Keen to discuss matters ahead of formal instruction where appropriate, David enjoys working as part of a close and relatively informal team with clients and those instructing him.  He tries to adopt a flexible approach to meeting client needs.

Environmental law

David specialises in judicial review challenges to planning and regulatory decisions, particularly those which involve complex legal matters, including: principles derived from EC law (such as the requirement for EIA and BAT assessment) in relation to matters such as waste disposal; mobile phone masts; nuclear installations; cement kilns; and contaminated land. Prior to coming to the Bar, David gained a PhD in Engineering in the light of which he is regularly involved in cases involving complex technical evidence.

Education law

David regularly acts for Local Education Authorities, NGOs, schools/colleges and parents/children in statutory appeals and judicial review challenges (including in relation to special educational needs, disability discrimination, admissions, exclusions and school reorganisations).

His special educational needs (SEN) challenges have involved: jurisdiction of the SEN Tribunal; unlawful delegation of assessment by the Tribunal; obligation to specify and quantify provision in a Statement; designation of special schools; obligations in relation to parental preference; classification of provision into educational or non-educational; and the enforcement of provision set out in a Statement.

David’s exclusion cases have considered: the complainant's right to appear before an exclusion appeal; the legality of government guidance; and the admissibility of hearsay evidence.

David is an editor of Butterworth's Law of Education, (aka The Education Encyclopaedia), and a part time chair of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.