Next Generation Partners

Leading Associates

Environment in Scotland

CMS

The environment practice at CMS is jointly led by Robin Hutchinson, who brings extensive experience in handling energy and infrastructure sector matters, and Joanna Waddell, a key contact for environmental enforcement cases. The team routinely acts for prominent Scottish energy companies, public bodies, and multi-national manufacturing entities in work. Mark McMurray is well-versed in advising on the environmental law elements of high-profile projects; Pamela Turok leads on ESG matters; and Kathryn Nolin is sought after for her expertise in renewable energy and infrastructure matters. Rosalind Morgan handles offshore work out of the Aberdeen office.

Responsables de la pratique:

Robin Hutchinson; Joanna Waddell


Autres avocats clés:

Rosalind Morgan; Mark McMurray; Pamela Turok; Kathryn Nolin


Les références

‘Joanna Waddell has an unparalleled ability to understand highly technical issues and provide productive and supportive legal counsel across a vast array of environmental issues. She draws on the full experience and expertise of her wider team to deliver the best service to us. Fully committed to delivering a professional and comprehensive end product.’

Principaux clients

Allego


Aura Blockchain


Autodoc


Bakkafrost Scotland Limited


BP Exploration Operation Company Limited


Brockwell Energy


Cadent Gas


Curlew Property LP


Dana Petroleum


EDF Energy


EDF Renewables


ENI / Versalis UK


Equinor


Hargreaves Land Limited


Isle of Man Government


Ithaca Energy


National Grid


North Lanarkshire Council


Northern Ireland Water


Nuveen Real Estate


Ooni


Red Rock Power


Renfrewshire Council


Scottish Enterprise


Scottish Water


Sembcorp


SSE plc


Stirling Council


Slip Pty Ltd


Tarmac Trading Limited


Tarmac Limited


Trump International Golf


University of St Andrews


University of Glasgow


Wind 2 Limited


Pinsent Masons LLP

At Pinsent Masons LLP, the environmental offering is led by Ross McDowall, who focuses on environmental law, climate change and sustainability matters. The team is sought after by a solid client base of energy, waste, infrastructure, and construction sector entities. Gordon McCreath is well versed in handling contentious matters, often for water and waste companies, while Jennifer Ballantyne advises on cases concerning contaminated land, waste, environmental permits, minerals, and renewable energy.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ross McDowall


Autres avocats clés:

Jennifer Ballantyne; Gordon McCreath


Les références

‘I appreciate the openness of the team, the ability to discuss a wide range of topics, and the ability to challenge our approach where necessary.’

‘Ross McDowall has technical knowledge that is second to none and is a solicitor you would want on your side. He is hardworking and responsive and a driving force in negotiations.’

‘Ross is patient and explains complex environmental law principles in layman’s terms. Ross is also thorough in his approach and is commercially astute. Finally, Ross is very professional, approachable, and supportive.’

Principaux clients

BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd


RWE Generation UK plc


Drax Power Limited


Harworth Estates Investments Ltd


Scottish Environment Protection Agency


Scottish & Southern Energy


Motor Fuel Group


ENVA


Thames Water Utilities Limited


Regenerate Outcomes


Island Green Power


Carlton Power Limited


Birmingham City Council


Henry Boot Developments Limited


Heidelberg Materials UK


Eden Project


Plastic Collective


Boothby Wildland Limited


Southern Water


Affinity Water


Berwick Bank Offshore Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised several corporations and public authorities on environmental issues concerning corporate, property and restructuring transactions.
  • Advising Anglian Water, alongside partner water companies Affinity Water and Cambridge Water, on its Strategic Resource Option (SRO) water resource projects.

Brodies LLP

Brodies LLP is regularly sought after by environmental regulators, public sector bodies, developers, and energy companies for advice on the full spectrum of environmental law matters. Practice head Philip Hunter is well versed in handling instructions concerning contractual matters, project developments, waste, water pollution, and contaminated land, and Niall McLean brings expertise in advising on contentious planning and environment cases. Planning expert Neil Collar‘s workload includes assisting with environmental impact assessments, and Sarah-Jane McArthur assists developers, sponsors, and banks with regulatory and compliance work pertaining to renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Paul Marshall is active in mandates involving the aviation, defence, and oil and gas sectors.

Responsables de la pratique:

Philip Hunter


Autres avocats clés:

Neil Collar; Sarah-Jane McArthur; Paul Marshall; Niall McLean; George Sismey-Durrant; Victoria Lane; Douglas Waddell


Les références

‘Proactive and on-the-ball.’

‘Niall McLean and his team are very focused on providing succinct and clear advice.’

‘What impressed me was Brodies’ comprehensive resources. They provided expertise across planning, environment, and local government, and did so in a proficient and co-ordinated manner.’

Principaux clients

Vinci Airports


Scottish Government


Energiekontor


Argyll & Bute Council


Acorn Bioenergy Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Vinci on environmental law issues in connection with the £1.27bn acquisition of a majority share in Edinburgh Airport from Global Infrastructure Partners.
  • Advised Energiekontor on matters concerning obtaining planning permission for wind farms.
  • Acting as lead counsel for the Scottish Ministers in environmental litigation.

Davidson Chalmers Stewart

The team at Davidson Chalmers Stewart is sought after for its strength in handling waste management issues and judicial reviews, and the group fields expertise in handling a wide range of environmental law issues, including environmental disputes and regulatory and compliance issues. The ‘diligent‘ practice head Laura Tainsh routinely handles waste management work, and is ably supported by regulatory expert Laura Irvine and Jackie Cook, who handles the environmental aspects of planning matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Laura Tainsh


Autres avocats clés:

Laura Irvine; Jackie Cook


Les références

Laura Tainsh offers no-nonsense advice and guidance.’

‘The team were extremely easy to work with and nothing was too much for them – I genuinely feel they go above and beyond to support their customers. The professionalism, advice, and experience of the team build a confidence which is second to none. I believe their experience, within the waste and resource management sector in particular, is unmatched in Scotland.’

‘Laura Tainsh was confident and approachable, her advice was invaluable and I felt like we were the only client she had because of her availability and quick attention.’

Principaux clients

Tartan Leisure Limited t/a Lost Shore Surf Resort


WKN PNE Erneuerbare Energien GmbH


Uplift UK


The Open Seas Trust


Brewster Bros. Limited


Patersons of Greenoakhill Limited


W.H. Malcolm Limited


Shin-Etsu Handatoi Europe Ltd


Suez Group


Saica Natur UK


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for Uplift UK in a judicial review concerning the decision to grant consent for the development of the Rosebank oil field.
  • Assisted Tartan Leisure Limited with the development an inland artificial surf park and associated leisure and accommodation facilities.
  • Represented The Open Seas Trust in proceedings relating to a judicial review.

Burness Paull LLP

At Burness Paull LLP, the team is sought after for its expertise in handling a broad range of environmental work, including regulatory and compliance issues and biodiversity net gain issues. Alasdair Sutherland and Steven Stewart co-lead the practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Steven Stewart; Alasdair Sutherland


Les références

‘Great level of environmental law expertise. Responsive to emails.’

‘Burness Paull has shown a high level of expertise in relevant areas of law.’

‘Steven Stewart got to the root of the issue and gave clear, concise advice.’

Principaux clients

EDP Renewables


Bells Food Group Limited


Department for Energy Security and Net Zero


Fidra Energy


Glen Earrach Energy Limited


Halliburton Manufacturing and Services


M74 West Limited


Noble Corporation


Scottish Football Association


Scottish Water


The Lifescape Project Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Fidra Energy on the Section 106 Agreement for the Thorpe Marsh Green Battery Storage project in Doncaster.
  • Advising Wind2 and EDP Renewables on an environmental impact assessment for a proposed wind farm at Drummarnock, Stirling.
  • Advising The Lifescape Project on issues pertaining to rewilding projects in Scotland.

Harper Macleod LLP

Harper Macleod LLP‘s environmental law offering is very strong in handling contentious and non-contentious matters for a varied client base of private and public sector entities. Practice co-head Jennifer Jack is active in litigation and public law work, and is a name to note for judicial reviews, while practice co-head and planning law expert Peter Ferguson routinely advises developers on issues concerning major infrastructure projects, including environmental impact assessments. Calum Gee and Sandy Fowler are very experienced in dispute resolution.

Responsables de la pratique:

Peter Ferguson; Jennifer Jack


Autres avocats clés:

Calum Gee; Sandy Fowler


Les références

‘This is a team that combines technical excellence, deep sector insight, and true empathy.’

‘They not only understand the intricacies of environmental regulation and policy, but they also excel at guiding clients through complex legal landscapes with clarity and confidence.’

‘Peter Ferguson provides outstanding commercial planning law advice.’

Principaux clients

NatureScot


Environmental Standards Scotland


Forestry and Land Scotland


Greenpeace UK


Cairngorms National Park Authority


Glasgow City Council


City of Edinburgh Council


Perth and Kinross Council


Scottish Wildlife Trust


Fred. Olsen Renewables Limited


Octopus Energy


Energiekontor UK Limited


Green Power International


The Foresight Group


Stream BioEnergy


The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland


Morton Fraser MacRoberts

Morton Fraser MacRoberts‘ environmental practice is sought after by clients from a wide range of industries. Isobell Reid leads the team, and has expertise in advising on contentious and non-contentious environmental and planning law matters, including environmental consenting issues and compulsory purchase orders. Reid is ably supported by Nick Atkins, who has established strength in handling cases involving nuclear energy issues, potential contamination and radioactive waste. Isabel Salvesen‘s workload includes planning, environmental and regulatory advice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Isobell Reid


Autres avocats clés:

Nick Atkins; Isabel Salvesen; Kate McIntosh


Les références

‘They are very knowledgeable on all the points of law.’

‘Very professional and efficient. Always keen to be as helpful as possible. They are very pleasant to work with. Isabel Salvesen and Nick Atkins are fantastic.’

‘I have a very high opinion of the individuals I work with. They have been been very good at keeping the momentum of the work going – checking in with our team and making sure that we are on top of all the details that need to covered to get nearer to completion.’

Principaux clients

SSE PLC


Transport Scotland


Thistle Wind Partners


United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority


Nuclear Decommissioning Authority


NatureScot


Dumfries and Galloway Council


Scottish Wildlife Trust


Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising SSE on planning and environmental matters concerning Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) projects.
  • Representing Transport Scotland in public inquiries concerning a broad range of environmental matters and legislative compliance.
  • Advising NatureScot on the impact of proposed windfarm developments on national land.