As a leading solicitor / partner in two international law firms, turned barrister, Jeremy Phillips QC now represents companies, government departments, councils, police forces and residents’ groups across a unique range of associated legal disciplines.
Jeremy Phillips is also a member of the Review Panel for LawWorks, a charity which aims to provide free legal help to individuals and community groups who cannot afford to pay for it and who are unable to access legal aid, and for whom he reviews applications for assistance and in a limited number of approved cases, conducts mediations.
Jeremy is also a trained volunteer for the work of IPSEA, a national charity providing free legally based advice to families who have children with special educational needs. In appropriate cases he will represent parents and their children before the SENDIST (Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal).
He is now a trustee of the Licensed Trade Charity, which has supported licensees since 1756.
Jeremy Phillips has a broad range of experience in the specialist field of planning work, ranging from major infrastructure inquiries (for an interested party at the hearing stage in the £4bn Thames Tideway Tunnel project to assisting in the promotion of the Weymouth and Newton Abbot bypass schemes), advising on draft Core Strategy, High Court challenges on technical issues (Beazer Homes re monies held under a s.106 and Metro Construction re designation of conservation areas) to smaller inquiries on enforcement issues and housing and retail development schemes. Jeremy recently represented the Bristol Ramblers Group, at an Inquiry concerning Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
Jeremy has also gained unique experience at the Infrastructure Planning Commission, working in-house on the development of the new regime.
Securing rail extinguishment order for Network Rail, addressing the range of important technical, social and legal issues arising.
Representing an interested party in relation to the impact of the project, raising novel issues under the Planning Act 2008 and securing necessary ‘requirements’ in approved DCO.
[APP/W3710/A/12/2176750] – Proposed developments of erection of 84 houses. Successful appeal under section 78 against refusal to grant outline planning permission.
[APP/M2270/A/10 /2138774] – Resisting appeal against refusal of permission for development of new retail store in District Centre.
[LLC/MM/004/2008] – TVG Inquiry on behalf of residents association.
Declaratory proceedings jointly with Leading Counsel as to the obligations of LPAs in relation to monies held under a s.106 agreement (2010).
Jointly with Leading Counsel concerning the lawfulness of the designation of sites as Conservation Areas (2009).
Public inquiry jointly with Leading Counsel into major infrastructure proposal (2008) – resulting in the confirmation of the CPOs needed to enable the construction of the road required for the 2012 Olympics to proceed. Similarly involved in 4 week public inquiry into the South Devon Link Road (2009).
[APP/N1920/A/07/2018226] – Resisting appeal against refusal to grant planning permission and proposal to meet affordable housing requirement with off-site provision.
Jeremy Phillips’ experience in the regulatory field over a period of 30 years ranges from defending leading supermarket retailers in smaller scale prosecutions for breach of trading standards and food safety legislation, to involvement in major environmental and health and safety criminal cases, both as prosecution and defence counsel.
He is also co-author of the new leading work: The Law of Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions – A Practical Guide, which examines the potential impact of the Regulatory Enforcement & Sanctions Act 2008.
H&S prosecution for s.2 and s.3 HSWA offences and breach of LOLER requirements concerning safety of goods lifts. Minimising penalty through Newton hearing.
Challenging Noise Abatement Notice. Local authority sought unsuccessfully to appeal outcome to High Court by way of Case Stated.
Successfully prosecuted a range of food labelling offences.
Representing defendant in the Crown Court in relation to confiscation proceedings arising from a larger complex prosecution operation.
Representing national operator in noxious fumes case through to a highly successful outcome.
Defence of hotel/conference centre for breach of food hygiene regulations.
Drafting/advising upon successful application to the Divisional Court challenging unlawful transfer of legal aid in criminal proceedings.
Representing EA in Crown Court trial for range of waste offences.
Appearing on behalf of defendant in relation to allegations of multiple breaches of Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regs 2007.
HSE prosecution and Newton hearing into causes of substantial building collapse; having regard to civil issues.
As a solicitor Jeremy Phillips was recognised for many years as one of the leading practitioners in England and Wales, conceiving and launching the successful High Court decision which enabled pubs and bars throughout the country to open all day for the 2002 World Cup. He has been involved since in many of the leading decisions in this field, before licensing committees, magistrates and in the High Court, enjoying representing operators, residents, police and licensing authorities (e.g. Gurgur v London Borough of Enfield [2013] EWHC 3483 (Admin); R (Lalli) v Metropolitan Police Commissioner and Newham Borough Council [2015] EWHC 14 (Admin), R (Thompson and Spearmint Rhino Ventures (UK) Limited) v Oxford City Council [2014] EWCA Civ 94 and Chohan v Gambling Commission [2012] UKFTT (Gen).
Jeremy is Editor in Chief of Paterson’s Licensing Acts, the only work of reference in this field. He is frequently called upon to speak in public on licensing issue; recent appearances include a House of Commons committee and ‘You & Yours’ with Peter White MBE on BBC Radio 4.
Advised local retailer on legal issues arising under Manx law concerning challenge in the Licensing Court of Appeal on issues of vires and potential bias. Drafting necessary Petition of Doleance and Case Stated. Application to Adjourn granted as sought.
Determined which policies and versions of S of S Guidance should apply to licensing appeals.
Whether premises could be said to have become associated with serious crime on the basis of a single incident involving some violence.
Extent to which licensing authority able to refuse renewal without distinguishing from previous grant.
Duties of a holder of a personal management licence. First ever appeal determined by First Tier Tribunal (Gen – Gambling).
Where a licensing authority had imposed restrictions on a premises licence for a nightclub without giving reasons and the magistrates’ court had dismissed an appeal against that decision, an appeal by way of case stated was allowed and the matter was remitted to the licensing authority to give a reasoned decision. Costs awarded.
Entitlement of Justices to order licensing authority to pay costs on appeal – requirement for conditions imposed to be intelligible to parties and those not involved in the proceedings.
Clarified the extent of a licensing authority’s power in relation to its published policy.
Despite objections from Dorset police, councillors and residents, Bournemouth magistrates overturned a decision of the licensing authority and granted a licence to a 480 person capacity bar and nightclub in the town’s cumulative impact zone.
successfully resisting an appeal against revocation. Also pursuing application for summary review, overturning High Court stay on suspension of licence and securing an costs order against director in his personal capacity.
Advisory work on issues of overage, conditional contracts, auction particulars etc.
Ccomprehensive revision of specialist ‘loss of licence’ policy.
Advising international exhibition venue on various technical issues arising under Private Security Industry Act 2001.
Advisory work on various elements of published policy.
Various, including multi-party multi-issue mediation arising from the Business & Enterprise Select Committee (BESC): Relationship Between Pub Companies And Lessees – Seventh Report of Session 2008-09.
Supporting parents through IPSEA – appeals under the Education Act 1996.
"A very good advocate whose courteous and knowledgeable manner instils confidence in clients. He has gravitas before tribunals."
Chambers & Partners (2015)
"He's noted for his straightforward and extremely persuasive representation of both commercial and public body clients before all types of tribunal. "A calm, organised and measured advocate who has the benefit of many years' practical experience." "He's a polished and very persuasive opponent."
Chambers & Partners (2014)
"The 'vastly experienced' Jeremy Phillips, who is 'utterly reliable, and very good value for money'."
Legal 500 (2013)