James Felton Consultant Solicitor

Since qualifying as a solicitor in 2004 I have gained extensive experience in local government having worked in a wide variety of local authorities throughout the country.  My main area of work has been planning law matters at both district and unitary authority level with particular emphasis on:-

• Drafting and negotiating planning agreements to secure a diverse range of obligations;
• Reviewing and where necessary amending existing obligations due to changes in scheme viability;
• Advising on enforcement cases and where necessary drafting notices and conducting associated litigation;
• Advising on general planning law/local government queries including Injunction/Judicial Review proceedings.

Throughout my career in local government I have undertaken a large amount of litigation work in diverse areas from housing to the stopping-up of highways and am happy to advise persons subject to enforcement proceedings by a local authority having previously conducted such proceedings.

I have substantial experience of volume debt recovery/mortgage and rental arrears possession work along with commercial rent arrears recovery and insolvency proceedings too gained both in the public sector and in-house whilst working for a bank prior to entering local government so am fully aware of the need for a cost-effective efficient recovery process. I have also undertaken a great deal of nuisance-based possession proceedings during my time in local government and am happy to accept instructions/advise on such matters for social landlords.

I have a flexible and pragmatic approach to my work and am happy to work with businesses, private individuals and the public sector based on my past experience.