James Lofting Email & Phone Number

James has practiced as a planning and environment lawyer in Victoria since 2004. He appears regularly at VCAT and PPV on behalf of developers and local authorities. He assists and advises developers in relation to the full spectrum of issues associated with the planning approvals and land development process. He also represents and advises Municipal Council's on planning and environment issues including planning prosecutions and applications for enforcement orders. Key areas of practice include: Land Development• Assisting and advising developers in relation to: • the planning approvals and land development process;• planning scheme amendments;• developer contributions;• due diligences; • section 173 agreements; • Commonwealth and State native vegetation; • restrictive covenants; • cultural heritage; • liquor licencing; and• obligations and liabilities relating to contaminated land and remediation. Local Government• Representing and advising a number of Municipal Council’s in relation to:• planning and environmental issues; • Planning Scheme amendments;• governance;• planning prosecutions; and• applications for enforcement orders. Advocacy• Appearing on a weekly basis at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in both hearings and mediations. • Regular appearances at Panels Victoria, the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Building Appeals Board and various Melbourne Metropolitan Magistrates Court’s. • Appearances on behalf of developer clients, local government and third party/objectors.Third party/Objector• Preparing enforcement order applications, advising on and preparing applications to remove/vary restrictive covenants. • Representation and advice in relation to building disputes and appearances at the Building Appeals Board.Land Acquisition• Providing advice in relation to compulsory acquisitions and process. • Acting for claimants in relation to compensation claims, including Supreme Court proceedings.

Listed skills include Local Government, Urban Planning, Environmental Law, Due Diligence, and 9 others.