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

With one of the biggest teams on the market, Burges Salmon LLP fields a renowned group of specialists handling a steady work stream across renewable and nuclear energy, as well as PFI and PPP. Noteworthy figures include Ross Fairley and Ian Salter, who are renowned for their adeptness in renewables and nuclear energy, respectively. Mark Paterson and Keith Beattie are frequently sought out by clients for their experience in projects, with the former also leading the firm’s defence practice. The water, energy, and transport sectors profit from Julian Boswall‘s experience relating to infrastructure projects, while Alec Whiter is praised for his ‘exceptional level of energy sector knowledge and expertise’.

Described as ‘one of the top teams in the UK’, Burges Salmon LLP‘s practice covers the full spectrum of environmental matters encompassing water issues, power station decommissioning work and redevelopments as well as sizeable mandates relating to the waste industry. Practice head Michael Barlow ‘knows environmental law inside out’ and has been especially active advising the water sector on regulatory investigations relating to sewage overflows. Ian Truman has specialist knowledge on nuclear regulation and radiological environmental permitting, while Ross Fairley and Ian Salter are highly regarded environmental lawyers, focusing on net zero and nuclear law respectively. Corporate crime ‘heavyweight’ Guy Bastable is a key contact, and senior associate Sarah Sackville Hamilton covers a range of regulatory and contractual matter. Victoria Barnes is also noted, particularly for environmental investigations and disputes.

The team at Burges Salmon LLP advises across all areas of environmental work, from contaminated land remediation and liability issues, to environmental disputes and prosecutions. Other key workstreams for the  group include climate change and carbon law, nature-based solutions, and environmental compliance. Practice head Michael Barlow draws praise for ‘tirelessly seeking good outcomes for clients‘. Ross Fairley has expertise in major environmental law and net zero matters, while Ian Salter has recently become particularly well known for his expertise in nuclear law. Guy Bastable regularly works across all areas of corporate crime and regulatory investigations, with a major part of his practice covering environmental protection. Other key figures include Ian Truman, who stands out for his expertise in radiological environmental permitting, and Sarah Sackville Hamilton, who works with clients to navigate regulatory and contractual issues, and to bring forward net zero/sustainability projects.

With significant specialisation in the energy transition space, Burges Salmon LLP stands out in the renewable energy sector for handling high-value and often cross-border projects. The team advises a deep roster of clients in the industry, providing strategic counsel on M&A, financings, project developments as well as consenting and regulatory matters related to various renewable energy sources, including onshore and offshore wind, solar, geothermal energy, and green hydrogen. Practice head Ross Fairley is recognised for his work on a wide range of projects, including solar, battery, offshore and onshore wind, electric vehicle, tidal, and hydrogen. Notably, he is involved in developing innovative approaches to trading green electricity in the UK. Nick Churchward is a leading expert in waste-to-energy, biomass, and renewable energy trading arrangements and regulation, while Euan Bremner specialises in advising developers, investors, and debt funders on renewable energy and infrastructure projects throughout the UK, including wind, solar, and battery storage initiatives. Camilla Usher-Clark and James Phillips are also key contacts for renewable energy projects and transactions. Emma Andrews, meanwhile, is highly recommended for finance transactions, particularly in the renewables, clean heat, waste, and energy sectors.

Burges Salmon LLP‘s contentious and advisory offering spans expertise in areas including net zero, sustainable finance, corporate governance and supply chain due diligence. Practice head Michael Barlow‘s broad practice extends to advising on the incorporation of ESG clauses into supply chain contracts. Ross Fairley is well-versed in UK and EU energy law and frequently leads on mandates connected to the transition to net zero. Jamie Cameron has specialist knowledge relating to corporate responsibility matters.