Ross Fairley > Burges Salmon LLP > Bristol, England > Lawyer Profile

Praised for its ‘market-leading experience across the renewables market’, Burges Salmon LLP is highly regarded for its work in the energy and projects sector, often with an international dimension. Nuclear and renewable energy form part of the firm’s core focus alongside transport and defence projects. Ian Salter, a leading practitioner in the nuclear arena, leads the Bristol-based practice which also counts renewables heavyweight Ross Fairley amongst its key contacts. Mark Paterson fields extensive expertise in projects, particularly pertaining to infrastructure, technology, aerospace, defence, and nuclear. Sponsors and governmental departments regularly seek out Keith Beattie for his projects experience, while Julian Boswall frequently handles nationally significant infrastructure projects. Director Alec Whiter‘s practice encompasses matters in the net-zero, energy, and waste sectors.

The environment practice at Burges Salmon LLP advises clients across the whole range of environmental matters within real estate, from contaminated land remediation through environmental risk management, liability issues and carbon law. The firm also counts the water sector and decommissioning of power stations amongst its key areas of expertise. Michael Barlow heads the team with expertise that includes water as well as environmental projects and disputes, and energy efficiency. In May 2021, Guy Bastable joined the practice from BCL Solicitors LLP, bringing to bear extensive experience in environmental disputes and prosecutions. Nuclear expert Ian Salter, renewables specialist Ross Fairley, as well as senior associate Joanne Attwood are further key contacts. Former practice head Simon Tilling left the firm in October 2021.

Burges Salmon LLP has one of the largest environmental teams in the UK. It counts on the expertise of high-profile individuals in the sector including Guy Bastable, who joined the firm from BCL Solicitors LLP in May 2021 and specialises in environmental prosecutions, as well as Ian Salter and Ross Fairley, who focus on net-zero, nuclear new builds and decommissioning. Elsewhere, Ian Truman is another expert in the field of nuclear regulation and international nuclear law, and team head Michael Barlow has broad expertise with a workload that includes handling noise nuisance and coastal erosion claims. It particularly stands out for its expertise in the water sector, with its team representing a number of the UK’s nine water utilities. Other areas of strength include matters relating to power station decommissioning, contaminated land remediation and environmental disputes and prosecutions. Former partner Simon Tilling has recently left the firm.

Burges Salmon LLP advises large utilities, entrepreneurial developers, government and public bodies among a range of clients in areas such as the regulatory regime, disposals and financings. On the renewables front the team is well-versed in on- and offshore wind projects, solar, biomass, hydrogen and energy from waste matters in addition to acting on nuclear fusion. Low carbon project expert Ross Fairley co-heads the practice with Ian Salter who has expertise in the nuclear field. James Phillips is a regulatory expert and Nick Churchward is experienced in biomass and energy trading arrangements. Ian Truman has nuclear expertise with clients such as developers, regulators and insurers.