Call: 2021; 2007 (Solicitor)
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Dr Michael Bowes has extensive experience in law including: Infrastructure, Energy, Planning, Environmental, Commercial and Competition. In addition, he has considerable experience in Water law and is recognised as an industry expert.
Michael joined Chambers from a long and successful career in private practice. He qualified as a solicitor in 2007. During the previous decade he worked with Eversheds Sutherland LLP and BCLP LLP as a senior regulatory specialist. He led teams in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects to include Development Consent Orders and Transport Works Act Orders.
Previous to this he worked as a lawyer with international organisations (The United Nations, The Council of Europe) private organisations (fund management, private enterprise, private practice). He has also taught Commercial Law at Glasgow University.
Since joining chambers Michael has been instructed on a variety of issues relating to his expertise to include Developments of National Significance, Infrastructure, Water and Planning matters. Commercial advice is often necessary when dealing with such issues and Michael’s experience affords him the opportunity to provide specific advice with the commercial or competition related components to make the advice not only complete but practical for industry, commerce and interested parties.
Michael has six qualifications. He holds several post-graduate degrees including an Ivy League Doctorate in Law. In addition, he holds a Master of Studies from Cambridge University (Judge) and a Master of Laws from Cornell University, where he was top in his year for water law.
He is an English and Scottish qualified solicitor and publishes regularly in legal and academic publications.
He is a qualified CEDR mediator.
Michael prides himself on his approachable disposition and endeavors to enjoy every day with a smile.
Please find Michael's LinkedIn Profile here.
Water Law
Planning and Utilities
Environment
Utilities and Energy
Competition
Commercial
Education
Dr of Law (JSD)
2014 Cornell University
Rotary Scholarship Awarded (Merit Based)
Master of Studies (MSt)
2017 University of Cambridge (Judge)
A+ Dissertation
Master of Laws (LLM)
2009 Cornell University
Top in year Water Law (and others)
5 Distinctions Awarded
Diploma in Scots Law (GDL / DipLP)
2005 University of Glasgow
(Studied simultaneously with – Diploma in English Law (GDL)
Diploma in English Law (GDL)
2005 Nottingham Law School
(Studied simultaneously with – Diploma in Scots Law (GDL / DipLP)
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons)
2004 University of Glasgow
Honours Awarded
(Law Society President – 2 Years)
Publications
Academic Publications
Dr Bowes has an extensive and nationally recognised academic output across utilities regulation, water law, environmental law and planning.
He has produced a substantial suite of authoritative materials for LexisNexis and has updated multiple sections of the Butterworths Planning Encyclopaedia, alongside maintaining a strong peer reviewed publication record in leading journals.
His work is relied upon by practitioners across the United Kingdom and reflects the depth of his expertise.
He is often asked as a guest speaker by a variety of legal, commercial and academic institutions.
Below are publications for 2025/2026 – a full list of publications can be provided on request.
LexisNexis Academic Publications (Utilities and Water) 2025/2026
Environmental permitting: flood risk activities
Flood management and drainage: flood defences
Flood management and drainage: internal drainage boards
Flood management and drainage: landowner rights and responsibilities
Flood reinsurance: the Flood Re scheme
Flooding: flood risk and development
Flooding: issues in banking and finance
Flooding: issues in corporate (private M&A) transactions
Flooding: issues in property transactions
Land Drainage Act 1991: snapshot
Reservoir registration
Trade effluent consents and agreements: applications
Trade effluent consents and agreements: compliance
Trade effluent consents and agreements: when are they required?
Butterworths Planning Encyclopaedia (Planning and Infrastructure) 2025/2026
Section 2 – The Power to Commence Enforcement Action
Section 5 – The Enforcement Report
Section 13 – The Secretary of State’s Powers on Appeal
Section 17 – Crown Land
Section 19 – Certificates of Lawful Use or Development
LexisNexis Specialist Articles 2025/2026
Commentary on the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025: Policy Statement
Review of the water sector: Independent Water Commission Final Report
The reservoir safety reform programme
Notable Publications
Without listing all publications, it should be noted that both Dr Bowes’ doctorate from Cornell and his Master’s degree from Cambridge were published in academic journals:
A Historical Review and Current Analysis of Private Water Provision in England (Utilities Law Review, 2018) (Doctorate)
Sustainability in the English Water Industry – Part I (Journal of Water Law, 2017) (Master’s)
Sustainability in the English Water Industry – Part II (Journal of Water Law, 2017) (Master’s)
Cross Discipline
Dr Bowes also publishes across industries and disciplines. One article of note is:
Long Term Thinking in Organisations (Vision: The Journal of Business Perspective, 2017), which incorporated law with various other business sectors.
(Created by a mixed discipline team / Cambridge University).
Memberships
CEDR Qualified Mediator
English Qualified Solicitor (NP)
Scottish Qualified Solicitor (NP)
The Journal of Water Law Book Review Editor
UKELA
PEBA
Middle Temple
Latest news
25th November 2025
Dorchester Court Inquiry Returns
The inquiry into plans for Dorchester Court resumes 26-28 November. Residents continue their fight to protect this Grade II-listed Art Deco estate. For more...
22nd October 2025
Development of National Significance – Success | Dr Michael Bowes & Megan Thomas KC
The Welsh Ministers have upheld Inspector Melissa Hall’s recommendation and refused RWE Renewables UK’s Development of National Significance (DNS) application (Ref: DNS/3279787) for a...
9th October 2025
Legal Experts to Unpack Water Sector Reform Following Independent Water Commission’s Final Report
15 October 2025 | 12:00 – 13:00 | Zoom Join leading legal minds Dr Michael Bowes (Barrister), Clive Mottram, Weightmans (Legal 500 Hall of...
3rd October 2025
Expert Guest Lecturer: UCL MBA in Major Infrastructure.
Dr Michael Bowes has been asked to provide the first lecture to the new cohort of MBA students in Major Infrastructure Delivery. The course...
20th August 2025
The Water Industry Group Summary and Analysis of the Report of the Independent Water Commission
The Independent Water Commission’s Final Report presents an ambitious and wide-ranging blueprint for reform of the water industry, covering supply, pollution, legislation, regulation, company...
8th July 2025
Development of National Significance
Michael Bowes represented FOGL opposing a Development of National Significance (DNS) hearing concerning a proposed solar energy development in the Gwent Levels. The proposal,...
4th July 2025
Summary and analysis of the Independent Water Commissions Interim Report
Six Pump Court Water Industry Law Group releases major analysis of new Water Commission Report The Independent Water Commission (chaired by Sir John Cunliffe)...
23rd June 2025
Dr Michael Bowes successfully represents claimant in foreign exchange loan recovery.
Dr Michael Bowes has successfully represented a claimant in proceedings before the Hastings County Court arising from the recovery of a loan made through...
26th March 2025
Development of National Significance
Michael Bowes is representing ‘STOP Craig Y Perthi’ an opposition group at a Development of National Significance (DNS) hearing concerning a proposed solar energy...
20th March 2025
6 Pump Court welcomes three new tenants
We are very pleased to welcome Dr Michael Bowes who now join Chambers following the successful completion of his pupillage. We are also delighted...
