Timothy is very personable and cuts to the heart of each issue very quickly. He comes very well-prepared and in advocacy is never fazed by the fight and can ruffle feathers when he needs to. He can also bring inspectors and witnesses gently along with him when setting up a position.”

The Legal 500 2024, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Tim specialises in planning, compulsory purchase, local government and commercial law. He appears regularly on behalf of local planning authorities and developers in planning appeals, Judicial Review, statutory challenges of appeal decisions, and development plans, especially those dealing with housing need, the supply of land for housing, and heritage assets. His commercial practice focuses on commercial and real estate matters and contractual disputes.

He is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, and was previously an Associate of GVA Grimley. He spent 10 years as a Chief Officer in local government. He was appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown in February 2000.

Tim has been involved in some of the leading cases on the FOAN / 5-year housing land supply: Bloor Homes (East Midlands) v SSCLG and Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council; King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council v SSCLG and Elm Park Holdings; Oadby & Wigston Borough Council v SSCLG and Bloor Homes. He has also helped to advance a number of post-framework local plans, including most recently plans for East Hampshire District Council, Warwick District Council, and Melton Borough Council.

Tim is a member of the Attorney General’s Regional B Panel.

Cases

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Directory Quotes

Timothy is very personable and cuts to the heart of each issue very quickly. He comes very well-prepared and in advocacy is never fazed by the fight and can ruffle feathers when he needs to. He can also bring inspectors and witnesses gently along with him when setting up a position.”

The Legal 500 2024, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

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  • Qualifications & awards:

    • University of Birmingham, BSc (Hons) Geography 1982; University of Sheffield, MA Town and Regional Planning 1985;  University of Warwick Business School, Master of Public Administration 2007. MRTPI

  • Professional memberships:

    •  Royal Town Planning Institute

  • Timothy Leader is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.