Praised for its ‘commercial awareness and expertise in environmental compliance’, DLA Piper’s team handles the full gamut of matters, from litigation and defence of environmental prosecutions to transactional work. The practice is also noted for its experience in waste management and disposal issues, recycling and transportation of dangerous goods, and environmental permitting. Standout practice leader Teresa Hitchcock advises on mandates concerning contaminated land, as well as nuisance disputes and regeneration projects, while Alastair Clough handles regulatory licensing and enforcement issues, waste management matters and assessing environmental liability risk in transactions.

Freeths LLP’s Sheffield-based environment practice specialises in mandates concerning natural environment and wildlife issues, such as advising protected sites designated for nature conservation on pertinent regulations and planning issues generated by public bodies and local planning authorities. Practice leader Penny Simpson acts for developers, environmental consultancies and operators in the mineral and water sectors, and is noted for her experience in defending clients facing environmental-related regulatory or criminal proceedings. Director Richard Broadbent joined the practice in January 2022 from Natural England, where he previously led the legal services team.

Noted for its expertise in environmental compliance matters, Schofield Sweeney brings ‘a unique insight into the technical aspects’ to non-contentious mandates involving waste regulations, permit issues and statutory notices. The team also has demonstrable capability in investigations, prosecutions and regulatory enforcement proceedings concerning waste, water, air pollution and permit issues. Praised as ‘a first choice for environmental litigation’, practice leader Craig Burman’s advice ‘is backed with a commercial edge which benefits clients’ in matters relating to risk management and compliance.

Walker Morris LLP advises on the contentious and non-contentious environment-related aspects of large-scale infrastructure and development projects across the residential, retail, minerals, waste and renewable energy sectors. The ‘knowledgeable and approachable’ team has seen an increase in matters arising out of the waste sector, regarding compliance issues and emerging projects, and continues to act on enforcement cases, including environmental prosecutions and statutory nuisance. Alison Ogley, who has experience in EIA mandates, habitat regulations and waste development projects, jointly leads the practice alongside Stuart Ponting, who is regularly instructed in environmental investigations.

The team at Gateley Plc is noted for its expertise in regulatory and criminal investigations instigated by the Environmental Agency, as well as for advising a roster of clients across the manufacturing, retail, food and construction sectors on environmental, health and safety compliance issues. Pauline Munro heads the Leeds-based team and advises on contentious environmental matters. The practice counts United Molasses Group, Collins Earthworks Limited and Grupo Bimbo among its key list of clients.

Tyr frequently acts for clients across the energy, construction and retail sectors in investigations instigated by the Environment Agency or local authorities, and is well-placed to advise on compliance issues, particularly in the waste sector. Praised as an ‘excellent tactician and communicator’, Lyn Dario leads the practice and specialises in regulatory environmental matters.