Claire Dutch is the head of our UK real estate practice and co-head of our planning and environmental team
Claire has been described in the legal directories as a “leader in the field of planning” and an "exceptional talent".
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 is ranked as a Leading Individual in Chambers UK (Band 1) and in the Hall of Fame in the Legal 500. She has featured in The Lawyer’s “Hot 100” and numerous polls of influential people in the planning industry. In Planning Magazine's annual Legal Survey, she has been ranked in the top 3 individual planning solicitors for the last 3 years.
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."