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Landmark Chambers welcomes two new tenants today (Tuesday 1 October 2024) as Claudia Hyde (2023) and Ashley Thompson (2023) become members of Chambers following the successful completion of their pupillage.
Claudia accepts instructions across all areas of public, planning, environmental and property law. She has acted for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), public bodies (including central government), individuals and developers. Since commencing practice, Claudia’s notable work has included: Acting as junior counsel, alongside Harriet Wakeman, to David Blundell KC in the Cranston Inquiry; acting for the appellant in an appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) in a high-profile matter regarding the refusal of a request for information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004; 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; representing landlords and tenants in residential possession proceedings arising out of tenancies under the Housing Act 1988, as well as in related civil and interlocutory applications such as applications to set aside, directions and allocation hearings.
Claudia is a member of the Attorney General’s “Junior Junior” scheme. She accepts instructions on a pro bono basis in appropriate cases and is a member of Advocate’s panel of barristers. Claudia is the editor of Landmark Chambers’ Public and Administrative Law blog, and additionally writes headnotes for the Journal of Planning and Environment Law and European Human Rights Reports. 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 had a successful career in public affairs. This included advising charities, trade unions, public bodies and FTSE-100 listed companies on stakeholder, government and media relations strategy. After completing her Master’s Degree, she worked as a Judicial Assistant in the Court of Appeal to Simler LJ (as she then was). Outside the Bar, Claudia is a trustee of Community Advice Works, a legal advice charity in her local community, and is on the Junior Lawyers Committee of the Human Rights Lawyers Association, having previously served as Vice-Chair.
Ashley specialises in commercial, residential and agricultural property law. He has a busy practice advising and representing both landlords and tenants, drawing on his previous experience as a solicitor in the City. Alongside Ashley’s property practice, he is actively building a practice in rating law. Owing to his time as a solicitor, Ashley has significant experience in residential (both s. 8 and s. 21) and commercial possession proceedings (tenants and trespassers); forfeiture (by peaceable re-entry and proceedings); land registration; the renewal of business tenancies under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954; lease extensions under both the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 and the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993; nuisance claims; excessive use of easements; restrictive covenants; claims under the Trust of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996; insolvency and bankruptcy; and rights of common. Ashley particularly enjoys advising on the more niche areas of property law (e.g., rights of first refusal, riparian rights, bona vacantia and escheat, and common land), and the challenge of exploring unchartered territory.
Whilst in law firms, Ashley was involved in significant pieces of litigation: Ludgate House Ltd v Ricketts [2021] 1 WLR 1750; the Post Office litigation; and Zaid Alothman Holdings Ltd & 75 others v Better Intelligent Management Ltd & Phoenix Place (Liverpool) Management Limited (County Court at Central London – 7 May 2024). Following his time as a solicitor, Ashley was a judicial assistant in the High Court to Mr Justice Zacaroli (as he then was), Mr Justice Fancourt and Mr Justice Adam Johnson. Ashley is committed to pro bono work. During his training contract, he spent six months on secondment to the AIRE Centre, providing advice to EEA nationals on their human rights and assisting with third party interventions in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Commenting on the news, Head of Landmark Chambers’ Pupillage Committee, Scott Lyness KC said: “We are delighted to welcome Claudia and Ashley as members of Chambers. Over the past year, they have demonstrated outstanding ability and commitment to pupillage. Their contributions will be invaluable to Landmark, and we are excited to support them as they continue to develop their careers”.
