DLA Piper maintains its leading environment practice in Yorkshire, which is capable of advising on the full spectrum of sustainability and regulatory compliance matters. The team assists standout clients including Tarmac and Tata Steel with contentious matters, including Environmental Agency investigations, as well as performing environmental due diligence on high-value corporate transactions. Practice head Teresa Hitchcock is widely recognised for her environmental compliance expertise and regularly advises on contaminated land disputes and questions surrounding corporate environmental liability. Alastair Clough, an expert on regulatory issues who maintains close relations with clients in the industrial and waste sectors, is also highly recommended.
Environment in Yorkshire And The Humber
DLA Piper
Practice head(s):
Teresa Hitchcock
Other key lawyers:
Alastair Clough
Testimonials
‘Very commercial and practical advice; responsive.’
‘Teresa Hitchcock is able to look at health & safety/environmental matters from a number of perspectives. She is a former regulator so has excellent insight into their way of thinking, always looks at matters from the perspective of the client and also has an eye on the reputational/PR implications with the public as a whole.’
‘Very approachable and easy to communicate with, exceptional environmental legal knowledge and DLA have the ability to present complex legal arguments or advice in easy terms for non-legal clients to fully understand – would recommend without doubt.’
‘Teresa Hitchcock is always my go-to person at DLA. Teresa has worked for me over the years and has a pragmatic and friendly approach to any assistance required, with a friendly attitude and the ability to understand the commercial needs of a client whilst advising thoroughly on any potential legal implications.’
Key clients
Algeco (UK) Limited
DB Cargo (UK) Limited
Outokumpu Stainless Limited
Tarmac Aggregates Limited
Tarmac Services Limited
Tata Steel
Tokyo Electron Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Outokumpu Stainless Limited on the environmental aspects of the sale of its long products business division.
- Advised Tarmac Services Limited on the remediation of one of the largest plumes of contamination to affect an aquifer used for public water supply in the UK.
- Advised Tarmac Aggregate Limited on contaminated land liabilities.
CMS
The environment practice at CMS is noted for its ‘very long-standing knowledge’ of environmental issues in the waste and heavy industry sectors. Numerous manufacturing, waste and construction clients, as well as large and mid-sized retailers, regularly instruct the team to handle regulatory investigations and disputes related to pollution, biodviersity, and land contamination concerns. The team is also well-versed in advising on the environmental impact of major real estate and infrastructure projects, regularly assisting with matters surrounding planning applications and appeals. Practice head Lukas Rootman is an expert in contentious regulatory matters, while Rebecca Roffe advises on the ESG impact of corporate transactions and development schemes. At the associate level, Esme Saynor is a key contact for environmental safety questions, and Aimie Farmer is noted for her environmental due diligence advice.
Practice head(s):
Lukas Rootman
Other key lawyers:
Rebecca Roffe; Esme Saynor; Aimie Farmer
Testimonials
‘CMS has a very long-standing knowledge of the heavy and waste industries in the North and elsewhere going back decades. You can’t buy this sort of grounding in and knowledge of client industries, and that is particularly unique with CMS.’
‘I have been impressed by the lengths individuals at CMS go to in order to ensure that the client and, most importantly, the individuals involved in a case are well-informed and included at each and every step. This seems simple but is often overlooked, as many firms still focus their attention on those with authority to sign off the bills, forgetting that they are often not the ones whose evidence can make a difference in a case.’
‘I have known Lukas Rootman since he started working in the UK, and we have worked on numerous matters. He is genuinely committed to each case and relentless in his pursuit of the best result for his clients. A phenomenal worker and the one you would want in your corner if you were in trouble.’
Key clients
Cadent Gas Limited
Copley Point Capital Limited
Magnitude Land LLP
Red Industries IS Ltd
Richmondshire District Council
SEGRO Plc
SP Energy Networks
SSE Plc
Silvertown Homes Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Memory Lane Cakes Ltd on an investigation by Natural Resources Wales following the discharge of a polluting matter into Wedal Brook in Heath Park, Cardiff.
- Advised Cadent Gas Limited on the HyNet Northwest Hydrogen Pipeline project, which will be subject to a Development Consent Order.
- Advised Richmondshire District Council on a Section 288 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 challenge to quash a decision of the Planning Inspectorate involving interpretation and application of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
Freeths LLP
Freeths LLP‘s environment team is well-regarded for its ability to handle matters related to natural and wildlife law and regularly provides regulatory advice on the biodiversity and pollution impacts of large infrastructure schemes and development projects. The team is particularly active on questions surrounding the post-Brexit development of British natural environment law, advising clients such as the Office for Environmental Protection and acting in high-profile disputes on the issue. The practice is led by Sheffield-based lawyer Penny Simpson, who is widely regarded as an expert on natural capital and natural environment issues and has handled a number of regulatory due diligence issues as well as criminal investigations. The team was recently strengthened by the arrival of Leeds-based environmental planning expert Alison Ogley from Walker Morris LLP in December 2022.
Practice head(s):
Penny Simpson
Other key lawyers:
Alison Ogley
Testimonials
‘Great team on environmental regulation.’
Key clients
Abbey Developments Limited
C Squared Property Developments Limited
Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management
City Plumbing Supplies Limited
Defence Infrastructure
Shropshire Council
Office for Environmental Protection
Southern Water Services Limited
United Utilities
Work highlights
- Advised the CCSF Defence Infrastructure Organisation on its crucial applications for abstraction licences to allow its Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) military facility in Wiltshire to continue to operate with abstracted water supplies.
- Advised the Office for Environmental Protection since its inception on matters such as emerging government policies and draft legislation relating to environmental law.
Schofield Sweeney
The Leeds-based team at Schofield Sweeney has a ‘great skill set in environmental law‘ and is well-versed in the contentious and non-contentious aspects of environmental regulatory compliance. The team is also active in advising on flood and environmental risk mitigation and conducts due diligence on the environmental impact of corporate transactional matters. Practice lead Craig Burman, who is a former prosecutor for the Environmental Agency, frequently works with clients facing prosecution on waste, pollution and contamination grounds. For environmental investigations, Ian Anderson is also a key contact.
Practice head(s):
Craig Burman
Other key lawyers:
Ian Anderson
Testimonials
‘Great skill set in environmental law from the perspective of the regulator. Unique in our marketplace.’
‘Craig Burman – has an approach that is easy to get on with, you will have confidence that he has the correct approach.’
‘There’s a genuine desire to get the best result for their client – it really stands out. The way they operate is more like a key business adviser rather than simply just a lawyer, and I do think that’s rare. I deal with a lot of law firms, but Schofield Sweeney genuinely stand out to me, and I have recommended them time and again.’
‘Craig Burman is the main reason I enjoy working with Schofield Sweeney. Craig was originally introduced to me via a mutual client who could not speak highly enough of him, and for good reason! In a particularly difficult situation recently, Craig provided a calm, considered and innovative approach to assist in solving the issue, which was critical to the future of the business. There was no doubt he genuinely cared about the outcome. His responsiveness was outstanding, particularly given the time-sensitive nature of the issue, and he was instrumental in our success in resolving this. Craig is a truly exceptional professional that would be a real asset to any business.’
Key clients
AC Group Limited
AECOM Limited
Armstrongs Aggregates Limited
Colson Transport Limited
Fenwood Estates Limited
Greenhous Group (Holdings) Limited
Hermes Parcelnet Limited
Jeremy Benn Associates Limited
Leeds City Council
Newlay Concrete Limited
Templeborough Biomass Power Plant Limited
The Green Group Limited
Water Management Alliance
Work highlights
- Advised a local flood authority on its powers and rights in respect of a main river flood alleviation scheme and on the interrelationship between powers of flood alleviation and rail network management and operation, together with ongoing flood and drainage issues and natural flood management.
- Advised an internal drainage board on its powers to take enforcement action in relation to non-consented works within its bye-law strip.
- Advised Greenhous Group Limited on environmental liabilities in connection with acquisitions and sales of business assets and contaminated land.
Walker Morris LLP
Walker Morris LLP‘s environmental law team is active in both the corporate regulatory compliance and planning space and is capable of handling a wide range of contentious and non-contentious mandates, particularly in relation to climate change and waste regulations. Stuart Ponting, who leads the team’s regulatory activities, advises on the environmental compliance and due diligence aspects of major corporate mandates and real estate development projects, as well as acting in environmental investigations and disputes surrounding regulatory breaches. Richard Sagar leads the planning side of the team following Alison Ogley's departure in December 2022 and provides environmental insights on planning applications and appeals. Regulatory expert Rachel Turnbull is also recommended, along with Josh Kitson, who advises on site contamination and waste issues in relation to environmental permits.
Practice head(s):
Stuart Ponting; Richard Sagar
Other key lawyers:
Josh Kitson; Rachel Turnbull
Key clients
Leeson Polyurethanes Limited
Manor Farm Feeds Limited
Stonebridge Homes
FCC Environmental Limited
Caterpillar
Associated Waste Management Limited – Derbyshire Waste
MVV Environment
Arla Foods
Grissan Energy
Northumbrian Water
Work highlights
- Advised a national housebuilder on a significant prosecution for repeated and ongoing silt pollution incidents, securing a financial penalty considerably below what had been anticipated.
- Advised a client on the environmental due diligence aspect of its purchase of two contaminated sites.
- Advised a leading waste management business on end of waste criteria and assessments.
Gateley Legal
Gateley Legal‘s environmental offering is catered towards clients seeking advice on regulatory complaints and Environment Agency investigations. Accordingly, the team works with a number of housebuilding and manufacturing clients facing accusations related to non-compliance on pollution, biodiversity and waste issues. Pauline Munro, who leads the team and offers extensive experience advising on contentious matters, maintains close relations with clients including Collins Earthworks and the Vistry Group.
Practice head(s):
Pauline Munro
Key clients
Bellway Homes Plc
BioMarsh Environmental Ltd
Certas Energy UK Limited
Clearaway Limited
Countrywide Properties
Croudace Homes
DCC Plc
Donald Ward Limitd
Dr. Oetker (UK) Limited
Grupo Bimbo UK Limited
Samworth Brothers
Story Homes
Taylor Wimpey Plc
United Molasses Group
Vistry Group
Work highlights
- Advised a national groundworks contractor on an investigation launched by the EA in relation to waste crime and the alleged illegal deposit of waste at one of it sites in the South of England.
- Advised a developer on an EA investigation into illegal site waste activities, where the client was accused of unlawfully shipping material to an illegal waste site instead of landfill.
- Advised the lead developer on a large consortium site in South Wales in the foot of a mountain range which was causing torrents of rainwater to flow across the site, taking silty water into high profile local watercourse, including a canal.
Tyr
The environment practice at Tyr has demonstrable experience acting in contentious matters for clients in the energy and construction sectors. Clients facing prosecution by governmental and regulatory entities frequently instruct the team to provide regulatory compliance and negotiation advice. Lyn Dario, who leads the team, is noted as an ‘exceptional‘ practitioner capable of providing extensive technical support on contentious environmental regulation matters.
Practice head(s):
Lyn Dario
Testimonials
‘It is incredible how quickly this new firm has established itself on the North Eastern circuit. It will soon be a name synonymous with Leeds and Yorkshire as a whole, like established firms of many years.’
‘Lyn Dario is a regulatory and environmental lawyer of exceptional quality and standing.’
‘A relatively new and emerging team with expertise in regulatory work. No one fights for their client like Tyr Law, with Lyn Dario instrumental in leading the approach.’
‘Lyn Dario – partner is an outstanding lawyer who seems to consider every matter she deals with as personal. She really embeds herself in cases on behalf of clients. If my company had committed a regulatory offence, it’s Lyn I’d go to.’