Peter Cruickshank

Peter specialises in planning and environment work, and civil claims. Peter also accepts instructions in regulatory crime, and he undertakes a range of litigation for local authorities.

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:
- two-week inquiry (junior counsel) for the successful LPA; application for nearly 100 homes; with issues of 5YHLS, heritage, townscape, daylight and sunlight (APP/G5180/W/24/3340223);
- two week inquiry instructed by Rule 6 Party for very large film studios development in Berkshire green belt; called in by SoS; Rule 6 experts on flooding and drainage, and transport safety; and inquiry issues of landscape; economic need and greenbelt (APP/T0355/W/24/3346409);
- sole counsel for stopping up inquiry (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 has also successfully acted for a Defendant LPA in a JR claim where the High Court certified the Claimant's claim as "totally without merit".

Peter advises and represents clients on planning enforcement matters. Peter has recently advised on a s.289 TCPA 1990 appeal to the High Court from the PINS decision to uphold an enforcement notice,  and has prosecuted and defended planning enforcement cases in the courts. 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

Peter has experience of cases of particular complexity and high value. He recently represented a Claimant in a commercial dispute at the Central London County Court before a specialist Circuit Judge. He also recently represented a Defendant company in a multi-track trial lasting several days. 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;
• landlord and tenant work, including possession and disrepair;
• debt and money claims;
• 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.

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'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

Peter has experience of advising on a range of matters including tree felling, sewerage, and biodiversity, including the section 40 duty under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. 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.

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 and Regulatory Crime

Peter has a developed criminal practice.

Peter prosecutes and defends in regulatory crime. Peter was recently instructed by a local authority to prosecute a man charged with offences under the Building Regulations 2010 relating to unsafe and substandard building work, and secured a conviction on all charges after trial.

Peter's general criminal background includes a jury trial of 2024 lasting several weeks, where Peter 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 prosecuted a Defendant for s47 ABH and secured a conviction after a jury trial lasting three days. In 2023 Peter secured the acquittal of a Defendant charged with affray after a six day jury trial where the jury convicted the other Defendants, and Peter secured the acquittal of a man charged with s.18 GBH after a four day jury trial. Peter has been instructed on general criminal 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.