Showcasing an ‘excellent level of specialist knowledge of law and industry’, the team at Burges Salmon LLP shows capabilities ranging across a wide range of environmental matters including contaminated land remediation and liability issues, environmental risk management in transactional contexts as well as climate change and carbon law. Practice head Michael Barlow is recognised for handling domestic and international mandates, with notable expertise in handling matters in the water sectors and liaising with relevant authorities. Ian Truman remains prominent with clients in radiological environmental permitting and wider nuclear regulation, while Sarah Sackville Hamilton handles a wide spectrum of environmental law from contaminated land regime, waste duty of care, to carbon law and natural capital. Victoria Barnes is also noted for her work on environmental incidents and litigation practice, especially within the area of greenwashing. Ross Fairley is prominent in the renewables space, handling complex environmental law and net zero matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Very strong on nuclear work.’

  • ‘Regional team with national reach, particularly strong in litigation and contentious matters.’

  • ‘Michael Barlow is an excellent partner who is strategically adept, an excellent tactician in litigation, a firm leader and an imaginative legal expert. Always looking for the best solutions for the client. ’

  • ‘Excellent customer service - prompt, reliable, practical. Really understand the industry and what an in-house lawyer needs.’

  • ‘Great knowledge of the sector, and in our case the regulatory processes and precedents set.’

  • ‘Michael Barlow and Victoria Barnes have been very efficient and diligent in keeping track of our case.’

Key clients

  • FirstGroup
  • Canal and River Trust
  • Severn Trent Water
  • John Lewis
  • Radnor Hills Mineral Water Company Ltd
  • ENGIE
  • Affinity Water
  • Pennon plc
  • Virgin Management Limited

Work highlights

Advising a sport equipment manufacturer of a global brand in an appeal to a statutory nuisance abatement notice that was served on the company by a local authority.
Key advisor to a leading organisation in relation to the UK’s first geological disposal facility for radioactive waste.
Advising Radnor Hills Mineral Water Company on a successful appeal of an abstraction license which involved issues with Habitats Regulation assessments, evidence and strategy.

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.

Michael Barlow

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Victoria Barnes
Sarah Sackville Hamilton

Practice head

Michael Barlow

Other key lawyers

Ian Truman; Sarah Sackville Hamilton; Victoria Barnes; Ross Fairley