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Chris
Slater

Partner

Planning & Environment

Meet Chris's team

A confident problem solver

Chris is a Partner in our Planning & Environment Group. With over 23 years’ experience, Chris deals with a range of planning and environment work and he has advocacy experience at public inquiries on planning appeals.

Chris enjoys working as part of a team, often across different disciplines and finds the variety of what he does both mentally stimulating and intellectually challenging.

Clients come first

A natural and pragmatic problem solver, Chris approaches client work by first seeking to learn about the client’s business and the industry they operate in. “It’s important to see the bigger picture” he says, and he always keeps the commercial factors front of mind, especially when bringing clients up to speed on their case. Chris notes that this approach is also important when it comes to client fees.

Chris knows that keeping on top of the frequent changes to Planning laws and government guidance and policy is paramount, as is staying organised so he can manage client demands and expectations efficiently.

Firm but fair

Describing his working style as approachable and firm but fair, Chris also points out the importance he places on ethics. He takes a commercial and pragmatic view of managing his client’s expectations.

Asked about life at Walker Morris, Chris says, “I think my working style sums up what Walker Morris is all about”.

Chris grew up in Colorado, USA, and moved to the UK to study law at Leeds University.

Insights

“Chris Slater provides excellent advice on points of planning law and legal agreements.”

Legal 500

“Chris is good at dealing with local authorities. He tries to maximise benefits from the work he engages with and has got a nice style. He turns stuff around quickly after meetings, but he’s got the right bedside manner to get where he needs to in order to deal with local authorities. He’s good at telling us when we’re being unrealistic to stop us from wasting time and money. He’s got the confidence of being a specialist.”

“He’s on the non-contentious planning side – section 106 agreements. He has a very strong reputation. For non-contentious conflict I would refer clients to him.”

“He deals with the section 106s. I’ve not worked with him as closely, but he’s extremely efficient – on top of things in terms of delivering info and responding. He seems very organised and is a nice guy.”

“He is very professional and he doesn’t miss anything. He doesn’t look for silly points to take. He is really straight – very, very good.”

Chris's contact details