Planning and Land

Oliver acts for local authorities, landowners, developers, social landlords and private clients in planning, land and property-related disputes. His practice focuses on cases concerning the use, development, ownership and regulation of land, particularly where planning, property, public law and local government powers intersect.

His written and oral submissions were praised by the High Court in judicial review proceedings. Solicitors value his advice for its clarity, practicality and level of detail. His advocacy is structured and responsive, and he is robust where required while remaining pragmatic and constructive where that best serves the client’s interests.

His planning work includes enforcement, breach of condition notices, planning injunctions, planning appeals, highways, CIL, section 106 obligations, tree preservation orders and lawful development issues. His land work includes disputes concerning easements, restrictive covenants, adverse possession, boundaries, co-ownership and title issues.

Recent work includes:

Enterprise Hangars Ltd v Fareham Borough Council [2023] EWHC 2060 (Admin): appeared for Fareham Borough Council in judicial review proceedings concerning the interaction between the Council’s functions as local planning authority and landowner.

Appeared for a local planning authority in a planning appeal concerning the proposed change of use of a vacant bank to an adult gaming centre.

Advised a local planning authority on Green Belt and “grey belt” issues under the NPPF in connection with a proposed battery energy storage system.

Advised on Community Infrastructure Levy issues in connection with a proposed 250-home residential development.

Advised in Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) proceedings concerning a claim for damages arising from a tree preservation order.

Advised local authorities on highways enforcement, including alleged encroachments and obstructions.

Regulatory and Local Government

Oliver is instructed by local authorities and private clients in public law, local government and civil disputes, particularly where they overlap with planning, land, housing or property matters.

He advises on local authority powers, enforcement decisions, statutory duties, public law challenges, contractual disputes, settlement obligations and recovery of public funds. His work often involves identifying practical, defensible routes through legally and factually difficult disputes.

Recent work includes:

Advising and appearing for a London local authority in contract dispute proceedings valued at approximately £1.5 million.

Advising a local authority on a proposed unjust enrichment claim for recovery of public funds, including failure of basis, limitation and pleading strategy.

Advising and acting in claims concerning alleged breaches of section 106 agreements.

Acting in disputes involving alleged breaches of Tomlin orders and related settlement obligations.

Advising local authorities on enforcement strategy, evidential requirements and litigation risk.

Property and Social Housing

Oliver appears in the High Court, County Court and First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in property, housing and landlord and tenant disputes.

His work includes possession proceedings, anti-social behaviour injunctions, committals, disrepair, leasehold disputes, forfeiture, service charges, commercial landlord and tenant matters, contested s.204 Housing Act 1996 appeals and housing standards enforcement.

He is regularly instructed by local authorities in housing standards and enforcement work, including Improvement Notices, HMO licensing and financial penalties under the Housing Act 2004. He also acts for social landlords in cases involving the Equality Act 2010, Article 8 and public law issues.

Publications and speaking

Oliver speaks and writes on planning, property, housing regulation and local government matters.

Recent and forthcoming work includes:

Speaking at the Tenancy Fraud Forum in Kensington on behalf of Chambers’ Housing team.

Co-presenting a webinar series for London boroughs on viability, the General Power of Competence and section 38 agreements.

Author of an article on compulsory acquisition and Green Belt policy in Local Government Lawyer.

Contributor to the third edition of Commercial Property Litigation by Fieldsend and McAndrews.