Every matter overseen personally, first call to resolution
Claim values involved in, from $50,000 up to $50m
Response to enquiries received before 3pm
Acting for applicants, objectors and landowners across the state
Archer Lawyers advises landowners, developers, applicants, objectors and business owners on planning and environment law across New South Wales, before an application is lodged, while it is being assessed, and after a decision has been made.
Most people looking for a planning lawyer have had a decision go against them and are not sure what it means. A refusal. Conditions that make the project unviable. A deferred commencement. A development going up next door. It is all the same question: what are my options, and how long do I have?
Planning is core work here. We act in Class 1 merit appeals in the Land and Environment Court for residential, childcare and non-residential developments across Sydney, and we advise on consent conditions, section 4.55 modification applications, compliance obligations and the planning controls that apply to your land.
We are a lean, hands-on firm. The person advising you is the person running your matter, from first instruction through to resolution.
Often, but not always — and the honest answer turns on the reasons given for refusal, not on how unreasonable the decision feels. Some refusals are best answered by an amended application or a section 4.55 modification. Some are worth a Class 1 merit appeal in the Land and Environment Court. Some are not worth pursuing at all. Send us the notice of determination and we will tell you which of those it is, free of charge. If it is the last one, we will say so.
A short phone or video conversation with our principal. We listen to what has happened, look at any key documents you send through — the determination, the conditions, the assessment report — and give you a clear view of your options and likely next steps, free, and with no obligation to proceed.
Planning is core work here, not something we take on occasionally. How councils assess applications, which reasons for refusal are answerable and which are not, and how the Land and Environment Court approaches merit appeals is familiar ground rather than something to get across at your cost. You also deal directly with the principal running your file, not a rotating team, and because we are selective about what we take on, the matters we do take get senior attention from first call to resolution.
Matthew has built his career across boutique, national and international law firms. He acts in Class 1 merit appeals in the Land and Environment Court for residential, childcare and non-residential developments across Sydney, and advises applicants, objectors and landowners alike. He handles every matter personally, from the first phone call to the last.
An owner was about to lodge an application that exceeded the height and floor space controls, with nothing prepared to justify the variation.
Consent was granted, but on conditions that made the project unviable — fewer units than applied for, and a restriction on operating hours.
A childcare centre application was refused on traffic, acoustic and streetscape grounds after twelve months of assessment.
— Development applications and section 4.55 modification applications, prepared or reviewed before they are lodged
— Refusals: reviewing the reasons given, and advising whether to amend, modify, negotiate or appeal
— Conditions of consent that are onerous, unworkable or wrong, including deferred commencement conditions
— Class 1 merit appeals in the Land and Environment Court, for residential, childcare and non-residential developments
— Objections to a development application, and appearing for objectors at conciliation
— Rezonings, planning proposals, existing use rights, and how an LEP, SEPP or DCP actually applies to your land
— A clear answer on whether a refusal is worth appealing, before you spend money finding out
— Conditions modified or removed, so the project you were approved for is the project you can build
— A properly evidenced case at conciliation or hearing, rather than an argument about fairness
— An early read of the planning controls, so the application you lodge is the one most likely to be approved
Lodging an application, or dealing with a refusal, a deferred commencement or conditions you cannot work with.
Residential, childcare and commercial projects, from lodgement through to a Class 1 appeal.
Rezonings, planning proposals, existing use rights, and compliance or enforcement action.
Opposing a development near you, and being heard properly at conciliation.
Free to start, and you'll know within days whether we can help.
A few details on the form below. We get back to you personally, the same day if we receive it before 3pm.
Free Case ReviewA plain-English conversation about your options. Free, no obligation, and if we don’t think you need a lawyer, we’ll say so.
If we take the matter on, our principal runs it personally through to resolution, not handed off to someone else.
Offices in Parramatta and Sydney, available for a conversation in person.
Phone and video consultations available at a time that works for you.
Tell us briefly what has happened. Our principal will personally review it and respond the same day if we receive it before 3pm. If you have a determination in hand, or an appeal period running, say so and we will prioritise it.
We respond personally. No call centre, no automated queue.
