Lester Aldridge has been ranked joint 15th in Planning magazine’s list of the highest-rated planning law firms in the country for 2025, alongside top City law firms.
The recognition comes as part of Planning magazine’s annual Planning Law Survey, a comprehensive review of the UK’s leading planning solicitors and barristers, law firms, and councils’ legal departments. The survey draws on recommendations from a wide range of industry professionals, including developers, local authorities, and planning consultants.
This marks a continued rise in recognition for the firm, which was ranked 20th in the 2023 survey.
In addition, Matt Gilks, Partner in the Planning & Environment team at Lester Aldridge, has been individually ranked 11th in the list of the UK’s highest-rated planning solicitors in private practice, marking a significant individual achievement.
Matt Gilks said: “I’m delighted to be recognised in this year’s Planning Law Survey. It’s a reflection of the excellent relationships we’ve built with clients and the increasingly complex work the team undertakes. The legal landscape around planning and environment is evolving quickly, and I’m proud that Lester Aldridge’s Planning, Environment and Infrastructure team continues to be recognised nationally for its expertise and client-focused approach. We would like to thank all our clients and referrers who took the time to complete the survey.”
Matt advises on all aspects of planning and environment law, including planning applications and appeals, enforcement, judicial review, and development consent orders. His experience spans residential, commercial, and heritage developments, as well as minerals and waste, and large-scale infrastructure projects.
The Planning, Environment and Infrastructure team at Lester Aldridge is known for delivering practical, commercially focused advice to developer and landowner clients across a wide variety of sectors. The team is also recommended in the leading legal directories, Chambers and The Legal 500.
Lester Aldridge would like to thank Planning magazine for its work in compiling the annual survey and for continuing to highlight excellence in the planning legal sector.
This latest recognition solidifies the team’s national reputation for quality, insight, and trusted advice in a complex and rapidly evolving area of law.
