CMS provides a comprehensive environmental offering, including enforcement, impact assessments and liability claims. The firm acts for national and international clients, particularly active across the waste, energy, and chemicals sectors. The practice is jointly led by Robin Hutchinson, a planning specialist in the energy and infrastructure sector, and Joanna Waddell, well-versed in contaminated land issues, allocation of liability, and enforcement and regulatory issues. Mark McMurray advises on high-profile projects involving sensitive environmental issues, while Rosalind Morgan has experience defending oil and gas majors in pollution-related prosecutions, including oil and chemical discharges. Pamela Turok has longstanding experience in ESG and sustainability matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Their knowledge regarding land contamination, the PPC regime, and the wider regulatory landscape in Scotland is second to none, and CMS has been instrumental on numerous occasions in ensuring we made an informed decision at the right time.
- What makes the CMS team stand out is their attention to detail, while never overwhelming their client with an undue amount of detail when providing advice. I would also note that, at the drop of a hat, Joanna Waddell has jumped onto a call with my team and very senior stakeholders in the regulatory space to support our engagement with said stakeholders. What has impressed me in these engagements is that Joanna seems to be immediately on top of the key issues despite the short notice we have provided for the call, and despite the complexities associated with the specific work she supports us on. I know that my organisation's interests would have been damaged in many of these calls were it not for Joanna steering the conversation in the right direction and securing information for us that we would not otherwise have been able to find out -- we wouldn't have even known where to look! Joanna is a superstar and I am sure that any other CMS clients, lucky enough to work with her, will attest to this too.
- Excellent technical expertise and understanding, human interaction, friendly, ability to digest and communicate intricate and nuanced arguments concisely and in lay terms.
- CMS Scotland's environment team set the benchmark. The team operates seamlessly, bringing real depth and consistency on complex environmental work. I wouldn't go anywhere else.
Key clients
- Allego
- Amazon Web Services
- Aura Blockchain
- Autodoc
- Bakkafrost Scotland Limited
- Balfour Beatty
- BP Exploration Operation Company Limited
- Brockwell Energy
- Cadent Gas
- Curlew Property LP
- Dana Petroleum
- EDF Energy
Work highlights
Advised SSE on environment and consenting matters, including aspects of the planning, environment and consenting of the Dogger Bank Zone.
Advised Falkirk Council on the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Joanna Waddell
Practice head
Robin Hutchison; Joanna Waddell
Other key lawyers
Mark McMurray; Rosalind Morgan; Pamela Turok