Increasing concerns about the sustainability of natural resources usage and its long term environmental, social and financial implications are resulting in ever more rigorous environmental regulation, particularly in areas such as electricity generation and energy use, land contamination, pollution, and waste management. At the same time new opportunities are opening up for companies responding to new regulatory constraints and commercial incentives in the fields of renewable energy production, water management, recycling and reclamation, emissions trading and environmental services.

Our Energy and Environment Team is comprised of lawyers with in-depth knowledge of the complex commercial and regulatory arrangements that govern these sectors, supported by lawyers from other disciplines - Property, Planning, Construction, Corporate and Project Finance - with an impressive track record of helping clients to successful project implementation.

Increasingly we are involved in the development of renewable energy projects, biomass, wind and well energy from waste, but we also support fossil fuel and nuclear generation, for example advising on the development of the 850MW Severn Power Station currently under construction, as well as upstream oil and gas developments. Our work in the water and waste sectors includes the procurement of major sewerage treatment facilities and acting for a new entrant on a series of inset appointments and bulk water supply and sewerage service contracts.

As well as providing specialist services clients in the energy, water and waste sectors, our Energy and Environment Team advises on the regulation and management of the environmental impact of industrial and commercial processes, property development  and other land use. We advise on the management of environmental liabilities associated with corporate and property transactions and act for a variety of clients including insurers, public bodies and regulators in prosecutions and civil proceedings.