Public Law
The Chambers Legal Directory has listed Cleaver Fulton Rankin as a leading firm in the area of administrative and public law and the Directory acknowledges our wide ranging practice.
Led by Karen Blair, our public law team advises local government, regulators, professional bodies, listed companies, small and medium enterprises, charities and other public and private bodies on a range of public law issues.
We have a solid understanding of how local government works and how the Courts will apply the law. Our experience in analysing complex factual and legal situations ensures that clients receive the best advice on the possible way forward and the best solution to that particular problem.
We have extensive experience in advising applicants, respondents and notice parties to judicial review proceedings. We have recently represented the Sentence Review Commissioners, the Life Sentence Review Commissioners, the Billy Wright Inquiry, Belfast City Airport, AES Kilroot Power Limited, Glenarm Village Committee and Antrim Borough Council.
We advise public bodies on their evolving powers and duties, providing advice which enables public bodies to protect the public interest and their officers by ensuring decisions are based on sound principles. Where necessary, we effectively defend challenges.
We also advise commercial organisations and individuals on the limits of powers exercised by public bodies and the nature of the duties they are under. We provide timely commercial advice on how best to ensure public bodies act within their powers, including advice on all aspects of judicial review.
CFR also have extensive experience in advising both the public sector and private bodies in respect of the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Act. We have expertise in dealing with information requests, applying exemptions and drafting confidentiality and Freedom of Information clause for public sector contracts.