Catch-Up
30 Jun 2025
Online
premium

Expert Witness – Giving Evidence at Public Inquiries

Professional Skills

Ideal for those who wish to expand their knowledge or have little experience of the planning appeal process and presenting evidence.

Led by a panel of professionals involved in the process, this session will explore the technicalities of what you might come across and look at the roles of the people you will be working with.

Gain the confidence to know what to prepare for and how to present it.

Suitable for anyone wanting to gain insight from others, increase their confidence, or who is new to this experience.

Speakers

Clare Brockhurst FLI

Clare will lead the Masterclass. Drawing on a career in landscape architecture and landscape planning, specialising in landscape and visual planning matters and the design of strategic Green Infrastructure (GI), Clare has been called as an expert witness on more than 100 occasions and recommended as an expert witness by planning silks across the UK.

Sasha White KC

Sasha will focus on the role of counsel both in the lead up to the inquiry, and the presentation of evidence in chief, cross-examination, and re-examination, and addresses what is needed from the witness to assist with the presentation of the case.

Karin Taylor CMLI

Karin is a chartered town planner and an NSIP examining inspector who will explain the role of the inspector and how the witness best assists the inquiry or examination to support the decision maker. Karin will touch on the differences and similarities between inquiries and examinations.

Jonathan Bellars CMLI

Jonathan is a Landscape Architecture & Urban Design Team Leader who will speak about the challenges of presenting evidence on behalf of the Council from extensive experience first at Aylesbury Vale District Council and now as Buckinghamshire Council team lead.

Kathryn Ventham RTPI

Kathryn is Planning Director at Stantec and an experienced witness. Kathryn will be addressing the relationship between planning evidence and the landscape, and what is needed from this perspective for the planning consultant to undertake a balance.