Holmes & Hills Solicitors’ Planning Law Department has been named as one of the biggest planning law firms in the UK in The Planning Law Survey 2025. Most notably in this year’s rankings, Holmes & Hills has achieved 20th place, the highest position they have held in the list in the last 3 years.
The list, compiled by Planning Resource, singles out the firms with the most planning law solicitors and those planning law teams that are the fastest growing. Holmes & Hills Solicitors has moved up 5 places from 25th in 2024 and 14 places from 34th in 2023. Holmes & Hills sits alongside well-known national practices such as Pinsent Masons, Eversheds Sutherland, Burges Salmon, Shoosmiths and Freeths, all of whom are also named in the top 20 employers of planning law solicitors.
This acknowledgement is a testament to the way Holmes & Hills has established itself as a leading provider of planning law advice and representation, growing its number of specialist planning law solicitors by over 40% since 2023, as well as bolstering the department by building out a growing Compulsory Purchase and Development Consent Division.
Commenting on the results of Planning Magazine’s survey and the identification of Holmes & Hills’ Planning Law Department as the 20th largest team of planning law solicitors in the country, Michael Harman, Head of Holmes & Hills’ Planning Law Department and Partner, said:
“We are very pleased to be recognised by Planning Magazine once again, this time as the 20th largest team of specialist planning law solicitors in the country – our highest position on the list to date. The Department is thriving, and our successful growth is not only to the diligence and dedication of my colleagues but also importantly, our valued and loyal clients who entrust us with dealing with their pressing and important planning law issues on their behalf, for which I and the firm remain extremely thankful.”
This recognition from Planning Resource magazine runs parallel with the continued recognition Holmes & Hills’ Planning Law Department has received from Chambers and Partners UK and the Legal 500 UK, where the Department has been independently ranked as a leading source of expert advice and representation for several years.
As well as recognition for the Department, individual lawyers have also been singled out. Steven Hopkins (Managing Partner), and Jo Lilliott (Senior Solicitor), are recognised as leading experts by Chambers and Partners UK, whilst the Legal 500 highlights the expertise of Steven Hopkins, Michael Harman (Partner), Jo Lilliott and Sarah Hare (Senior Associate).
The Holmes & Hills Planning Law Department is led by Partner Michael Harman, supported by Managing Partner, Steven Hopkins, Senior Associate and s106 specialist Sarah Hare, Senior Solicitor and s106 specialist Jo Lilliott, Associate Ellie Hambling, and Solicitor Millie Cook, as well as Solicitors Catherine Hibbert and Melanie Francis who both specialise in Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and Development Consent Order (DCO) work. Moreover, the team is further supported by trainee solicitors (who rotate seats within the firm every 6 months) and Planning Technician, Lucy Howe.
The Department provides advice and guidance to local planning authorities across the East of England, as well as property developers, businesses, landowners, community action groups and individual property owners nationally. Holmes & Hills’ specialist planning lawyers provide advice and representation covering a broad range of Planning Law advice, namely:
With a strong focus on contentious planning law, the Department is led by two experienced litigators, Steven Hopkins and Michael Harman, enabling the Department to bridge the gap between expert and in-depth knowledge of contentious and non-contentious planning law legislation and case law, and litigation procedure.
Moreover, Holmes & Hills’ growing reputation in Compulsory Purchase Orders and Development Consent Orders led to the formation of a new specialist Division advising homeowners, landowners, developers and businesses whose operating premises are affected by large-scale schemes, as well as local authorities (District, Borough and County councils).
As one of only a small number of firms in the country specialising in the provision of advice to parties affected by large scale, government supported infrastructure projects, the Department advises on substantial transportation schemes and have also been involved in a number of large-scale energy infrastructure projects, as well as this large scale urban regeneration schemes also comprise a material proportion of the Division’s case load.
For more than 15 years Holmes & Hills has delivered the East of England’s largest series of Planning Law Updates, delivering six events across East Anglia every year, to an audience of hundreds of local authority planning personnel, developers, planning consultants, architects, land and property agents, as well as surveyors. These events are free to attend, and more information regarding the 2025 Planning Law Updates is available here: www.holmes-hills.co.uk/events/
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The content of this article is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice. The information given in this article is correct at the date of publication.
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