases include R. (Wilkinson) v Enfield LBC [2024] EWHC 1193 (Admin); R. (Annington Property Ltd) v Secretary of State for Defence [2024] 1 W.L.R. 365 and R. (Doncaster MBC) v Doncaster Sheffield Airport Ltd [2022] EWHC 3060 (Admin); CPRE Kent v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government [2021] 1 W.L.R. 4168

Retained/ Assimilated EU law

James regularly advises and appears in cases concerning retained EU law. Before Brexit he regularly appeared in the Court of Justice of the European Union and the General Court of the European Union (formerly the European Court of First Instance) on environmental matters. James was previously a part-time College Lecturer in European Law at Hertford College, Oxford.

International

In addition to his extensive European Court practice (see above) James has made several appearances before the UNECE Aarhus Compliance Committee in Geneva. He has also acted in cases going to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. His international practice also includes cases in the Isle of Man (including before the Staff of Government see e.g. Penfolds v The Treasury and public law advisory work in Gibraltar and the Turks and Caicos Islands. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal of New Zealand Mick v Removal Review Authority ([1999] NZAR 111).

Planning

James’ planning practice encompasses all aspects of planning including advisory and advocacy at inquiries, hearings, examinations and in the Higher Courts.

In 2023 he appeared for Taylor Wimpey in the longest running inquiry of the year – Wisley Airfield: 32 days.

Recent High Court cases include: R. (Weston Homes Plc) v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2024] EWHC 2089 (Admin); Taytime Ltd v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2024] EWHC 1053 (Admin); CPRE Kent v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government [2021] 1 W.L.R. 4168; Clin v Walter Lilly and Co Ltd [2021] 1 W.L.R. 2753 and R. (Plan B Earth) v Secretary of State for Transport [2020] P.T.S.R. 1446.

James has huge experience of dealing with EIA, SEA and habitats cases in the Higher Courts having been in many of the leading cases. James has particular expertise in air quality issues (affecting both human and ecological receptors). He has appeared for developers in a number of inquiries raising these issues and also acted in High Court cases. He has advised and acted on a number of Planning Act 2008 schemes and also Transport and Works Act Orders. He has particularly extensive knowledge of dealing with airports projects.

His practice also encompasses compulsory purchase and compensation, harbours, highways, rights of way, commons registration and village greens (both inquiries and in the Higher Courts). He has promoted a number of CPOs and has defended a number of High Court challenges to CPO orders. James has considerable experience of ports, harbour orders and marine licensing matters.

He has authored numerous articles (published in the JPL) on planning law.

He chaired the PEBA working groups which produced Good Practice Memorandum 2: Guidance for barristers on dealing with experts at Planning and Other Similar Inquiries and Good Practice Memorandum 3: The Role of Legal Representatives at Planning Appeal Hearings, Examinations and Planning Inquiry Round Table sessions (see https://peba.org.uk/resources/).

James was a member of the Attorney-General’s London Panels of Junior Counsel to the Crown from 1999-2013. He also served on the Welsh Assembly Government’s Junior Counsel Panel from 2009 to 2013.

He has been consistently ranked as a leading silk in planning, environmental law, and public law by Chambers and Legal 500. Environment/Planning Silk of the Year' at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022.

James has in the past chaired the Steering Groups for Planning, Environmental and Public Law at Landmark Chambers.

Environment

James’ environmental law practice is wide-ranging, covering matters such as habitats and species protection, civil sanctions, contaminated land, air quality, waste, access to environmental information, statutory and common law nuisance and all aspects of environment impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, water related issues, marine environmental issues and environmental permitting.

He regularly advises and engages in cases concerning access to environmental information. He is a co-author with Jacqueline Lean on the chapters on environmental information in Information Rights Coppel (6th ed, 2023). His recent cases include Supreme Court decision in Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd v United Utilities Water Ltd (No. 2) [2024] UKSC 22.

He has advised and acted in cases concerning the contaminated land regime in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He acted for the Secretary of State in challenges to the first ever remediation notice appeal (see R. (Redland Minerals Ltd) v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [2011] Env. L.R. 2 and R. (Crest Nicholson Residential Ltd) v Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [2011] Env. L.R. 1). He also appeared for Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council on the second ever appeal against a remediation notice in respect of the former Willenhall Gas Works.

James regularly advises on complex waste issues. James is acting for the Environment Agency in the case of Protreat v Environment Agency on reprocessed oils.

He has considerable expertise in climate change litigation.

He has also appeared a number of times before the UNECE Aarhus Compliance Committee in Geneva,: cases include ACCC/C/2010/45; ACCC/C/2010/53 (Edinburgh Tram) ACCC/C/2011/60; ACCC/C/2011/61 (Crossrail); ACCC/C/2012/77 (Nuclear NPS); and ACCC/C/2014/100 and 101 (High Speed 2). He is currently acting for the UK Government on the Brexit communication to the Compliance Committee - ACCC/C/2017/150. James has been in many of the leading cases on Aarhus costs. He is one of the authors of Landmark Chambers Aarhus Blog.

He is on the LexisPSL Environment Consulting Editorial Board and on the editorial board of Garner’s Environmental Law.

James was a member of the Attorney-General’s London Panels of Junior Counsel to the Crown from 1999-2013. He also served on the Welsh Assembly Government’s Junior Counsel Panel from 2009 to 2013.

He has been consistently ranked as a leading silk in planning, environmental law, and public law by Chambers and Legal 500. Environment/Planning Silk of the Year' at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022.

James has in the past chaired the Steering Groups for Planning, Environmental and Public Law at Landmark Chambers.

Public and Administrative

James' public law practice is very wide ranging. He has appeared in a number of high-profile public law cases. He was a co-founder and co-editor of Judicial Review for many years and is now a consultant editor. He regularly speaks and writes on public law issues. Recent cases include R. (Wilkinson) v Enfield LBC [2024] EWHC 1193 (Admin); R. (Annington Property Ltd) v Secretary of State for Defence [2024] 1 W.L.R. 365 and R. (Doncaster MBC) v Doncaster Sheffield Airport Ltd [2022] EWHC 3060 (Admin); CPRE Kent v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government [2021] 1 W.L.R. 4168. 

James was a member of the Attorney-General’s London Panels of Junior Counsel to the Crown from 1999-2013. He also served on the Welsh Assembly Government’s Junior Counsel Panel from 2009 to 2013.

He has been consistently ranked as a leading silk in planning, environmental law, and public law by Chambers and Legal 500. Environment/Planning Silk of the Year' at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022.

James has in the past chaired the Steering Groups for Planning, Environmental and Public Law at Landmark Chambers.

Retained/ Assimilated EU law

James regularly advises and appears in cases concerning retained EU law. Before Brexit he regularly appeared in the Court of Justice of the European Union and the General Court of the European Union (formerly the European Court of First Instance) on environmental matters. James was previously a part-time College Lecturer in European Law at Hertford College, Oxford.

International

In addition to his extensive European Court practice (see above) James has made several appearances before the UNECE Aarhus Compliance Committee in Geneva. He has also acted in cases going to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. His international practice also includes cases in the Isle of Man (including before the Staff of Government see e.g. Penfolds v The Treasury and public law advisory work in Gibraltar and the Turks and Caicos Islands. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal of New Zealand Mick v Removal Review Authority ([1999] NZAR 111).

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

Highways and Rights of Access

Local Government

Public Interest Litigation

Public Works Projects

Specialisms

Commercial/Retail

Compulsory Purchase and Compensation

Development Consent Orders

Development Contribution: Section 106 and CIL

Development Plans and other planning policy

Energy

Green Belt

Heritage

Highways, Footpaths and Rights of Way

Infrastructure

Marine Planning and Harbour Orders

Minerals and Waste

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

Environmental Assessment (Environmental Outcomes)

Energy

Environmental Enforcement

Environmental information

Environmental Regulation

Habitats and Species

Nuisance

Pollution and Contaminated Land

Protection of the Countryside

Utilities

Waste

Water

Wildlife

Specialisms

High Court Planning

Highways and Public Rights of Access

Human Rights and Civil Liberties

International

Judicial Review

Local Government including Local Government Finance

Property Judicial Review

Specialisms

Energy

EU Law post-Brexit

Highways and Rights of Access

Local Government

Public Interest Litigation

Public Works Projects

"
An intellectual powerhouse."

Chambers and Partners

Chambers Top Ranked UK Bar 2024 Uk leading silk 2024 Planning and Land Use Silk of the Year Chambers UK Bar 2022 winner JPM The Planning Law Survey 2024

Qualifications and achievements

Qualifications

  • Jurisprudence, Hertford College Oxford BA (First Class Honours) 1994

  • BCL (First Class Honours) 1995
    In his BA he was awarded the Martin Wronker proxime

Awards

  • ‘Environment/Planning Junior of the Year’ at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2010
  • 'Environment/Planning Silk of the Year' at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022

Memberships

  • Administrative Law Bar Association
  • Bar European Group
  • Compulsory Purchase Association (previously served on the Board of the CPA and chaired the diversity working group)
  • Human Rights Lawyers Association
  • National Infrastructure Planning Association
  • Planning and Environmental Bar Association (In April 2021, James was appointed to the Council of NIPA. He is jointly leading and co-ordinating (with Ben Copithorne) the working group on Growing and Engaging a diverse membership)
  • United Kingdom Association for European Law
  • United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (Between June 2008 and June 2016 we was on the Council of UKELA and was also on the Executive Committee of UKELA for much of that time)
  • UK State Aid Law Association

Publications

Recommendations

Practice Managers

Contact our friendly and helpful Practice Managers for more information about our barristers and services or to make an enquiry.

Ben Connor

Ben Connor

Practice Director

020 7421 2483

Michael Gooch new

Michael Gooch

Senior Practice Manager

020 7421 1305

Jonathan Barley new

Jonathan Barley

Practice Manager

020 7421 2480

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