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We answer your most commonly asked questions about the JPLC...

What is JPLC Oxford?

The Joint Planning Law Conference (JPLC) is set in Oxford and provides a weekend of learning, debate, interaction and networking. Brought to you by a committee from the four professional organising bodies: The Law Society, The Bar Council, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Town Planning Institute, delegates will take away valuable updates and ideas relevant to their daily practice.

The conference is run on a not-for-profit basis, ensuring that you get the most from your conference fee.

When and where is JPLC Oxford?

The conference takes place from the evening of Friday 15th September until late morning on Sunday 17th September. Accommodation and dinners are in New College Oxford which is known for its high-quality catering (some ensuite accommodation is also available at Jowett Walk nearby).

The conference sessions take place in the world-renowned Oxford Union Debating Chamber.

Who will I meet?

You will meet a whole host of professionals at various stages in their planning career. That might mean you’re enjoying a drink with one of our established, key speakers or debating new ideas with someone who has just entered the field.

To give you a clearer idea, most of our attendees will already be members of one of the organising professional bodies and the below companies are among the many that have attended JPLC in previous years.

39 Essex Chambers; 6 Pump Court; Aardvark Planning Law; Aaron & Partners LLP; Addleshaw Goddard LLP; Amos Ellis Consulting Ltd; An Bord Pleanala; Ansons Solicitors; Argent LLP; Ashurst LLP; Bar Council; Battersea Power Station Development Co; Berkeley Group; Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP; Bircham Dyson Bell LLP; Blake Morgan; British Land; British Property Federation; Brooke Smith Planning - An Arcadis Company; BrookStreet des Roches LLP; Brunel Planning; Burges Salmon LLP; Burstow Law Solicitors; CALA Homes Midlands; Carson McDowell LLP; CBRE; Charles Russell Speechlys LLP; Chase and Partners; Cheshire West and Chester Council; City of Westminster; Clarke Willmott LLP; Cleaver Fulton Rankin Ltd; Clyde & Co LLP; CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP; Colliers International; Cornerstone Barristers; Countryside Properties; Cunnane Town Planning; Deacon Crickmay Asset Management; Dechert LLP; Deloitte LLP; Dentons UK and Middle East LLP; Depart. Of the Environment for Northern Ireland (DOENI); DLA Piper UK LLP; DLP Planning; DP9; Dutton Gregory LLP; DWD LLP; East Devon District Council; Edge Planning & Development LLP; Environment Agency; Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP; Exchange Chambers; Forsters LLP; Francis Taylor Building; Gateley Plc; Gerald Eve LLP; Gowling WLG (UK) LLP; Gunnercooke LLP; GVA; Herbert Smith Freehills LLP; Heritage Property Group; HGH Planning; Hogan Lovells International LLP; Homes England; Howard Kennedy LLP; Iceni Projects; Impact Planning Services; Irwin Mitchell LLP; JCL Planning; Kent County Council; King & Wood Mallesons LLP; Kings Chambers; Knights; Landmark Chambers; Law Commission; Law Society; Lexis Nexis UK; Lichfields; Lincolnshire County Council; Linklaters LLP; London Borough of Brent; London Borough of Hillingdon; London Borough of Wandsworth; London Communications Agency; London First; Marc Dorfman Consulting; Marrons Planning; Mauger's Legal Services; MHCLG; Michael Kiely Planning & Regeneration; Mills & Reeve LLP; Minter Ellison; Mishcon de Reya LLP; Montagu Evans LLP; Mott MacDonald; Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners; No5 Chambers; Norton Rose Fulbright LLP; Osborne Clarke LLP; Pemberton Greenish LLP; Pinsent Masons LLP; Pitmans Law; Planning Appeals Commission, NI; Planning Inspectorate; Porta Planning LLP; Quod; Radcliffe Chambers; Red Lion Chambers; Reigate & Banstead Council; Richard Buxton Environmental & Public Law; RICS; Rix and Kay Solicitors LLP; Ropemaker Chambers; Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea; Royal Town Planning Institute; RPS CgMs; Russell-Cooke LLP; Savills; Scottish Government; Shakespeare Martineau; Shoosmiths; Sidley Austin LLP; SLR Consulting; Sustrans; Taylor Wessing LLP; Teignbridge District Council; Temple Bright LLP; Terence O'Rourke; Thomas Eggar LLP; Thomson Reuters; Town Legal LLP; Travers Smith LLP; Trinity Chambers; Tughans Solicitors; Turley; Tyler Grange; University of Oxford Estates Services; Urban&Civic; Vail Williams LLP; Walker Morris LLP; Walton & Co; Wedlake Bell LLP; Welsh Government; West Waddy ADP; Westminster City Council; Winckworth Sherwood LLP; W YG Planning & Environment.

I haven't attended before. Will I know anyone?

Each year we welcome many new faces - the JPLC is designed to be an inclusive and welcoming event. One example of this is our 'welcome' tea for newcomers which kicks off late on Friday afternoon so that you are able to meet members of the committee as well as fellow first-time attendees before the event even begins.

Do I have to be a member of one of the organising professional bodies to attend?

As a general rule, yes, although if you have a keen interest in the area and are not a member of one of the four professional bodies please contact us for clarification via email (lucinda@jplc.org) or phone (07879 228775)

Why should I attend JPLC?

If you work in or have an interest in planning, the JPLC Oxford is a must.

It is a unique event that invites members of the four planning professions to mix over a weekend and discuss key issues they are currently facing as well as those they will face in the future.

The only conference of its kind, the JPLC Oxford has been running for over 50 years and remains the UK’s leading annual planning law conference. The reason it has stood the test of time is that it consistently provides a quality experience. You can always expect inspiring speakers who are leaders in their field, a relevant agenda and an opportunity to network with colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere, that is difficult to find anywhere else.

Immersive and inspiring, some additional highlights include:

  • The outstanding speakers who deliver original, topical research papers
  • A tailored agenda designed for planning professionals at all career stages
  • A multi-disciplinary planning committee who ensure high-quality, relevant content
  • The 50% scholarship scheme for recently-qualified delegates (12 places available- 3 per profession)
  • CPD is available
  • Friendly, informal and quality networking opportunities
  • And of course, an inspiring and beautiful Oxford University setting

What will I take away from JPLC?

The full programme is put together by the committee, who invites the speakers to regular meetings and talk through their unique papers. They are tasked with giving guidance from the point of view of each profession on what is topical in the profession currently. It is a carefully planned and managed event with enough structure to provide you with maximum value for money and enough flex to ensure you have a unique experience year-on-year. You can expect to take away:

  • A comprehensive analysis of key planning issues
  • New ideas and approaches which you can apply to daily practice
  • Views and comment directly from leading professionals and from the likes of Government, the Devolved Administrations, Local Authorities and the Planning Inspectorate
  • Valuable new contacts as well as news from more familiar colleagues and friends
  • Lasting memories and relationships from an enjoyable weekend in a stunning setting

Does the conference qualify for CPD?

Yes - we have increased the number of papers to achieve at least eight hours of technical content for CPD purposes. Take a look at what each organising body has to say:

  • The Law Society - “The conference counts as non-accredited CPD 8-10 hours”
  • The Bar Council - “This event is self-certifying for barristers you need to record your own value for CPD”
  • The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors - “Attending this conference may qualify for CPD (10 hours +). RICS members should evaluate what they have learnt, the benefits gained and the time spent. This can then be registered in the member's online personal development planner www.rics.org
  • The Royal Town Planning Institute - “This event may be acceptable for up to 10 hours of CPD for RTPI members. However, the responsibility for judging the relevance and value of events and other forms of CPD lies with the individual RTPI member”

Is the JPLC for me?

If you’ve read through our FAQs and browsed our website but you’re still not quite sure if JPLC Oxford is the conference for you, we’d be happy to talk to you directly to help guide your decision. Please contact us at lucinda@jplc.org or call on 07879 228775.

Download the 2023 brochure

Download the 2023 brochure

Find out more about the 2023 conference by downloading the brochure in PDF format for more detailed information about the event.

Download

Not sure this conference is the right fit for you?

Take a look through the website to get a flavour of what you can expect. If you are still not sure, please contact us at lucinda@jplc.org or call 07879 228775 and we'll be happy to discuss the event with you and answer any questions.