Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 05 NOVEMBER 2021

Recent Developments In ESG-Related Litigation In The English Courts

Akin
Akin
Contributor
Akin

Akin

Akin is a global law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers and advisors who pride themselves on...

View firm profile
Explore more from Akin

Recently, we have been closely following a number of ongoing and fresh lawsuits brought in the English courts involving some interesting Environmental Safety Group (ESG) related issues.

United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Aimee Smart
Aimee Smart
Jordan de la Prida (Trainee Solicitor)
Jordan de la Prida (Trainee Solicitor)
Author LinkedIn connections

Recently, we have been closely following a number of ongoing and fresh lawsuits brought in the English courts involving some interesting Environmental Safety Group (ESG) related issues. We explore below two notable decisions, which have potentially wider implications for those who may find themselves parties to such claims.

Malawian Farmers' Claim Survives High Court Judgment on Costs Capping Order

The High Court's decision in Thomas and others v. PGI Group Ltd [2021] EWHC 2776 (QB) relates to a claim brought on behalf of 31 Malawian women (the "Claimants") who had worked on tea and macadamia nut plantations operated by Lujeri Tea Estates Limited ("Lujeri"), a subsidiary of PGI Group Ltd ("PGI").

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Texas Gov. Abbott Directs Data Center Audit; ERCOT Pauses Interconnection Process In Response

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed state regulators to conduct a comprehensive audit of data center projects seeking grid access, while ERCOT has paused its Batch Zero interconnection process. This regulatory shift introduces immediate uncertainty for developers regarding timelines, financing, and project approvals, signaling that political engagement has become as critical as securing land and power in the Texas data center market.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight
Article

President Trump Signs Legislation Enacting Phased Elimination Of Federal Tax Credits For New Clean Energy Projects; Directs Treasury To "Strictly Enforce" Credit Termination For Solar And Wind Facilities

The Act restores the ITC eligibility of qualified fuel cell property that begins construction after 2025. Under the IRA, qualified fuel cell property was required to have begun construction prior to 2025 in order to be eligible for the ITC.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Article

DOE Seeks Public Comment On Bulk-Power System Executive Order

The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking public input on implementing Executive Order 14421, which grants sweeping authority to restrict foreign-produced electric equipment in the nation's bulk-power system. With broad implications for utilities, manufacturers, and energy infrastructure projects, stakeholders have until October 9, 2026, to shape regulations that could fundamentally alter supply chains and equipment procurement across the electric grid.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight
Article

California Enacts Seven Data Center Bills, Effective January 1, 2027: New Tariff, Entitlement, And Disclosure Rules For Hyperscalers, Developers, And Power Producers

California Governor Newsom signed seven data center bills into law on September 21, 2026, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework that takes effect January 1, 2027. These bills create new tariff regimes administered by the California Public Utilities Commission, impose extensive reporting requirements on data center operators, and establish water disclosure mandates and CEQA treatment protocols.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Foley & Lardner LLP
Foley & Lardner LLP
Article

More Rigs Than A Year Ago, Higher Costs, And Service Prices That Haven’t Caught Up

Oilfield service firms responding to the Dallas Fed Energy Survey for the third quarter of 2026 reported substantially broader increases in input costs than in the prices they received. The input-cost index was 60.4, compared with a prices-received index of 16.3. Each index represents the percentage of respondents reporting an increase minus the percentage reporting a decrease.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Foley & Lardner LLP
Foley & Lardner LLP
Article

Newly Enacted Law Targeting Russia Creates Novel Tariff Authority Over Third-Country Imports, While Reinforcing Existing U.S. Sanctions Framework

President Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, introducing unprecedented tariff authority that could impose duties up to 100% on goods from countries purchasing Russian energy or facilitating sanctions evasion. The legislation creates a novel framework where tariffs stack on top of existing duties while codifying Russia sanctions into statute...
GlobalInternational Law
Akin
Akin
Article

President Trump Directs Removal Of Canadian Products From Federal Procurement

On September 16, 2026, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum titled “Restoring Reciprocity in Government Procurement”, directing the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the United States Trade Representative, in coordination with the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, to identify and take legally permitted steps to remove or restrict Canadian-origin items across the federal civil procurement system.
GlobalGovernment, Public Sector
Akin
Akin
Article

Major CIPA Reform Could Wipe Out Thousands Of Website Tracking Claims

California's Legislature has unanimously passed SB 690, a landmark reform that could eliminate thousands of pending class action lawsuits based on website tracking technologies under the California Invasion of Privacy Act. The bill removes the private right of action for pen register claims arising from routine web analytics tools, potentially reshaping the data privacy litigation landscape while companion bills simultaneously expand substantive privacy obligations.
United StatesPrivacy
Akin
Akin
Article

EU Finalizes Streamlined ESRS And New Voluntary Reporting Standard

The European Union’s (EU) revamped sustainability reporting framework is now final. On September 21, 2026, the revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and a new Voluntary European Sustainability Reporting Standard (VS) were published in the Official Journal, marking yet another significant step toward more proportionate sustainability reporting in Europe. In addition to previously raising applicable financial thresholds triggering compliance under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the revised ESRS cut mandatory datapoints for in-scope companies (i.e., undertakings under CSRD) by more than 60% and total datapoints by more than 70%.
European UnionCorporate/Commercial Law
Akin
Akin
Article

Senate Unveils Bipartisan Comprehensive Permitting Reform Bill

On September 30, 2026, Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee Chair Mike Lee (R-UT), and Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-NM) unveiled the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA; S. 5653), a comprehensive permitting reform package aimed at accelerating approvals for energy, infrastructure, transmission, mining, manufacturing, and other major projects. The legislation represents the most significant bipartisan permitting reform effort in years and follows months of negotiations between Senate Republicans and Democrats.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Akin
Akin
Article

Preventing Workplace Sexual Harassment: A Transatlantic Comparison Of Employer Obligations In The US & UK

As prevention obligations expand across the UK, California, New York State, and New York City, employers face heightened duties to prevent workplace sexual harassment before it occurs. With the UK's new "all reasonable steps" standard taking effect in October 2026 and US jurisdictions lowering liability thresholds, how can multinational employers navigate these evolving transatlantic requirements?
GlobalEmployment and HR
Akin
Akin
Article

SEC Risk Alert Highlights Common Deficiencies In Investment Adviser Annual Compliance Reviews

The SEC's Division of Examinations has identified six critical areas where investment advisers commonly fall short in their annual compliance reviews, from timing failures to inadequate documentation and unimplemented corrective actions. Understanding these deficiencies is essential for advisers seeking to strengthen their compliance infrastructure and avoid examination risks.
United StatesFinance and Banking
Akin
Akin
Article

DOJ Announces Second DEI-Related False Claims Act Settlement – Deloitte Agrees To Pay $21.5 Million To The United States, Plus $2.4 Million To Indiana And Florida

On August 25, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ or the Department) announced a $21.5 million settlement with Deloitte LLP and four affiliated entities (collectively, Deloitte), marking the second False Claims Act (FCA) settlement under the Department’s Civil Rights Fraud Initiative launched in May 2025.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Akin
Akin