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Douglas Armstrong QC

Douglas Armstrong QC

Chambers UK Directory (2013): Douglas Armstrong QC is a highly respected planning silk with attendant expertise in complementary areas such as environment, property, local government and administrative law. Sources note that he is ''very experienced in planning and public law, and a pleasure to deal with for instructing solicitors.'' (2012): ''Douglas Armstrong QC is approachable, pragmatic and highly effective''. (2011): ''he is acclaimed for his ability to rapidly grasp the intricacies of complex matters.'' (2010): ''...the determined and skilful cross examiner Douglas Armstrong, QC, is always willing to take on complex instructions, even if it's on extremely short notice and he still always manages to be fully prepared.'' Legal 500 (2012): ''Douglas Armstrong QC, is always thorough and well prepared and solid in his written advice and on his feet.'' (2011): An ''absolute expert on planning and environmental law'', ''adept at expressing himself in opinion work and stellar in presenting cases at inquiries or in court.'' (2010): ''Always fully prepared and a determined and skilled cross examiner.'' (2009): ''Douglas Armstrong, QC, can fairly be said to be in the top rank of planning QCs.''

 

Professional Information:

Year of Call: 1990
Year of Silk: 2005
Devil Masters: G.C. Bell, QC; Lord Bannatyne
Qualifications: LL.B (Hons) (1986), University of Aberdeen; Dip.L.P. (1987), University of Aberdeen


Biography:

Douglas Armstrong's principal areas of practice cover Planning, Environmental, Property, Local Government, Administrative, Constitutional and Licensing law.  He has appeared at inquiries, hearings and challenges concerned with a wide range of matters including residential and retail development, landfill/waste, mineral, flooding, roads, infrastructure, compulsory purchase, renewable energy generation proposals, enforcement notices, listed buildings and local plans.  He has represented developers, planning authorities and special interest groups.  Douglas advises on Development Plan policies, large infrastructure (including roads, rail and bridge) proposals and Environmental law issues.  He has appeared in the Court of Session at statutory appeals and judicial review.

Douglas is recognised in Planning magazines's annual survey of planning lawyers as one of the top Queen's Counsel in Scotland.  He advises on major public procurement and competition law issues. Douglas has appeared in relation to numerous licensing matters including a number of recent cases in relation to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Civic Government (Scotland) Act.  He has advised on Licensing policy under the 2005 Act and in relation to taxi licenses.  He has appeared before Licensing Boards.  Douglas has advised on Rating and Valuation matters.  He has advised on Core Path Plans and access rights and has appeared in the Lands Tribunal and the Land Court.  Douglas has advised numerous local authorities and interested parties on Administrative, Local Government and Election law.  Douglas regularly advises on Public Law Matters.  He appears at Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal.  He has also appeared and advised on Regulatory Crime matters. Douglas is a practising member of the English Bar.


Appointments:

  • Vice-Chairman, Terra Firma Chambers, 2008-2012
  • Member of various ad hoc committees of the Faculty of Advocates
  • Committee Member of the Scottish Planning Local Government and Environmental Bar Group


Recent Cases:

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