Planning and environment

Matheson LLP

The planning and environmental team at Matheson LLP is a part of the firm’s wider commercial litigation and dispute resolution team. It stands out for its experience of advising clients on the environmental aspects of large-scale developments, such as strategic infrastructure projects, and representing them in complex and precedent-setting planning matters and disputes. Market leader Nicola Dunleavy SC heads the practice, bringing over 25 years of expertise in environmental dispute resolution and regulatory enforcement. She is renowned for representing high-profile clients in complex environmental and planning matters, including judicial review challenges and the revision of planning applications. Another key individual is Ruadhán Kenny, who focuses on planning and environmental disputes and advisory work.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘What makes Nicola Dunleavy and her team unique is their knowledge and expertise in the planning and environment sector.’
‘When working with Nicola Dunleavy and her team, you are always certain that they will keep you informed and updated on changing laws affecting the practice area. When you give instructions on a matter you receive a reply setting out both timelines and pricing, always followed by a call.’
‘This team is superb - they are really invested in the client's business and work hard to understand how the business works and what they can do to assist the client to achieve their goals.’
‘Nicola Dunleavy and Ruadhán Kenny are both excellent, solution-driven partners who put in the time to understand their client's business needs and how they can provide bespoke advice and not generic one-size-fits-all legal advice.’
‘I find Nicola and her team excellent - it is my go-to firm for complex planning and environmental projects and we have plenty of them to consider in offshore wind. A lot is still unknown in that space from a consenting authority perspective so their insights and advice in relation to these unknowns and teasing out all the scenarios and associated risks are key to helping us make strategic project decisions.'
‘They provide expert, considered advice, which is concise and easily digestible - in both a legal and non-legal manner.'
‘Ruadhán Kenny is very responsive and gives clear advice and Nicola Dunleavy is an exceptional lawyer.’

Key clients

MOWI Ireland
Ecopower Limited
Beacon Hospital

Work highlights

Representing Mowi Ireland in the defence of three judicial review challenges to the grant of an aquaculture licence.
Representing EcoPower in the defence of a judicial review challenge to the grant of planning permission which raises novel issues regarding the jurisdiction of the national planning body.
Advising Macquarie Asset Management on planning issues connected with its acquisition of the Beacon Hospital business.

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