Public sector
Leigh Day operates a claimant-focused practice, advising on international multi-party actions arising from environmental damage. Co-founder Martyn Day specialises in international environmental and product liability claims, with a particular emphasis on group actions. Daniel Leader focuses his practice on business and human rights, with significant experience in complex group litigation, mass tort claims, and parent company liability. Tessa Gregory advises on matters concerning wildlife and habitats, particularly in the context of planning decisions and development consenting, frequently representing claimants challenging environmental impacts. Rowan Smith specialises in judicial review, with a strong focus on environmental, planning, and human rights law. Ricardo Gama provides further expertise on environmental judicial review claims.
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Profile
Work Department
International department
Position
Partner
Career
Dan Leader is a barrister and partner at Leigh Day with 20 years of litigation experience. He specialises in international human rights and environmental litigation with a particular focus on group actions on behalf of claimants from the developing world. He has extensive experience of cases against parent companies, complex group actions and mass tort claims, as well as cross-border disputes and jurisdictional issues.
His recent cases include:
- Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc [2021] UKSC 3 Claims on behalf of two Nigerian communities arising from systemic oil pollution by Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary. The Supreme Court reaffirmed and expanded upon parent company liability principles previously set out in Vedanta.
- Lungowe v Vedanta plc [2019] UKSC 20 (with Martyn Day and Oliver Holland). Claims on behalf of 1,826 Zambian farmers arising out of damage to the environment caused by harmful discharges from the Konkola copper mine. In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court set out the jurisdictional principles in cross-border claims against parent companies.
- Rihan v EY Global Ltd [2020] EWHC 901 (QB). A successful international whistle-blowing claim on behalf of a former EY partner who refused to sanction a cover up of audit findings of money laundering and conflict minerals in the Dubai Gold trade.
- AAA v. Unilever plc [2018] EWCA Civ 1532. A case on behalf of 218 Kenyan tea workers who contend that Unilever failed to protect them from the foreseeable risk of ethnic violence in 2007.
- AAA v. Petra Diamonds [2021]. A parent company case on behalf of 97 Tanzanian clients arising out of serious human rights abuses on the Williamson Diamond Mine.
- AAA v. Camellia plc [2021]. A parent company case on behalf of 85 Kenyan clients arising out of human rights abuses at the hands of security guards employed by Camellia’s Kenyan subsidiary, Kakuzi.
- AAA v. Gemfields Ltd [2019]. A claim by 300 individuals for personal injury arising out of serious human rights abuses on and around a ruby mine in northern Mozambique.
- The Bodo Community v. Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd [2015] (with Martyn Day). A claim by a community of 30,000 Nigerians for compensation and remediation of their lands arising out of extensive oil spills in the Niger Delta which settled for £55m in 2015.
Other cases include the “Mau Mau litigation” (Mutua v FCO [2013]) which resulted in reparations for 5,000 victims of colonial era torture and the Baha Mousa Inquiry [2010] into torture by the British Army in Iraq.
Languages
Fluent French, spoken and written
Memberships
The Bar Human Rights Committee; Administrative Law Bar Association; International Bar Association; Liberty; British Institute for International and Comparative Law.
Education
BA, Oxford University (First class), LLM in International Law, University College London (Distinction).
Called to the Bar 2001.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Leigh Day is the leading firm in acting for claimants in environmental claims, especially group claims. They have unrivalled expertise and ability.' 'They take on cases other firms would be afraid to run and make new law in the process. They are utterly fearless and committed.' 'This is an exceptional team and an absolute joy to work with. Their capacity for running multiple cases at the same time, whilst maintaining an acute attention to detail in each case, is outstanding.' 'Leigh Day's growing environment team remains at the forefront of claimant work. They are the go-to team for NGO work, their cases are always interesting, and they are always in the news. Unquestionably number one.' 'Ricardo Gama is an absolute star - he’s very engaged, thoughtful, and committed. He’s a model partner who keeps the wider legal team and client on the right track.' 'The Leigh Day team is without doubt the top team for public law environmental challenges, particularly when acting for NGOs, campaign groups, and similar. Their experience and expertise in the law and in the practical aspects of challenges is second to none.' 'They care very much about their work and are committed to their clients in a way that makes them stand out.' 'They offer unmatched expertise across both domestic and international environmental work, covering both public law issues and civil/private law issues.' 'The team was hugely responsive and motivated to get the best for their client. I was very impressed by how skilfully they managed the legal process.''They are usually much more knowledgeable of the field than other solicitors I have worked with. They care very much about their work and are committed to their clients in a way that makes them stand out. Junior solicitors in the team are particularly impressive in that they are empowered to handle and drive matters forwards independently, and do so successfully, which is something that I have seen less in other firms. I have also worked with partners in the Environment Team, and they are equally committed, respectful, and kind. It is always a joy to work with Leigh Day's environment team.'
Key clients
- Global Feedback Ltd River Action Friends of the Earth Lifescape Project We Are Possible (“Possible”) and Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (“GALBA) Wild Justice Save Greater Manchester Green Belt: challenge to Greater Manchester plan Rights Community Action: energy efficiency WMS SoS Biscathorpe: challenge to oil well 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 The Bodo Community, Nigeria v (1) Shell PLC (2) the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Madagascar
Work highlights
Filed a claim for Judicial Review on behalf of Wild Justice on the basis of decisions by the Secretary of State of licences for the release of gamebirds in or within 500m of two Special Protection Areas under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.