See below for independent client’s/professional’s views on my qualities and approach to planning work. Attributions remain anonymous for reasons of professional courtesy.
Planning QC
” A great team player, hard working and thinks ‘outside the box.”
Planning QC
” Always ready to go the extra mile for his clients, John has a deep knowledge of planning law and a capacity for lateral thinking which he deploys tenaciously to get results others are apt to miss. “
Planning QC
“John Brearley is knowledgeable and determined. His clients have been wise to instruct him. “
Planning QC
“I worked with John on an enforcement case which raised some challenging points of law. John was a pleasure to work with and gave me invaluable support. I appreciated in particular his contribution to the legal arguments-he is very well versed in enforcement law. The appeal succeeded spectacularly, turning into a rout in which we won costs. The client should have been and was extremely grateful to John for his commitment to the case.”
Managing Director of Land Holding & Development Company
” John’s contribution was critical in handling a complex negotiation, averting the need for litigation and saving us nigh on £3million. I would describe him as principled, constructively aggressive in fighting for client’s interests, conceptually and intellectually astute, tenacious, professional, multi-skilled and amiable.”
Director of a prominent Development Company.
“I have worked continuously with John for the past dozen years or so on numerous and varied projects. He has an uncanny ability to combine attention to detail in the tactical with clarity of vision in the strategic, and this he does amiably, courteously and efficiently. John has been, and remains, a pleasure to work with.”
Managing Director of Property and Land Owning Companies
” When John gets hold of a Planning issue, it is turned inside out, with all angles and facts closely scrutinised before he assembles a case backed up with every conceivable intellectual and legal argument. With his ability to work with eminent Planning Q.C’s and other professionals, from whom John has gained much respect, the end results speak for themselves. My only hesitation in recommending him to both private and corporate clients is that I would prefer to keep him for myself. “
Managing Director of Waste Management Company
“John has advised and assisted us over a 4 year period with a particularly complicated and long standing Waste planning issue at one of our sites. He dealt with the County authority in a direct, assertive and professional manner, which resulted in the County authority acknowledging the lawfulness of our activities and issuing a valuable Certificate of Lawful Use.”
Commercial Development Surveyor
“John’s in depth knowledge of planning matters, in particular with regard to Greenbelt issues, and his ability to think laterally to find solutions to what appear to be insurmountable problems, have proved invaluable in the many projects I have been involved in with him as a fellow consultant. I would have no hesitation in recommending his services to both private and developer clients, and indeed have done so on several occasions.”
Planning Consultant
“I have worked with John Brearley for over 15 years and have always found him very supportive, articulate and extremely thorough in his research before providing a legal opinion or advice to resolve planning problems. We have also worked together at Public Inquiries and Informal Hearing where I have acted as a planning witness and John as advocate or instructing lawyer and would recommend him for this work for his thoroughness, lateral thinking and all that he can add to the way a case is presented.”
Senior Partner of a Commercial Solicitors Firm
“John is one of the most determined individuals I have had the pleasure to work with. His experience, common sense and a deep understanding of the law have enabled him to unlock many apparently intractable situations. It was my great pleasure to see John’s dogged determination, forensic and legal skills, command of the English Language, and good old-fashioned sense of justice come together for the benefit of our mutual clients when an unscrupulous opponent attempted to take advantage of them. I have no hesitation in recommending his services.”
Planning Consultant
“I have worked with John for over ten years, through public inquiries, and pre and post planning application negotiations, including complex legal agreements. John has an acute sense of negotiating realistic planning outcomes to the clients benefit. He also has a rare determination to stick to his guns when he feels ‘the other side’ are excessive in their demands in planning, and land and property matters. John also found new angles by in depth research, which frequently led to more positive outcomes for our clients. I felt very comfortable when involved in inquiries as a planning expert to have John briefing counsel and strengthening the necessary team spirit, so crucial to successful cases being presented.”
Award Winning London Architects
“We first worked with John when he was brought on board by a developer client, for a particularly complicated planning application in an inner London Borough. We were so impressed by his knowledge, efficiency and principled approach (and positive results!) that we began to refer him to other clients and colleagues with confidence. Over 10 years later, we still rely on him for specialist advice on the best approach for complex planning applications, and do not hesitate to recommend him.”