PRACTICE

Civil

Crime

Regulatory

EDUCATION

Eltham College, London

Jesus College, Cambridge

WHAT THE DIRECTORIES SAY

"[Stephen Hockman QC has] the firmest of grips on the tiller when handling his cases” and is "a very pleasant individual to deal with”.
Chambers' Guide to the Legal Profession (2009)

"[Stephen Hockman QC has] an unusually broad practice, encompassing general regulatory work and environmental expertise. He is often seen in the administrative and public law courts, and is, clients say, 'incredible to behold when in action'. He is celebrated for his accomplishments in a number of high-profile contamination and pollution investigations".
Chambers 2010 Guide

[Stephen Hockman QC is] “quick at mastering complex briefs and has an acute perception of the mind of the court”.
Legal 500 Guide

APPOINTMENTS

Queens Counsel

Head of Chambers, 6 Pump Court

Chairman of the Bar, 2006

Deputy High Court Judge

Master of the Bench, Middle Temple

Visiting Professor of Law at the City University

NOTABLE RECENT CASES

Leading the challenge in the House of Lords, based on the European Convention on Human Rights, against the role of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in determining planning cases.

Appearing for the claimant in Marcic v. Thames Water, the leading case on the liability of public authorities for the tort of nuisance.

Appearing for Conoco Philips in relation to the Humber Oil Refinery explosion.

Advising one of the world’s leading oil companies on the regulatory consequences of the Buncefield Terminal explosion.

Advising and representing the defence in relation to charges arising out of fatalities at the workplace, eg railways, construction sites etc.

Appearing for various major industrial concerns in respect of operational requirements imposed by regulators.

Challenging the adverse ecological impact of the grant of planning permission for housing – clarifying when under European law an appropriate environmental assessment is required.

Challenging in the High Court of the British Virgin Islands (on grounds of predetermination) the grant of planning permission for the development of a major new leisure project.

Challenging in the Hong Kong Supreme Court the designation of part of the New Territory for conservation purposes.

Appearing for the successful complainants in the Alton Towers noise nuisance action