Claimant-side activity is a key strength for Leigh Day, regularly advising on cross-jurisdictional multi-party claims arising from environmental damages, and acting for a range of NGOs and developing nations in high-stakes proceedings. The firm’s groundbreaking work continues to help define businesses environmental obligations, notably in the context of climate change and air pollution. Richard Meeran co-chairs the firm’s international department. Daniel Leader has extensive experience of multi-party claims, while Oliver Holland specialises in environmental damage cases. Tessa Gregory notably acts in matters related to wildlife and habitats, particularly on their interaction with planning and development consent. Other key figures include Carol Day , the founder of the firm’s environmental litigation service; and Shazia Yamin, ‘a fantastic tactician and lawyer’ who specialises in large scale multi-party group actions. Rowan Smith - 'incredibly knowledgeable and responsive' - is also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The word unique is definitely overused. However I do not believe that there is any firm that matches the range and quality of service provided by the Leigh Day international environment/human rights department. All of the numerous people I have worked with have come across as knowledgeable and dedicated and with a good team ethos.’
'Carol Day, Ricardo Gama and Julia Eriksen have an extraordinary depth and breadth of knowledge across environmental law. My organisation has complete confidence in their advice on when to advance a case, and when not to. They work seamlessly as a team and are always available when we need them.'
‘Rowan Smith - incredibly knowledgeable and responsive; great with clients.'
- 'Ricardo Gama - incredibly knowledgeable and strategic in approach; very responsive and great with clients.’
‘Martyn Day - the real leader in the field. Unrivalled experience.'
- 'Ben Croft - one of many great partners at Leigh Day, he is exceptionally bright.'
- 'Shazia Yamin - fantastic tactician and lawyer.’
- 'Leigh Day are the foremost legal practice in the environmental law field, bringing welcome expertise to support organisations and individuals take on the injustice and illegality of governments and polluting industries. '
Key clients
- Andres Fernando Bravo & Others v Amerisur Resources Plc
- The Ogale and Bille Communities, Nigeria v (1) Shell PLC (2) the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria
- Kabwe Lead Poisoning Class Action
- Catarina Oliveira Da Silva & Others v Brazil Iron Limited and Brazil Iron Trading Limited
- Various claimants (residents of the Wye Valley)
- Diesel emissions litigation
- Professor Carolyn Roberts (Proposed Class Representative), an environmental and water consultant acting on behalf of millions of household consumers of 6 water and sewerage services in the UK.
- Global Feedback Ltd (“Feedback”)
- Protect Dunsfold Ltd (“Protect Dunsfold”)
- River Action
Work highlights
- Instructed by over 13,000 claimants from the Ogale and Bille Communities in the Niger Delta who allege their land and water has been seriously contaminated by oil spills in the area.
- Representing Friends of the Earth in a further judicial review of the new Carbon Budget Delivery Plan, arguing that the Government has failed to assess the risks to the Plan not being delivered, as required under section 13 of the Climate Change Act, given an overreliance on unquantified carbon savings.
- Judicially reviewing the Environment Agency’s (EA) approach to enforcing regulations which prevent excessive spreading of manure on farmland, the 2018 “Farming Rules for Water”.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Tessa Gregory
Daniel Leader
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Rowan Smith
Practice head
Richard Meeran; Sapna Malik; Jamie Beagent; Gene Matthews
Other key lawyers
Martyn Day; Daniel Leader; Oliver Holland; Carol Day; Tessa Gregory; Paul Dowling; Rowan Smith, Ricardo Gama, Matthew Renshaw, Benjamin Croft, Rowan Smith