Claire Dutch

Claire has been described in the legal directories as a “leader in the field of planning”.

She specialises in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious planning law. She helps clients on strategy and policy at the inception of a development scheme, planning applications, environmental impact assessment, planning agreements, the community infrastructure levy and appeals and judicial review.

Claire has advised the public and private sector on some of the country’s most notable and iconic development and infrastructure projects. She has been described in Chambers as an "intellectual heavyweight" and “an excellent legal mind and a brilliant team player”.

Claire has been ranked as a Leading Individual in Chambers UK (Band 1) and Legal 500 for many years. She has featured in The Lawyer’s “Hot 100” and numerous polls of influential people in the planning industry. In Planning Magazine's Legal Surveys in 2021 and 2022, Claire was ranked joint 2nd in the roll call of individual planning solicitors.

She is the Chair of the British Property Federation’s planning committee and a member of the Oxford Joint Planning Law Conference Committee.

Claire was also recognised as the Best Lawyers' "Lawyer of the Year 2022" for her work in Planning in London. This recommendation is based on peer group feedback and only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honoured with a Lawyer of the Year award.

A client comments: "Claire's in-depth knowledge and experience, combined with her amenable style, make working with the Ashurst team a highly rewarding experience."