Emma Craigie

Whilst undertaking my Training Contract at Thomson Snell & Passmore I have been exposed to a multitude of experiences and opportunities. Despite the turbulence of the past year, I have had more exposure than ever to virtual hearings, conferences (particularly with Counsel), committees and client meetings on a regular basis. So far, I have undertaken two litigious and one non-litigious seat and have had exposure to various matters ranging from high-end residential property transactional work to advanced property and planning disputes. A particular example of a matter which I have recently been involved with were instructions from a high net worth client who wanted us to challenge a decision of the Local Authority Planning Inspector whom, on appeal, had rejected our client’s planning application to extend his business premises and provide on-site residential accommodation. Following various meetings with the client to discuss the best strategy, my supervisor, Counsel and I, agreed to submit a claim in the High Court for permission to apply for Planning Statutory Review under section 288 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Our claim was based on three distinct grounds; one of which the High Court Judge granted permission to proceed to Judicial Review. As a result, and given the strength in our pleadings, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government conceded and agreed to quash the appeal decision of the Planning Inspector and pay our client’s costs. This was, of course, an extremely successful result and a rewarding experience to have been a part of overall. I have no doubt that my training at Thomson Snell & Passmore has equipped me with an abundance of interpersonal and professional skills that will serve me well throughout my career

Graduate Trainee