Clients seek the ‘knowledgeable and understanding’ team at CMS for its expertise in areas including enforcement action, waste, carbon emission, and environmental impact assessment. The department is spearheaded by of counsel Joanna Waddell who specialises in environmental enforcement matters, particularly for clients under investigation by SEPA. She co-leads the practice with energy and infrastructure specialist Robin Hutchison. Rosalind Morgan in Aberdeen is noted for environmental advice to offshore oil and gas clients. Pamela Coulthard joined as of counsel in April 2024, bringing expertise from her previous position at Dentons.
Environment in Scotland
CMS
Practice head(s):
Robin Hutchison; Joanna Waddell
Other key lawyers:
Pamela Coulthard
Testimonials
‘Joanna Waddell is outstanding. Great technical knowledge and great ability to simplify complex matters.’
‘Working with the CMS team is a pleasure and they are knowledgeable and understanding of our needs in the public sector. As well as being excellent lawyers they are really easy to deal with.’
‘Joanna Waddell’s knowledge of her area was second to none and she quickly got to grips with the issue and provided excellent support throughout the project. I would recommend her and would use Joanna again in future projects.’
‘Joanna Waddell has been thorough in the advice given, which has been provided in a logical and understandable way that clearly sets out the steps to be taken.’
Key clients
Allego
Bakkafrost Scotland Limited
BP Exploration Operation Company Limited
Brockwell Energy
Cadent Gas
Curlew Property LP
EDF Energy
EDF Renewables
Equinor
Hargreaves Land Limited
Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers
Ithaca Energy
National Grid
National Museums of Scotland
North Lanarkshire Council
Northern Ireland Water
Nuveen Real Estate
Red Rock Power
Renfrewshire Council
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Water
Sembcorp
SSE plc
Stirling Council
Tarmac Trading Limited
Tarmac Limited
Trump International Golf
University of St Andrews
University of Glasgow
United Biscuits
Wind 2 Limited
Work highlights
- Advised SSE on a Compulsory Purchase Order for the 200MW Strathy South Wind Farm and the onshore and offshore planning, environment, and consenting aspects of Seagreen 1A owned by SSE Renewables.
- Advised the National Grid on multiple occasions regarding liability under environmental law, particularly involving scenarios related to the ownership and potential contamination of land.
- Advising Falkirk Council on the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme, involving 27km of flood defence walls and embankments.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP offers a ‘wealth of experience’ in all areas of environmental law, advising on regulatory and transactional matters as well as on the environmental aspects of major infrastructure developments. The UK-wide team is led by partner Ross McDowall from Glasgow who is experienced in environmental law, climate change, and sustainability. Gordon McCeath is particularly active in the energy, water, and waste sectors, advising on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Meanwhile, Jennifer Ballantyne contributes expertise in contaminated land, environmental permitting, and renewables.
Practice head(s):
Ross McDowall
Other key lawyers:
Gordon McCreath; Jennifer Ballantyne
Testimonials
‘They are very good at dealing with different personalities and meeting the needs of the client. They were able to give a clear opinion and direction on some very difficult and detailed legal questions, which is what we needed from our external advisers.’
‘Ross McDowall is very practical and gives his advice in a very clear and understandable way. He has excellent knowledge in the regulatory area and was able to steer us to a positive outcome.’
‘The team has deep capabilities in understanding the complex area of waste law.’
Key clients
BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd
RWE Generation UK plc
Drax Power Limited
Harworth Estates Investments Ltd
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scottish & Southern Energy
Motor Fuel Group
ENVA
Thames Water Utilities Limited
Regenerate Outcomes
Work highlights
- Advised BP Exploration Operating Company Limited on the environmental aspects of its Net Zero Teesside Project.
- Advised Regenerate Outcomes on a multi-landowner regenerative farming scheme.
Brodies LLP
With expertise across the energy, projects, corporate, and real estate sectors, Brodies LLP is well-equipped to act for public bodies, local authorities, and private sector clients. The practice is helmed by Philip Hunter, who advises on contractual protection mechanisms, risk allocation, and warranties within the areas of water pollution, waste, and contaminated land. On the contentious front, Niall McLean is active in climate change litigation and is routinely instructed in the Court of Session in environmental cases. The team is also home to George Sismey-Durrant, with expertise in contaminated land issues, licensing, and environmental impact assessments.
Practice head(s):
Philip Hunter
Other key lawyers:
Neil Collar; Sarah-Jane McArthur; Niall McLean
Testimonials
‘Nimble and efficient.’
‘Niall McLean is accessible and smart.’
Key clients
Belltown Renewables
City of Edinburgh Council
Clyde Gateway Developments Limited
Cooke Aquaculture
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Falkirk Council
Indaver NV/ Indaver Ness Services Limited
Marine Scotland
Mowi
Orbital Marine Power
Orkney Island Council
Quantum Energy Partner
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scottish Government
Thomson Quarrie
Work highlights
- Advised Clyde Gateway on a geothermal project for low carbon heating.
- Acted for Quantum Energy Partner on the acquisition of a brownfield port site at Ardersier for development into an energy transition facility.
- Acted as Senior Counsel for Marine Scotland in challenge to the National Marine Plan.
Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP
Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP is particularly well-regarded for its expertise in waste management, a field in which practice head Laura Tainsh is an ‘exceptional specialist’. Supported by regulatory, planning, and dispute resolution lawyers, the team excels in advising on the impacts of evolving legislation and policies and representing clients in environmental disputes.
Practice head(s):
Laura Tainsh
Other key lawyers:
Laura Irvine
Testimonials
‘Their strengths include strong personal experience and support in dealing with difficult challenges.’
‘The team is approachable, knowledgeable and available.’
‘Laura Tainsh has excellent knowledge. She is pragmatic, has a thorough approach, gives realistic advice, and gets the desired results.’
‘Good understanding of environmental regulations and impact on businesses.’
‘Laura Tainsh is very knowledgeable, current and focused.’
‘Laura Tainsh is an exceptional specialist with subject knowledge on waste and recycling matters.’
Key clients
Suez Group
W.H. Malcolm Limited
The Open Seas Trust
Uplift UK
Pelagia UK
Tartan Leisure Limited
Brewster Bros Ltd
The Dalziel Family
Saica Natur UK
Patersons of Greenoakhill
Work highlights
- Advised The Open Seas Trust on a judicial review challenging licensing decisions taken by Marine Scotland.
- Advised Brewster Bros. Limited on the completion of a complicated series of option agreement and leases for the development of quarrying and aggregate recycling operations, including all environmental permitting requirements.
- Advised Tartan Leisure Limited in relation to the development of Scotland’s first, inland, artificial surf park including associated leisure and accommodation facilities.
Shepherd and Wedderburn
With a strong focus on offshore environmental matters, Shepherd and Wedderburn excels in advising project developers in the energy, waste, water, and fish farming industries. Scott McCallum spearheads the team, with notable involvement in the offshore wind sector, providing support on breaches of consent, environmental liabilities, and pollution incidents. Colin Innes offers expertise in environmental impact assessment and wildlife legislation. Patricia Hawthorn left the firm in December 2023.
Practice head(s):
Scott McCallum
Other key lawyers:
Colin Innes
Testimonials
‘The Shepherd and Wedderburn team ensure in every transaction the business needs are well understood. Their advice is commercial, accessible and delivered within the timeframes we are working to.’
‘The team at Shepherd and Wedderburn work hard to ensure a close working relationship with our internal legal team. Colin Innes has superb knowledge of the UK planning landscape.’
Key clients
West of Orkney Offshore Wind (Corio, Total and RIDG)
Stromar Offshore Wind Farm Limited
ScottishPower Energy Retail Limited
ScottishPower Renewables (UK) Limited
Outer Dowsing (Total; Corio; Gulf Energy)
Moray West (Ocean Winds)
Hornsea Three (Ørsted)
Hornsea Two (Ørsted)
Work highlights
- Advised West of Orkney Offshore Wind on all environmental consenting advice, including S36 Electricity Act, marine licences, onshore planning, Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitat Regulation Assessment and European Protected Species Licences.
- Advised Stromar Offshore Wind Farm Limited on the environmental consenting aspects of this ScotWind leasing round project, a proposal for a 1GW floating wind project off the north-east coast of Scotland.
Harper Macleod LLP
Harper Macleod LLP receives regular instructions from public sector bodies, environmental campaign groups, and private developers. Practice co-head Peter Ferguson is experienced in handling environmental and planning matters related to renewable energy, mining, and waste management. He leads the team alongside Jennifer Jack, who offers expertise in environmental disputes, including judicial reviews and appeals.
Practice head(s):
Peter Ferguson; Jennifer Jack
Other key lawyers:
Calum Gee
Testimonials
‘The team at Harper Macleod is worlds apart from any other in Scotland for this work. International and national charities actively seek to have this team onside when considering environmental litigation.’
‘Jennifer Jack and Calum Gee are really the stand-out lawyers in this area of the law in Scotland. Jennifer has built a team which is the envy of other firms for the nature of the work that they are asked to carry out.’
‘I was very impressed by Harper Macleod’s handling of the cases. Their advice was sound and conveyed in a manner that the client department understood.’
‘Calum Gee and Jennifer Jack are both knowledgeable in their subject areas, give sound advice, and are approachable. They are quick to respond to any query.’
‘Harper Macleod has a good knowledge of all public law issues and a good understanding of environmental issues, especially from a developer’s point of view.’
‘Peter Ferguson is willing to put in the effort to understand the technical background of a client’s business to be in a position to give them the best possible legal advice. Calum Gee is an excellent all-round litigation lawyer who can turn his hand to anything.’
Key clients
NatureScot (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage)
Environmental Standards Scotland
Forestry and Land Scotland
Greenpeace UK
Cairngorms National Park Authority
Glasgow City Council
City of Edinburgh Council
Perth and Kinross Council
Scottish Wildlife Trust
Fred. Olsen Renewables Limited
Octopus Energy
Energiekontor UK Limited
Green Power International
The Foresight Group
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
Work highlights
- Represented Greenpeace in a legal challenge to the UK Government’s grant of consents to allow BP and Ithaca Energy and Shell UK to produce oil and gas from the Vorlich and Jackdaw oil and gas fields respectively.
- Assisted Glasgow City Council with the successful defence of a judicial review challenge to the Council’s decision to introduce a Low Emission Zone in Glasgow.
- Assisted Tambowie Biogas Limited with a successful judicial review challenge against decisions taken by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) under the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations.