Described as ‘one of the top teams in the UK’, Burges Salmon LLP‘s practice covers the full spectrum of environmental matters encompassing water issues, power station decommissioning work and redevelopments as well as sizeable mandates relating to the waste industry. Practice head Michael Barlow ‘knows environmental law inside out’ and has been especially active advising the water sector on regulatory investigations relating to sewage overflows. Ian Truman has specialist knowledge on nuclear regulation and radiological environmental permitting, while Ross Fairley and Ian Salter are highly regarded environmental lawyers, focusing on net zero and nuclear law respectively. Corporate crime ‘heavyweight’ Guy Bastable is a key contact, and senior associate Sarah Sackville Hamilton covers a range of regulatory and contractual matter. Victoria Barnes is also noted, particularly for environmental investigations and disputes.

Ashfords LLP‘s environmental practice focuses on a combination of waste, energy and resource management work in addition to regulatory and compliance matters; the group is also notably experienced in Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation investigations and enforcement work. Brian Farrell in Exeter is noted for his energy and waste sector experience, and jointly leads the practice alongside risk and regulation expert Ian Manners and energy development and planning specialist Stephen Humphreys, who are both based in Bristol. Zoe Hunt has experience handling waste permitting, pollution issues, and contaminated land cases, and in April 2024, the firm welcomed Paul Collins.

The environment team at Osborne Clarke LLP advises a number of water companies and large multinational clients on environmental credits, including nutrient neutrality and biodiversity net gain issues, and handles investigations, prosecutions, contracts and regulatory compliance work. Located in Bristol, team lead Matthew Germain has experience covering ESG, natural capital, and waste law mandates alongside disputes and the environmental aspects of real estate and infrastructure transactions. Associate director Caroline Bush has a focus on natural capital work, while associate Arthur Hopkinson covers ESG compliance and environmental planning mandates.

Counting the energy, waste, and transport industries among its areas of expertise, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP supports clients on a multitude of regulatory, compliance, and enforcement matters, covering waste management, waste recycling, and pollution mandates. Jon Cooper leads the team from Bristol, advising on investigations, prosecutions, and nuisance notices from the Environment Agency. Vicki Redman and Emma Harling-Phillips, who are both particularly active on planning mandates in the energy and highway spaces, are also key names to note. In Plymouth, Sarah Holmes is highly active on environmental impact and habitat regulation assessments as part of infrastructure projects, while James Clarke handles biodiversity net gain matters.

Clarke Willmott LLP‘s environment team advises on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters spanning Environment Agency prosecutions and enforcement issues, flooding claims and the environmental aspects of large developments, including habitat regulations and EIA regulations. Key to this offering are Caroline Waller and Esther Woolford in Taunton, and Chris Charlton in Bristol. With experience in health and environment mandates, Bridget Sanger, also in Taunton, is noted for her experience in pollution cases as well as environment agency investigations.

Advising large housebuilders, water companies, and other public and private sector clients, DAC Beachcroft LLP has ‘good technical knowledge’ across the regulatory and compliance space, in addition to a strong record in environmental liability claims, pollution work, and transactions. With previous experience at the Environment Agency, practice co-head Anne Harrison assists with waste management regulations, contaminated land matters, and floodplain issues. Fellow co-head Neil Scott handles environmental crime matters and other contentious regulatory mandates.

With experience covering environmental transactional work, environmental liability claims, and contaminated land work, in addition to Environment Agency prosecutions, Foot Anstey‘s practice covers a range of environmental mandates. Recently, the team has also advised on a number of matters relating to nutrient neutrality and carbon credit issues. Based in Bristol, Christian Silk leads the team and has experience in natural capital creation work and the monetisation of credits. Also key to the practice is Kee Evans, who is regularly instructed on environmental liability matters.

Freeths LLP‘s growing environmental practice handles regulatory and compliance work, permits and consent issues, including protected species and habitat licensing matters, and crisis management mandates, with work arising from the energy, water, waste, and housebuilding sectors. Regulatory expert Ben Derrington and Richard Broadbent are the key contacts in the South West; Broadbent is also noted for his focus on natural capital law including biodiversity net gain issues. Senior associate Claire Lathwell is another key name with experience covering flood defence and air quality work.