‘The pre-eminent environmental set', 39 Essex Chambers 'has strength in depth and carries specialists in many areas of environmental law’. Environmental law is a major component of the set’s work, along with planning matters, and among its members are some of the leading practitioners in this area. Five members, including James Strachan QC and up-and-coming junior Rose Grogan, are involved in a challenge to the decision to grant consent for a tunnel under Stonehenge. Stephen Tromans QC is a leading light in matters relating to waste, nuclear energy, reservoir safety and nuisance claims, while Nigel Pleming QC has more than 30 years’ experience in environmental cases, including matters arising from the expansion of Heathrow Airport. Among the newer silks, Richard Wald QC recently acted for one of the UK’s largest minerals extraction companies in an appeal against a refusal to permit the construction of additional silt lagoons for processing extracted aggregates. Juan Lopez, who joined from Francis Taylor Building, is emerging as a force in matters concerning climate change, flood alleviation, coastal defence schemes and ecology.
Environment in London Bar
39 Essex Chambers
Testimonials
Set
‘Chambers is certainly up there with the very best, offering real depth in planning and environment work from the brilliance of its most senior silks to their new intake. They would always be in my top three for advising clients on who to appoint.’
‘Chambers’ strengths are in the broad range of barristers available to cover our areas of practice – environment, planning, highway and local government law.’
‘This set is the pre-eminent environmental set in my view. They now have strength in depth and carry specialists in many areas of environmental law. My go to set for environmental issues.’
‘Brilliant. Always responsive. Always willing to collaborate and to sound out issues to.’
‘They are brilliant and probably my favourite construction set – just because they have so much choice, so much knowledge and the set really gels in every single part from reception to the clerks to the members.’
Clerks
‘Always professional, approachable and responsive.’
‘Clerks are excellent, user-friendly and responsive. They are true participants in the commercial endeavours of this set. First-rate service!’
‘I have found Andrew Poyser easily approachable, friendly and knowledgeable, and eager to help.’
‘The clerks’ room is very helpful. They are quick to respond and really considerate of who the right person for the work is, factoring in expertise, availability and suitable seniority. Andrew Poyser is the clerk that I would ordinarily contact. He is very efficient, which is exactly what I am looking for when I instruct counsel.’
‘Andrew Poyser is a star. I can have an open commercial discussion and he makes their service fit – brilliant.’
Francis Taylor Building
Acting for major corporates, developers, statutory regulators, environmental action groups and individuals, Francis Taylor Building is a highly regarded planning set with a strong contingent of members handling cases involving environmental regulation and land use planning, as well as common law and criminal environmental liability. Robert McCracken QC has brought several challenges to grants of planning permission and adoption of air quality policies based on European air quality directives. Members frequently member appear against each other, as is the case with the high-profile Drax power station litigation, in which Gregory Jones QC is leading rising star Merrow Golden for claimant ClientEarth, with prominent junior Ned Westaway appearing for the Secretary of State. New silk Richard Honey QC is acting for the defendant Secretary of State in a judicial review of the design of the new UK emissions trading scheme.
Testimonials
Set
‘Francis Taylor Building is my first choice set. I have worked with a mix of juniors and silks and have consistently received a great service. I know that whatever the subject matter, there will be a barrister with the requisite expertise and/or experience.’
‘A consistently high-performing set with a wealth of counsel to choose from.’
‘FTB is a strong set especially in matters concerning planning, business rates and public law. I know the chambers has good strength in depth in licensing matters generally and I have attended some very informative training sessions. In licensing terms there is always someone suitable available for the case.’
‘FTB have a good variety of barristers in this area and they are all of high quality.’
‘All barristers are practical in their approach and express themselves clearly. There has always been somebody available to assist within the required timescales. Their training, delivered to planning officers, was hailed as the best and most informative training session that planning officers have attended.’
Clerks
‘I know James Kemp and Adam Collins the best, but find all the clerks at Francis Taylor Building to be first-class and a pleasure to deal with, being both responsive and extremely helpful. The clerks are a credit to Francis Taylor Building and should be commended highly.’
‘James Kemp has been incredibly reliable and very responsive throughout some incredibly stressful planning litigation.’
‘The clerks are are all very good. I have worked with Paul Coveney and James Kemp in particular who always provide excellent service.’
‘I work with several chambers and would single out James Kemp as responsive and very easy to work with. He is always one step ahead of the project needs. James and others are creative in the way they ensure barrister availability at the right point in a project cycle.’
‘Clerks are very helpful and always recommend the best Counsel for the work that is required. Meetings are efficiently arranged and information forwarded promptly.’
‘Responsive clerks who will work hard to accommodate what a case requires.’
‘Clerks are generally very helpful and willing to take a pragmatic view where necessary.’
Landmark Chambers
Landmark Chambers is ‘the leading planning and environment set, with unrivalled strength in planning, environment, local government and property work’. Members frequently act for government departments, regulators, corporate clients, private individuals and groups on matters concerning diverse issues, among them air quality, access to environmental justice, waste, contaminated land, pollution, climate change, emissions trading, environmental permitting and regulation. David Elvin QC, who is representing the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in a matter concerning unlawful failure to undertake appropriate assessment for habitats directive purposes, and James Maurici QC, who is defending appeals on four judicial reviews brought against the Airports National Policy Statement supporting the expansion of Heathrow, are among the most prominent silks in environmental matters. The set also has some of the leading juniors, among them Richard Moules, who specialises in terrestrial and marine environmental work.
Testimonials
Set
‘Chambers as a whole offer a fantastic set of barristers, all of whom are rightly widely regarded as being at the top of the profession. The service levels offered are second to none and the clerks go out of their way to assist with any aspect of instruction.’
‘Landmark is the leading planning and environment set, with unrivalled strength in planning, environment, local government and property work.’
‘Landmark has really embraced the opportunity presented for virtual gatherings and have offered focused, informative and interesting training over the last year. They offer an extremely strong set of planning barristers at all levels.’
‘Landmark is a great set.’
‘This set is known for its wide-ranging, experienced planning barristers.’
Clerks
‘The clerks are efficient and friendly.’
‘The clerks at Landmark are top notch. They are proactive, extremely responsive. and professional, and a pleasure to work with.’
‘The clerks were friendly and efficient and managed to turn any queries around expeditiously.’
‘The clerks are superb and always ready to assist and if necessary find a solution to any difficulties arising in terms of timetabling or availability, for example. As a team they are friendly and nothing is too much trouble.’
‘The clerks team is now led by Ben Connor and Mark Ball. Chambers are incredibly lucky to have secured this double act.’
Blackstone Chambers
Blackstone Chambers is ‘the leading public law practice’ and clients note that ‘the variety of people it has is helpful when considering who would be a good fit for a particular matter’. The set handles the full scope of environmental law cases, drawing in great depth of expertise in public, regulatory, local government, competition, energy, EU, procurement, planning and civil liberties law. Members continue to be involved in high-profile cases, including the group action against Volkswagen Group Limited concerning the use of defeat devices to mask pollution from its diesel cars, in which Thomas de la Mare QC is taking a lead role. Among the juniors, Emma Dixon remains a prominent practitioner in environmental law, and she is currently involved in a landmark air pollution case, R (ClientEarth) v Secretary of State, in both the Supreme Court and in the European Court of Justice, arguing for a declaration that the UK is in breach of EU air quality limits for nitrogen dioxide in London and other major urban areas.
Testimonials
Set
‘I have been part of teams instructing different barristers from Blackstone over the years and the variety of people they have is helpful when considering who would be a good fit for a particular matter. They are very professional.’
‘Blackstone Chambers is the leading public law practice. We would go there first with any public law needs.’
Clerks
‘I have been very impressed by the clerks room. I have regular contact with Billy Brian, who is hardworking, very approachable and a pleasure to work with.’
‘The clerks are generally helpful and responsive when needed.’
‘Clerks reply promptly.’
Henderson Chambers
Henderson Chambers is ‘the go to set for product liability and is using that to expand out into group environmental litigation’. One client remarks that it has ‘an established environmental law team and unrivalled experience of large-scale environmental group actions’, thanks to its broader focus on regulatory matters. This has seen it involved in high-profile cases such as the VW emissions scandal, in which members are acting on both sides. Oliver Campbell QC is leading newly-appointed silk Adam Heppinstall QC for the claimants, while Charles Gibson QC, Prashant Popat QC and Geraint Webb QC are acting for the defendants. The set also has significant expertise in common law nuisance claims and in public law, which sees it involved in a range of environmental matters concerning risk management, pollution and waste management. ‘One of the leading regulatory sets in the country, with experienced practitioners at every level’.
Testimonials
Set
‘The go to set for product liability, and using that to expand out into group environmental litigation.’
‘I have been very impressed by the strength-in-depth offered by Henderson Chambers. In the Volkswagen NOx Emissions, the set is instructed by both the Claimants and the Defendants which demonstrates how well regarded their practitioners are.’
‘Henderson Chambers is, quite rightly, one of the leading regulatory sets in the country. They offer up experience practitioners at every level. You can be confident that turn around times are met and they will provide support with internal and external training programmes. They have combined professionalism and client care in abundance.’
‘Henderson Chambers has an established environmental law team and unrivalled experience of large-scale environmental group actions. Members of chambers are engaged in many high-profile regulatory and criminal environmental proceedings, and in civil claims arising from pollution and other environmental issues. They have particular expertise in the railway, waste, transport and mining industries, where environmental issues often arise.’
‘Henderson Chambers has a number of barristers that I would be happy to instruct in the field of health and safety.’
Clerks
‘Joseph Sutton is my point of contact at chambers and I have always found him to be responsive and attentive.’
‘The clerks are always friendly, approachable and responsive. One of my main contacts is Daniel Smith who is a pleasure to work with.’
‘The entire team of clerks is outstanding, combining great client care skills and genuine area/sector knowledge which is often lacking. Quick to respond and very clear with their communications. They really do offer a great service.’
Six Pump Court
Six Pump Court is ‘a go-to set for regulatory work’, remarks a client, who notes that it has ‘real strength in depth and is good at suggesting an appropriate counsel for any given matter’. Many members specialise in environmental law, while bringing to bear accompanying skills in areas such as planning, health and safety, energy and natural resources to provide comprehensive advice on regulatory matters. Members frequently act in leading cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the High Court, while also representing industry and regulators at public inquiries and statutory appeals, and representing major developers and waste companies in the criminal courts. Stephen Hockman QC, who is defending a prosecution by Natural Resources Wales in respect of breaches of waste recovery permit, is a leading silk with more than 30 years’ experience in environmental law. Specialist environmental regulatory junior Christopher Badger frequently handles high-profile cases against and on behalf of the Environment Agency.
Testimonials
Set
‘One of the top Chambers for environmental law. Chris Badger deserves a special mention as a stand-out barrister.’
‘Six Pump Court are the only chambers I would consider instructing counsel from for regulatory work. Every counsel instructed has been excellent and the clerks are very helpful and quick to reply.’
‘Six Pump Court is one of our go-to sets for regulatory work. They do have a real strength in depth and are good at suggesting an appropriate counsel for any given matter. They’re also very good at providing training events, which are always well pitched and on point.’
‘Six Pump Court is one of the leading specialist environmental sets in the country for criminal work. Their counsel are excellent, and chambers has real strength in depth.’
‘I certainly consider them to be a leading environmental law set and I benefit greatly from the podcasts and other updates they produce.’
Clerks
‘The clerks at Six Pump Court are excellent. Of particular note is Michael Hearn. He is always helpful and is able to get answers from courts far easier and quicker than I can manage! If there is ever any confusion with fees and payment, Michael is always able to sort it.’
‘Excellent clerking. Ryan Barrow is very user-friendly.’
‘The clerks at this chambers are a pleasure to work with, they are also helpful and are accessible. Michael Hearn is amazing, always willing to offer assistance when we are up against it. Ryan Barrow is also extremely helpful and they are always polite and courteous.’
‘The clerks provide an excellent service. Richard Constable and Ryan Barrows engage and take active control of case management. I always feel in safe hands with the clerks at Six Pump Court.’
‘The clerks are excellent. Ryan Barrow in particular is always helpful, sensible and open.’
Cornerstone Barristers
Cornerstone Barristers is a ‘helpful and supportive set with positive, polite and friendly people’. Clients note that it is ‘one of the top planning sets in London and is has a strong environmental law team’. The set has a long track record in environmental law due to its prominent planning and public law practices. Its members have particular expertise in green belt and countryside matters, energy and renewables, fracking, minerals, waste, habitats and species protection. Estelle Dehon has carved out a reputation as a leading junior in matters concerning climate change and challenges to the extractive industries. She recently acted for local group South Lakeland Against Climate Change – Toward Transition (SLACC) in connection with the hotly-contested proposed West Cumbria coalmine, which is one of the UK’s most high-profile environmental cases.
Testimonials
Set
‘Cornerstone have a strong environment law team.’
‘Cornerstone has an excellent reputation and is one of the 4 or 5 top planning sets in London.’
‘A strong set in this area. Able to quickly find a junior to bring on board to assist.’
‘Cornerstone Barristers is always on hand to assist with quotes, allocate the relevant barrister to a case and there has never been any difficulties with availability.’
‘A helpful and supportive set with positive, polite and friendly people.’
Clerks
‘Sam Collins is responsive and easy to work with. My dealings with the clerking team have been limited but they strike me a professional and knowledgeable and efficient.’
‘A strong clerk service. Very quick response to queries raised. Able to assist with financial planning throughout the life of the case. Good links with the court and with clerks from other sets for communication where necessary.’
‘The clerks are approachable, friendly and hardworking. I have personally worked a lot with Daniel Gatt and highly recommend him. Daniel will always phone or email to check how a matter is progressing, always provides fee quotes within a quick timeframe and goes up and above to represent the barristers he works for.’
‘All clerks dealt with are friendly and helpful. Sam Collins is main point of contact and I enjoy working with him. Generally very positive.’
‘The clerks were helpful and service was good.’
Matrix Chambers
Matrix Chambers is ‘great across environmental law' with 'creative, clever barristers willing to develop the law’. Among its members are two of the leading silks in environmental law, David Wolfe QC, who acted for Friends of the Earth in its challenge to the Government’s failure to take into account the climate change obligations when deciding to allow for the construction of a third runway at Heathrow airport, and Richard Hermer QC, who was involved in a high-profile case for environmental damage against an international mining company for damages arising out of large-scale pollution of waterways from a copper mine in Zambia.
Testimonials
Set
‘Matrix is great across environmental law – creative, clever barristers willing to develop the law.’
‘Matrix has a very experienced environmental law team, both in terms of other barristers and their clerking support. The involvement of the team in leading environmental cases means their juniors get good exposure and experience.’
‘Matrix is our go-to set. Their barristers are at the top of their game and the barristers and practice managers alike eschew the traditional – and slightly stuffy – way of working in favour of a more open, collaborative and modern approach. They are open to running joint events and are shortly running a bespoke training session for us on JR.’
Clerks
‘The clerks are fantastic – very responsive, fun, friendly.’
‘One of the most gender-diverse clerking teams, which is a definite strength.’
‘Always excellent – a total pleasure.’