Peter Cruickshank

Peter Cruickshank has a common law practice, and he regularly appears before different courts and tribunals.

Planning
Peter accepts instructions to represent clients in planning inquiries and in challenges to the merits of planning decisions.

Peter's recent inquiry work includes a two-week planning inquiry as junior counsel for a local planning authority defending an appeal to a refusal for permission for nearly 100 homes, as well as being instructed as sole counsel in a rights of way inquiry. Peter recently gave a presentation alongside Noemi Byrd about the role and status of Rule 6 parties at planning inquiries. See link here.

Peter's recent judicial review work includes successfully represented a Defendant local planning authority where the High Court certified the Claimant's claim as 'totally without merit'; and representing a community group challenging development in their area.

Peter advises and represents clients on planning enforcement matters. 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
Peter has represented Claimants and Defendants in small claims and fast track trials in the county court, and has good experience of drafting Particulars of Claim, Defences and Counterclaims. Peter is also often instructed to attend interim hearings and applications at court, and has good experience of drafting skeleton arguments for such hearings.

Peter's recent work includes:
• contract disputes, including repudiatory breach and rescission,
• landlord and tenant work, including possession and disrepair,
• debt and money claims,
• remedies and relief, including aggravated and exemplary damages, liquidated damages, and declaratory relief;
• costs work, including security for costs.

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

Peter has experience of advising on a range of matters including tree felling, sewerage, and biodiversity. In waste work, Peter was recently instructed alongside another member of Chambers to advise a local waste authority regarding enforcement and prosecution options for an industrial waste dumping operation. In water law, Peter has advised about enforcement options for river pollution, and was instructed to represent a company charged with interference with water infrastructure under the Water Industry Act 1991.

Peter is a member of the Planning and Environment Bar Association, and the co-convenor of the UK Environmental Law Association's Litigation Working Party.

Crime
Peter has also developed a successful criminal practice. In 2024 he secured the acquittal of a prison officer charged with s.18 GBH in a jury trial lasting several weeks, when he was prosecuted by a leading silk and junior. In 2023 secured the acquittal of a Defendant charged with affray after a six day jury trial where the jury convicted the other Defendants, and secured the acquittal of a man charged with s.18 GBH after a four day jury trial. He has been instructed on cases including drugs conspiracy, sexual communications, possession of firearms with intent, dangerous driving, robbery, arson, and inciting racial hatred.

Before coming to the Bar
Before coming to the Bar, Peter spent three years with the United Nations Environment Programme, spent a year supporting the legal editors of The Times newspaper, and also worked as an organiser for a local charity where he grew up.