Specialising in planning, energy, and related environmental law issues, William Orbinson KC spends his time providing success-focused planning advice, and pursuing that focus in local development plan examinations, major project inquiries and hearings, appeals, enforcement appeals, judicial reviews and prosecutions
A Northern Ireland Associate of PEBA: The Specialist Bar Association for Planning, the Environment and Local Government, Mr Orbinson KC has qualified as a Legal Associate of the Royal Town Planning Institute, and is an Affiliate of the Irish Planning Institute
Chair of the Northern Ireland Planning Bar Association, founding member, past Chair and Committee Member of the Environmental and Planning Law Association for Northern Ireland, and Chair of the Planning Appeals Commission Users Group, Mr Orbinson KC taught planning at Queen’s University Belfast, and is a regular speaker at planning and environmental conferences throughout these islands
With more than a quarter of a century’s experience, he combines keen commercial instinct, close analysis, sound judgement, persuasion, and a deep understanding of planning and environmental law and policy to deliver success
Planning, Energy, Environment
Specialism – specialism in planning, energy and related environmental issues
Success - Success-focused strategy, advice, and advocacy
The Importance of Being Local
Local skills, local nous, local clients
Theoretical grasp of how Northern Ireland’s planning system may work, based on what happens in GB, is not enough. Central to William Orbinson KC’s commercial and client-focussed approach is a deep understanding of how local planning policy and guidance are interpreted and applied by our planning authorities, the PAC and the Courts, drawn from his decades of working within the local planning system, evidenced by the many developments in Northern Ireland bearing his fingerprints, and by his numerous publications on the local planning system over those years. Central too is having his finger on the pulse of the local property market, understanding what NI clients expect and need – now and in the years to come – and using local skills and local nous to meet – and surpass – those expectations and needs
Experience, expertise, application
Commercial instinct, commercial understanding, commercial success
More than 25 years’ experience in planning, energy and related environmental issues
Joint Law Society/Bar Council Planning Examination 1998, and Legal Associate of the Royal Town Planning Institute
Deep understanding of domestic and European planning and environmental law
Success-focused strategic vision, expertise, application
Access, experience, knowledge, judgment, persuasion, success
Qualifications, positions and memberships
Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours), Queen’s University Belfast, 1987
Joint Law Society/Bar Council Planning Examination, 1998
Legal Associate, Royal Town Planning Institute, 1998
Called to the Dublin Bar, 2000, and qualified to practise throughout the island of Ireland
Affiliate of the Irish Planning Institute
Northern Ireland Associate of PEBA: The Specialist Bar Association for Planning, the Environment and Local Government
Founding Member, Committee Member and Chair of the Environmental and Planning Law Association for Northern Ireland (EPLANI)
Chair of the Northern Ireland Planning Bar Association
Chair of the Planning Appeals Commission Users Group
Associate of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects
Member of the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (UKELA)
Affiliate of the Mineral Products Association Northern Ireland
Qualified Mediator