Rowan Smith

Information about the specialist

Practice Areas

Rowan is a solicitor with over 5 years’ PQE in the Human Rights department at Leigh Day. He specialises in public law. His clients include individuals, campaign groups and NGOs.

He has particular expertise in the field of environmental law, most notably strategic litigation concerning climate change (aviation and road infrastructure), extraction of fossil fuels and the energy sector (including nuclear).

Rowan also brings a strong body of cases concerning the public sector with a focus on anti-austerity challenges, including cuts to local services.

This has given Rowan a good grounding in equality law and the opportunity to work on several cases at the cutting edge of developments in human rights law.

Notable cases include: Friends of the Earth Ltd v SofS for Transport (Heathrow Third Runway & climate change duty); SSWHS v SofS for Transport (Stonehenge Tunnel & heritage impacts); Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants v SofS for the Home Department (Right to Rent & compatibility with Articles 8 & 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights); and SH v Norfolk County Council (Care Charges & the Equality Act).