Masters of the Bench

After obtaining degrees in architecture and town planning, Charles worked as a town planner in local government for nine years, and also qualified as a chartered surveyor. 

He then qualified as a barrister, and practised at the planning Bar for 26 years.  During that time he appeared in court and at inquiries; latterly he had a mainly advisory practice, and sat as an inspector at inquiries.  He was on the Estates Committee of the Inn for almost 20 years, with a particular interest in ensuring accessibility for disabled people. 

He is the author of Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets (sixth edition, 2023); The Law of Trees, Forests and Hedges (third edition, 2022); and The Control of Outdoor Advertising and Graffiti – and he was awarded a Doctorate by the University of Cambridge for Trees.  He was a visiting professor in the School of Planning at Oxford Brookes University, and currently lectures at the University of Bath and elsewhere. 

Charles was the Chancellor of the Diocese of Worcester from 1998 to 20202, and is author of Changing Churches: a practical guide to the faculty system (June 2016).  He was for many years on the Committee of the Ecclesiastical Law Society, and was trustee and latterly Chairman of the Overseas Bishoprics Fund. 

He has long been involved in planning law reform, and was invited to join the Law Commission to lead its project to simplify planning law in Wales, resulting in the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 and the Planning (Wales) Bill laid before the Senedd in summer 2024. He was elected as a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales in 2023.

Charles is married with two children and two grand-children.  In his spare time, he is learning to play the harp.