Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Louise is an experienced energy and environmental disputes partner who leads the firm's UK energy regulatory practice.

Following her joint degree in Chemistry and Law, Louise's career has focussed on resolving energy, chemicals and environmental disputes. She has developed niche experience in the energy sector, advising regulated entities and companies who may wish to challenge regulatory decisions by way of judicial review, and advising licensees facing regulatory enforcement investigations, typically by Ofgem.

Louise regularly advises companies who may be impacted by regulatory decisions in the energy/utilities sectors. Louise typically provides strategic advice to companies who have received a “minded to” position from the regulator, preparing targeted submissions to seek to avoid an unfavourable final decision, while preparing the ground for a judicial review/Human Rights (A1P1) challenge should that be necessary. Louise has also advised on the potential for legal challenges to new regulations in the energy sector, in relation to retail and transmission issues.

Regarding enforcement action, Louise has advised licensees on a number of very significant recent investigations by Ofgem. Louise has advised an energy supplier on the only sectoral case to have proceeded to a formal Ofgem Enforcement Decision Panel (EDP) hearing, relating to advanced metering obligations (a pre-cursor to domestic smart meters). In addition, Louise has advised other licensees on the early investigation and resolution of various other potential enforcement matters (including advice on self-reporting), for example, relating to billing, consumer complaints and ombudsman cases, misreported data and energy generation.

Louise also advises on commercial energy disputes, where an understanding of the regulatory framework and potential public administrative issues and challenges are integral to the appropriate management of the matter.

In addition, Louise is an experienced civil environmental disputes lawyer and has handled a range of environmental claims, including environmental nuisance/negligence claims, migrating contamination claims and warranty and indemnity disputes. Louise has acted for businesses defending group action environmental nuisance claims, typically resulting in resolution without formal proceedings.

Louise sits on the firm’s global steering committee for ESG and is the commercial litigation lead for climate change litigation risk management. Louise advises clients on managing litigation risks associated with decarbonisation and net zero commitments, with a particular focus on greenwashing.

Louise is passionate about supporting and developing our junior lawyers and is responsible for trainee recruitment and development in her local office in Nottingham. Louise is also proud to be working on one of the firm's most significant pro-bono projects.

Outside of work, Louise has two children who take up most of her spare time, and she has enjoyed introducing them to sci-fi films and rock music.

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