Peter Cruickshank

Planning

Peter has a busy planning practice advising and representing clients on a range of planning matters.

Peter’s recent inquiry work includes:
• Instructed by an NHS ICB in respect of developer contributions under a s.106;
• Appeal against refusal of lawful development certificate for mixed use of open storage and parking in rural area, Counsel for LPA (APP/M3645/X/24/3357978);
• Film studios development in Berkshire green belt; called in by SoS; instructed by Rule 6 party with experts on flooding and drainage, and transport safety; and inquiry issues of landscape; economic need and greenbelt (APP/T0355/W/24/3346409);
• Tower block scheme in London, junior counsel for the successful LPA; issues of 5YHLS, heritage, townscape, daylight and sunlight (APP/G5180/W/24/3340223);
• Stopping up inquiry for LPA (NATTRAN/SW/S247/5306)

Peter’s recent judicial review work includes a two day hearing in the High Court representing a community group – [2025] EWHC 489 (Admin) – with grounds including the application of the Local Plan, Environmental Impact Assessment, and procedural fairness. The judge said of Peter (at paragraph 204): “He put considerable work into his skilful presentation of the Claimant’s arguments orally and in writing.”

Peter advises and represents clients on planning enforcement matters, prosecuting and defending in the courts at both Magistrates’ and Crown court level. Peter recently successfully prosecuted a Defendant in the Crown Court for an LPA, and also recently represented two defendants in the Magistrates’ Court charged with the s.179 offence.

Peter is the editor, together with William Upton KC, of key chapters of Butterworths Planning Law Service, including the chapters on:
• planning policy,
• the plan making process,
• interpreting planning permissions,
• the meaning of development.

Civil Litigation

Peter has experience of cases of particular complexity and high value. Peter has recently represented:

• a Defendant company in a multi-track trial property dispute lasting several days.
• a Claimant company in a commercial dispute at the Central London County Court before a specialist Circuit Judge,
• a Defendant company in a very high value personal injury claim in the High Court.

As well as civil trials, Peter is often instructed to attend interim hearings and applications, and regularly drafts skeleton arguments for such hearings. Peter is experienced in drafting Particulars of Claim, Defences, and Counterclaims.

Peter’s recent work includes:
• Contract disputes including termination clauses, repudiatory breach and rescission;
• Lease construction and covenants;
• Personal injury and the Defective Premises Act 1972;
• Landlord and tenant work, including possession and disrepair;
• Part II of the LTA 1954 in respect of business tenancies;
• Actions for the tort of passing off and for misrepresentation;
• Defamation
• actions under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977;
• Statutory demand litigation under the Insolvency Act 1986;
• Matters of disclosure and specific disclosure;
• Remedies and relief, including aggravated and exemplary damages, liquidated damages, and declaratory relief;
• Costs work, including security for costs.

Regulatory, Crime and Local Authority

Peter is a member of the Attorney-General’s Regulatory List (C Panel). Peter prosecutes and defends in regulatory crime and appears in civil hearings.

Peter’s recent work includes:
• Peter successfully represented the local authority in a case stated appeal to the High Court – [2025] EWHC 1640 (Admin) – for offences of obstruction of the highway – see link here
• Successful prosecution for serious offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, arising from rats, mice and cockroaches in a restaurant kitchen, as well as failing hygiene practices. Guilty pleas were entered on day 2 of the trial, after Peter presented the Prosecution case on day 1;
• Successful prosecution of a builder for offences under the Building Regulations 2010 relating to unsafe and substandard building work. Peter secured a conviction on all charges after trial;
• Traffic Commissioner public inquiry, representing a company applying for a heavy goods vehicle licence;

Peter’s general criminal background supports Peter’s regulatory work, including a jury trial of 2024 lasting several weeks, where Peter was defending and secured the acquittal of a prison officer charged with s.18 GBH, when he was prosecuted by a leading silk and junior. In 2024 Peter also prosecuted a Defendant for s47 ABH and secured a conviction after a jury trial lasting three days. Peter has also represented defendants and secured acquittals in jury trials for s.18 GBH and affray.

Environment

Environment
Peter is a contributing author to Garner’s Environmental Law, as the editor of Chapter 1A (Regulation, Enforcement and Disputes), Chapter 8A (Control of Hazardous Substances).

Peter’s recent work includes:
• Representing a company prosecuted by the Environment Agency for breaching the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 after trade effluent entered a watercourse causing “significant” harm to local biodiversity – see link here.
• Securing a conviction after prosecuting a Defendant under s.33 of the Environment Protection Act 1990 for waste dumping – see link here.
• Representing a company charged with interference with water infrastructure under the Water Industry Act 1991

Education

Peter read History with a European Language (BA Hons) at University College London and graduated with a First Class degree. Peter spent a Year Abroad at the Universities of Paris IV La Sorbonne and École Normale Supérieure.

Peter completed his Graduate Diploma in Law in 2018. He completed his Bar Professional Training Course in 2019, where he received a “Very Competent” with “Outstanding” grades awarded for all advocacy examinations.

Memberships

• Criminal Bar Association
• Planning and Environment Bar Association
• UK Environmental Law Association
• Environmental Law Foundation

Appointments

• CPS Grade 1 Advocate
• Attorney-General’s Regulatory List of Counsel (C List)

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