Robert Lewis qualified as a solicitor in 1977 before being called to the Bar in 1996. He practises in the fields of planning, environmental, highways, compulsory purchase and general local government law. He has a wide-ranging practice, advising and acting for planning authorities, developers, financial bodies and local residents in relation to planning matters including appearing at planning appeal and other inquiries, in court and the Lands Tribunal. He acts in statutory nuisance and contamination cases, and advises and appears for local authorities and others on compulsory acquisition, highways, local authority governance and public procurement matters. He has considerable experience of judicial review, acting for both claimants and public bodies. Human Rights are also an important aspect of his practice.
Robert is a frequent speaker at legal conferences, both in the UK and abroad, including at seminars organised by the International Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.
He has been named as a recognised expert in his field by many publications including Legal Business, The Legal 500, Chambers’ Guide to the Legal Profession, Guide to Environmental Lawyers Worldwide, and Euromoney.
For nearly 20 years Robert served as a member of the British Property Federation’s Planning Committee and served a term as the Chairman of the European Property Federation’s Environment Committee, based in Brussels. He is former member of the Council of Management of the UK Environmental Law Association and of the editorial board of the journal Environmental Law and Management. He is a member of the Planning and Environmental Bar Association. Robert is also a member of the Planning Working Group of the Country Land and Business Association (formerly the Country Landowners' Association).
Robert Lewis is joint author of the following books: