Róisín Finnegan

Planning

Róisín undertakes a range of planning work and is instructed by parties at all stages of the planning process. She represents parties in planning Hearings, Inquiries, and in the Magistrates’ Court for planning enforcement matters.

She also has experience of statutory and judicial review, including appeals against inspectors’ costs decisions, conservation and heritage issues, Tree Preservation Orders, interpretation of Section 70C TCPA 1990, and general challenges to the grant of planning permission covering a range of issues.

Recent instructions include:

• Acting as sole counsel for a local planning authority in a judicial review concerning the interpretation of planning policy in connection with the grant of planning permission for a residential extension.
• Appearing as sole counsel on behalf of a local planning authority in a planning enforcement Inquiry in respect of four enforcement notices brought under section 174(a), (b), (d), (e) and (f), engaging Green Belt considerations and issues of historic use.
• Appearing as sole counsel on behalf of a local planning authority in a planning enforcement Inquiry brought under section 174(b) and (d). The appeal was dismissed and the local planning authority was awarded costs.
• Acting for local planning authorities in Hearings concerning certificates of lawful development and use.
• Advising a local planning authority on grounds for challenging an Inspector’s appeal and costs decision in a case concerning prior approval for the conversion of an office building into 54 flats.

Her advice is frequently sought on a variety of planning issues, including merits of planning appeals, certificates of lawful development and use, enforcement, local authorities’ obligations in respect of their planning registers, status of planning permission, and CIL liability.

At the start of her tenancy, Róisín undertook a secondment with the London Borough of Hackney’s Planning Team. Here she undertook a range of work, including negotiating and drafting section 106 agreements and deeds of variation, and providing legal advice.

Róisín participates in Chambers’ quarterly planning updates where she speaks on recent developments in planning law. Róisín also writes about developments in planning law, which have been published in Chambers’ Environmental Law Blog and more widely in Singlelaw Environmental Law Monthly.

Environment

Róisín accepts instructions in all areas of environmental law, including climate, air quality, nuisance, water, habitats and waste.

Recent instructions include:

• Advising a group of local residents, instructed by ELF, regarding environmental issues arising from road traffic use on a historic lane in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• Successfully representing an animal sanctuary for an alleged breach of a noise abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Róisín made a submission of no case to answer at the close of the prosecution’s case and the case was dismissed against the animal sanctuary. Press coverage here: https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/news/massive-relief-as-court-throws-out-animal-sanctuary-noise-337618/
• Acting for a local authority in an appeal against a noise abatement notice brought by a company.
• Acting for a local authority in a prosecution brought under sections 210(1) and 211(4) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which alleges the unlawful destruction of at least 30 trees in a Conservation Area.
• Assisting Nick Ostrowski to prepare an appeal to Ofwat under section 122(1)(a) of the Water Industry Act 1991brought by a company against the refusal of a water company to grant consent to discharge trade effluent into the water company’s foul sewer.
• Acting on behalf of local planning authorities in challenges made to Tree Preservation Orders, both in an advisory capacity, and in the pre-action and summary grounds of resistance stages of judicial review.
• Acting on behalf of local authorities in fly tipping prosecutions.
• Advising a group of residents regarding the ownership of tunnels constructed beneath their homes during WWII pursuant to the Official Secrets Act 1939 and environmental issues related to their excavation.
• Assisting Mark Watson KC to advise a large water company on drought issues.
• Assisting Nick Ostrowski to advise in a case concerning various water issues, including nuisance, riparian rights and the doctrine of accretion.

During pupillage, Róisín assisted her supervisor, Christopher Badger, with:

• Drafting and research in connection with landmark climate change case ClientEarth, Good Law Project and Friends of the Earth (No 2) v Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero [2024] EWHC 995 (Admin).
• Drafting a defence to a public nuisance claim against a water company.
• Research in connection with defences under the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulations 2007.
• Research concerning the right of amenity to swim in the sea which considered issues of public nuisance and special damage.
• Drafting a response to a request for disclosure pursuant to the duty of candour and the Environmental Information Regulations.

Other work during her pupillage included:

• Drafting an advice for Richard Banwell on whether there was sufficient evidence to prosecute under the Control of Major Accident Regulations (“COMAH”) Regulations 2015.
• Drafting an advice for Nick Ostrowski on what causes of action could be brought against a water company taking into consideration Marcic and the Dobson.

Other work:

• Róisín is a member of UKELA’s Climate Change and Energy Group and was the ‘Key contributor’ to their response to the Government consultation on draft supplementary EIA guidance for assessing the effects of scope 3 emissions from offshore oil and gas projects (January 2025).
• Before pupillage, Róisín worked with the Centre for Climate Engagement at the University of Cambridge. She helped to build and acted as an Editor of the Centre’s Law & Climate Atlas – a resource which highlights the intersection between climate change and different legal areas. Whilst working with the Centre, she also researched the duties of directors, asset managers and other professionals in respect of climate change in contribution to its policy outputs.

Róisín has organised and spoken at a range of events on recent developments in environmental and climate change law, including:

• Panellist on the Careers in Environmental Law event organised by the Centre for Climate Engagement and Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge (March 2026).
• Panellist on the topic of Environmental Regulation in the Era of Climate Change at the Annual Wolfson College Law Society & Alumni Event, University of Cambridge, (February 2026).
• Chair and organiser of UKELA event “Air pollution and public health: Next steps for UK air quality law” (September 2025).
• Panellist on the topic of International Law and Human Rights (Inclusive of Climate Change Litigation under the ECHR) session at the annual Wolfson College Law Society & Alumni Event, University of Cambridge (Feb 2024).
• Panellist at the “Law for climate action: Using legal levers to address climate change” event as part of the Cambridge Net Zero Festival (October 2022).

Róisín also writes on a range of environmental law issues. She is the Editor of Garner’s Environmental Law Air Quality Law Chapter, has contributed to UKELA’s elaw on the topic of air quality law, regularly writes blogs for Chambers’ Environmental Law Blog and contributed to the Water Law Group’s reviews of the Cunliffe Report.

Public Law

Róisín is developing a broad public law practice and welcomes instructions in all areas of public law. She is frequently instructed to advise and represent public bodies in this area, and welcomes instructions from private clients. Her experience spans planning, environment, equality and human rights, benefits law, and police law. She is a member of the Attorney General’s “Junior Junior” Panel Scheme and is regularly instructed across a range of government departments.

Recent instructions include:

• Acting as sole counsel for a local planning authority in a judicial review concerning the interpretation of planning policy in connection with the grant of planning permission for a residential extension.
• Led by Colin Thomann KC to draft a master defence to a large immigration claim on behalf of the GLD, to be followed by other counsel in drafting defences to individual claims.
• Representing a police force in resisting four claims for judicial review in connection with a stalking protection order and investigations into stalking offences.
• Led by Mark Beard, advising a local authority on information rights and disclosure obligations in connection with a settlement agreement between the local authority and a commercial entity, and requests for information from other Councillors.
• Led by Mark Beard, representing a local authority in a judicial review concerning benefits and the Equality Act 2010.
• Representing a local authority in resisting two claims for judicial review in connection with a Traffic Regulation Order and the Equality Act 2010.
• Representing a local authority in resisting a claim for judicial review concerning a planning contravention notice and tree preservation order.
• Representing a local authority in a multi-track claim alleging breaches of the Equality Act 2010 and Public Sector Equality Duty in connection with possession proceedings brought by another party.
• Assisting to prepare an application for a Restriction of Proceedings Order on behalf of the Attorney General’s Office.
• Drafting defences and witness statements for the GLD in a range of immigration and Parole Board matters.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Róisín worked as a paralegal at specialist immigration law firm, Wesley Gryk LLP. She also worked as a caseworker at the AIRE Centre where she assisted to prepare third party interventions in asylum and immigration law cases before the European Court of Human Rights.

Crime

Róisín appears regularly in the Crown, Magistrates’ and Youth Courts, and has appeared unled in the Court of Appeal. She is a Grade 1 CPS Prosecutor and accepts both prosecution and defence work. She particularly welcomes instructions in cases which may engage issues of human trafficking or modern slavery, having worked in this area at the AIRE Centre prior to coming to the bar.

Recent instructions include acting on behalf of the RSPCA in animal welfare matters concerning the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Notable cases include:

• R v G (Portsmouth Crown Court) (2026): Róisín secured the acquittal of her client charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs in a County Lines prosecution. The prosecution sought to link the defendant to the drugs line through 2 previous convictions for class A drug supply, and communications data, including with co-defendants who had already pleaded guilty, and runners for the drugs line. Through a forensic review of the evidential material, Róisín demonstrated that the prosecution’s interpretation of the communications did not accurately reflect her client’s role when considered within the broader context of the alleged operation and her client’s admitted cannabis dealing.
• R v Sladden (Court of Appeal, Criminal Division) (2025): Róisín successfully resisted an application by the Attorney General for leave to refer a sentence to the Court of Appeal which he regarded as unduly lenient. Róisín appeared for the Offender in the Crown Court where following a Goodyear Indication, he pleaded guilty to an offence of controlling and coercive behaviour. At the Court of Appeal, Róisín appeared against Treasury Counsel.
• R v Eihmanis (Lewes Crown Court) (2025): Róisín successfully prosecuted this trial concerning one count of ABH where the prosecution relied upon on the doctrine of joint criminal enterprise.
• R v ML (Maidstone Magistrates’ Court) (2025): Róisín represented a vulnerable youth who suffered with his mental health over several months. ML was charged with two counts of attempted robbery, which included the use of a weapon, and two counts of assault by beating. The events were captured on CCTV. Following guilty pleas, the Court was persuaded to take an exceptional course of action and impose a conditional discharge.
• R v AE (Maidstone Crown Court) (2024): Róisín represented AE who was charged with breaching a non-molestation order. The defence of reasonable excuse was successfully invoked to secure AE’s acquittal.
• R v TB (Medway Magistrates’ Court) (2024): Róisín secured the acquittal of TB who had been charged with a public order offence contrary to section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986. At the time of the incident, TB was working as a nightclub bouncer. CCTV showed TB striking a man on the head who was on the ground with his back turned to the defendant. TB believed that the man, who had been physically aggressive earlier in the evening, was searching for a knife and feared for his own safety and that of others. Self-defence was successfully relied upon on the basis that the force used was necessary and reasonable in the circumstances.
• R v KR (Medway Magistrates’ Court) (2024): Secured the acquittal of KR who had been charged with five counts of assault, each involving a different complainant, all of whom were employees at the care home she managed. The complainants alleged that the defendant had consumed alcohol and physically assaulted them during a shift at the care home. Following a two-day trial, the Magistrates’ acquitted KR of each count because of inconsistencies revealed during Róisín’s cross-examination.
• R v KM (Maidstone Magistrates’ Court) (2024): Róisín had proceedings stayed as an abuse of process. A simple caution had been issued for the offences charged, however, the Prosecution subsequently sought to prosecute KM for the offences. Róisín argued that a stay was necessary to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system owing to the principle against sequential trials; and because the defendant had acted on an unequivocal assurance that he would not be prosecuted to his disadvantage. She also highlighted that KM was only 16 years old when the offences were committed and therefore the principal aims of the youth justice system were engaged.
• R v CN (Canterbury Crown Court) (2024): Prosecuted a sentencing hearing where a restriction order was imposed under section 41 of the Mental Health Act 1983. As part of the hearing, Róisín called a medical expert to give evidence regarding why a restriction order was appropriate in circumstances.

Róisín spent four months of pupillage with Nina Ellin KC where she assisted Nina with a range of cases, including R v Sakalauskas [2023] (joint enterprise murder), and R v Ahmed [2023] (16 count indictment including counts of rape, child abduction, and attempt to supply Class A drugs). Also during pupillage, Róisín assisted Mark Watson KC with the charging advice for the high profile case of  R v Nerys Lloyd which concerned a charge of gross negligence manslaughter resulting from the death of four paddleboarders (reported here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ce8grejd7gdt ).

Regulatory / Professional Disciplinary

Róisín welcomes instructions in regulatory and professional disciplinary law.

Recent instructions include:

• Led by Gordon Menzies, representing a local authority in prosecutions for gross negligence manslaughter, breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Food Information Regulations 2014, and Food Safety Act 1990.
• Led by Pascal Bates, representing a local authority in prosecuting a company for breaches of section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
• Acting on behalf of DVSA in driver conduct matters, including fraud.
• Acting on behalf of LGV licence holders before the Traffic Commissioner.
• Acting on behalf of HGV drivers and companies in appeals against Civil Penalty Notices issued pursuant to Section 35A of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999.
• Prosecuting 14 food safety offences on behalf of a local authority in relation to a food takeaway business.
• Acting as a Case Presenter for the Nursing and Midwifery Council in a range of professional disciplinary cases.
• Acting for a taxi driver in his licencing appeal against TfL.

Public Inquiries

Róisín welcomes instructions in public inquiries.

Previous instructions include:

• Acting as Counsel to the Department of Health and Social Care (led by Rachel Senior) for Module 6 of the Covid-19 Inquiry which examined the impact of the pandemic on the publicly and privately funded care sector in England.
• Acting as Counsel to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (led by Jonathan Dixey and Lucy Plumpton) for Module 4 of the Covid-19 Inquiry which examined vaccines and therapeutics.

Róisín participated in Chambers’ mock inquest event and welcomes instructions in this area.

General Civil Law

Róisín accepts instructions across the breadth of civil law.

Her experience includes:

• Advising a client on merits of a claim in defamation, harassment and breach of contract arising out of a barrage of inflammatory social media posts following a breakdown in communications at the workplace.
• Applying for Stalking Protection Orders, Sexual Risk Orders, and Closure Orders on behalf of Kent Police. She also has experience of defending stalking protection orders against the Metropolitan Police.
• Housing, including landlord and tenant law, possession hearings, charging orders.
• Winding up petitions.
• Road traffic accident claims.
• Acting for parties in mediation.

Information Law

Róisín accepts instructions in information law. Róisín studied Law and Information during her LLM and is therefore familiar with the UKGDPR, defamation law, misuse of private information and the law of confidentiality.

Previous instructions include:

• Led by Mark Beard, advising a local authority on information rights and disclosure obligations in connection with a settlement agreement between the local authority and a commercial entity, and requests for information from other Councillors.
• Advising a local authority on various data protection law issues in connection with a subject access request.
• Advising a local authority on issues relating to the right to erasure under Article 17 UKGDPR and how this intersects with their obligations to maintain a planning register under The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.

Advising a client on the merits of a claim in defamation, harassment and breach of contract arising out of a barrage of inflammatory social media posts following a breakdown in communications at the workplace.

Human Rights

Róisín welcomes instructions in human rights law.

During her pupillage, she assisted Stephen Hockman KC with research concerning Article 6 ECHR and delays in proceedings which formed the basis of a letter to the Court, persuading the judge to pass judgment without further delay.

Róisín gained considerable experience of human rights law prior to coming to the Bar.

While working with Amnesty International, she worked on the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, and Abortion campaigns. She also worked at the AIRE Centre as a caseworker where she helped to prepare third party interventions in cases before the European Court of Human Rights; published case comments in the Western Balkans Judicial Bulletin; drafted research papers; and designed a vulnerability training program for professionals working with asylum seekers across Europe.

While undertaking her LLM, she helped the Cambridge Pro Bono Project to advise the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on a live case concerning women’s reproductive rights. This built on her experience as a research assistant to Dr Donna Lyons at Trinity College Dublin where she explored the relationship between Covid-19 and international human rights law frameworks.

Education

LLB, Trinity College Dublin (First Class) (2020)

LLM in International Law, University of Cambridge (First Class) (2022)

Bar Training Course, Inns of Court College of Advocacy (2023)

Awards

Hugh Bevan Prize, Wolfson College, University of Cambridge (awarded for the most distinguished performance in the LLM by a Wolfson Student)

Outstanding Graduate Letter – Cross-Examination, Inns of Court College of Advocacy (awarded for receiving the highest mark out of 80 students in the Cross-Examination module)

Astbury Bar Course Scholarship, Middle Temple

Harmsworth Entrance Exhibition, Middle Temple

Lectures and Speaking Events

• Panellist on the Careers in Environmental Law event organised by the Centre for Climate Engagement and Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge (March 2026).
• Panellist on the topic of Environmental Regulation in the Era of Climate Change at the Annual Wolfson College Law Society & Alumni Event, University of Cambridge, (February 2026).
• Chair and organiser of UKELA event “Air pollution and public health: Next steps for UK air quality law” (September 2025).
• Panellist on the topic of International Law and Human Rights (Inclusive of Climate Change Litigation under the ECHR) session at the annual Wolfson College Law Society & Alumni Event, University of Cambridge (Feb 2024).
• Panellist at the “Law for climate action: Using legal levers to address climate change” event as part of the Cambridge Net Zero Festival (October 2022).
• Guest lecturer at London South Bank University: delivered two guest lectures on Ireland’s Asylum System for an MSc course, ‘Asylum Policy in the EU and Member States’ (25th Nov 2020 and 24th Nov 2021).

Memberships

UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA)

London Irish Lawyers Association (LILA)

Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA)

Legal Voices for the Future.

International Court for the Environment Coalition.

Middle Temple

Róisín is also a Trustee of the Metta Theatre.

Publications

Róisín is the Editor of Garner’s Environmental Law Air Quality Law Chapter (2025).

Róisín Finnegan and Anastasia Kantzelis, ‘Air Pollution and Public Health: Legal Challenges and Opportunities in the UK’ (December 2024) UKELA elaw

Is it better to lose some control? The stance of the Irish courts and legislature on closely-held companies and whether ‘control’ will justify piercing the corporate veil (Irish Law Times, 29 Oct 2021)

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