Claire has a broad range of experience from
working in the public sector. She completed her training contract
in a local authority and went on to become Borough Solicitor and
Monitoring Officer. She then held a senior role at the
Standards Board for England (now Standards for England) as
Principal Legal Adviser. Her expertise includes planning and
highways law, housing and corporate governance as well as extensive
experience of all aspects of the ethical regime for local authority
members.
Claire specialises in providing advice and
assistance to local authorities concerning ethical standards.
Claire carries out investigations on behalf of Monitoring Officers
of local authorities and provides advice to Standards Committees.
She also provides advice and guidance to monitoring officers about
the ethical regime and governance issues.
Claire has extensive experience in presenting
numerous cases to hearings and appeals of both Standards Committees
and Adjudication Panel for England Case Tribunals.
Claire also provides training to officers and
members on a variety of subjects including governance, decision
making, bias and predetermination as well as hearings,
investigations and assessments and has been described as “an
excellent trainer and responds well to interruptions, questions and
debate”.
Claire is a past-service member of the
Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors and is also
undertaking a Masters in Environmental Law.