Peter Mantell-Sayer LL B (Lond) ACIArb

Peter Mantell-Sayer was responsible for introducing some of his colleagues in chambers to the concept of commercial mediation, became a founder Director of Adroit Dispute Resolution Limited and is a panel member of Mediators in East Anglia.

Before being called to the Bar Peter worked for 25 years in the construction industry on overseas projects – mainly in Africa and the Middle East – valued at up to $1.2 billion, including as Directeur d'Assurance Qualité at the French end of the Channel Tunnel Project.

Peter has advised and appeared on behalf of local authorities, leading construction companies, and landowners – including large country estates and pressure groups. He has been approved as counsel for the National Farmers Union.

Work areas have included all aspects of Town and Country Planning:

• Local Plan Inquiries
• Minerals, Planning and Enforcement Appeals
• Certificates of Lawful Use and Proposed Lawful Use appeals
• Tree Preservation Order appeals
• Forestry and Conservation matters and advertisements.

Highways matters have included appeals in respect of Rights of Way Orders for modification, diversion, extinguishment, creation and reclassification.

Other areas of work include farm diversification, Water Abstraction Licence appeals and regulatory offences.  Peter also attends licensing appeals as these are now dealt with at local council offices rather than in the Magistrates courts.

Having previously appeared at public inquiry for landowners in many counties Peter was invited to address the House of Lords Crossbenchers and also invited to submit a paper to the Planning Inspectorate in respect of Access to the Countryside prior to the enactment of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2002.

Interesting Cases

R v Secretary of State for the Environment ex p Patterson - (HC) - Highway diversion

David Phillip Investments Ltd v Secretary of State for the Environment – (HC) - validity of planning permission once commenced

R v Secretary of State for the Environment ex p Andrews – (HC) - duty of Inspector to consider widely drafted proposals for a planning condition

Broads Authority v Secretary of State for the Environment – (HC) - Wording and validity of Certificates of Lawful Use

R v Cambridge County Council ex p Hogan – (CA) - exercise of discretionary power does not remove obligation of statutory duty