Oliver is regularly instructed by local authorities, social landlords and private clients in complex planning, land and housing matters. His work spans planning enforcement, property disputes and housing regulation. He has strong trial advocacy experience across courts and tribunals and is known for producing comprehensive, well-structured advices and persuasive written advocacy. Solicitors have praised his approachable manner and clear advice, noting the confidence and authenticity he brings to court. His advocacy combines precision, persuasion and an intuitive understanding of clients’ needs.

Regulatory and Local Government

Oliver advises and represents local authorities, developers, charities and private individuals in planning and related public law matters. His work includes:

• Green Belt and “grey belt” analysis under the December 2024 NPPF
• planning enforcement and injunctions under s.187B TCPA 1990
• 106 and viability issues
• listed buildings and conservation areas
• statutory appeals and judicial reviews
• certificates of lawfulness and planning conditions

He has published on compulsory acquisition and Green Belt policy (Local Government Lawyer, 2021) and co-presented a webinar series for London boroughs on viability, the General Power of Competence and s.38 agreements.

Recent work includes:

• E v F ([2023] EWHC 2060 (Admin)) — represented a local authority in defending a judicial review challenge concerning planning enforcement. The court commended both advocates for the quality of their written and oral submissions.
• Re S — advised local planning authority on Green Belt and “grey belt” classification under the December 2024 NPPF, and on managing the risk of a prospective appeal.
• Acting for local authorities in planning enforcement and injunction applications under s.187B TCPA 1990.

Planning and Land

Oliver’s land practice complements his planning and housing work, encompassing disputes about ownership, use and boundaries. He advises both private clients and public bodies and drafts pleadings in complex title and registration matters, including:

• easements and rights of way
• restrictive covenants and injunctions
• party wall disputes
• adverse possession and boundary disputes
• proprietary estoppel and co-ownership
• land registration rectification and title investigation

Recent work includes:

• Re M v S — advised on a dispute concerning the position and ownership of a boundary wall, raising issues of adverse possession and potential party wall rights.
• Re U v J — drafted reply and defence to counterclaim relying upon arguments in respect of prescriptive easements, adverse possession and root of title.
• Re B — drafted representations to HM Land Registry on behalf of a freeholder resisting a tenant’s application for adverse possession of adjoining land.

Before joining chambers, Oliver gained practical experience with residential and commercial property matters as a paralegal at a London firm, where he contributed to the third edition of Commercial Property Litigation (Fieldsend & McAndrews).

Property and Social Housing

Oliver appears in the High Court, County Court and First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). His housing practice is broad and includes:

• possession proceedings, including those raising Equality Act and Article 8 issues
• anti-social behaviour injunctions (including exclusion orders) and committal applications
• disrepair and fitness for human habitation claims
• enforcement of tenancy obligations and closure orders
• leasehold disputes (forfeiture, service charges, enfranchisement and right to manage)
• local authority enforcement and appeals concerning Improvement Notices, HMO licensing and financial penalties under the Housing Act 2004
• commercial landlord and tenant matters (dilapidations, 1954 Act renewals and forfeiture)

Local authority and tribunal housing work
Oliver is regularly instructed by local authorities in cases concerning Improvement Notices, HMO licensing and financial penalties under the Housing Act 2004. He appears before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in appeals against enforcement action and penalties, and advises on compliance, evidential issues and costs recovery.

Selected FTT (Property Chamber) decisions:

• HAV/43UF/HNA/2024/0604-0606)— acted for Reigate & Banstead BC in a Housing Act 2004 appeal against a financial penalty; appeal struck out for non-compliance with directions.
• HAV/24UB/HNA & HAV/24UB/HML — acted for Basingstoke & Deane BC in consolidated appeals concerning financial penalties and HMO licensing; the authority’s decisions were upheld.
• CHI/00MW/HIN/2023/00017 — acted for Isle of Wight Council in appeals against Improvement, Emergency Remedial and Hazard Awareness Notices; the Improvement Notice was upheld after variation.

Other examples:

• Representing social landlords in ASB possession proceedings and committal hearings arising from breaches of injunctions.
• Securing injunctions with exclusion zones to protect residents from serious nuisance and harassment.
• Advising on disrepair and fitness claims, including cost recovery and settlement strategy.
• Acting for landlords and tenants in residential and commercial possession proceedings.