Splitting its focus across two core areas (waste, energy and resource management and regulatory investigations and compliance), the team at Ashfords LLP is known for its handling of the full life-cycle of environmental projects from creation, design, and implementation all the way to decommissioning. The practice also advises on contentious and enforcement-related matters pertaining to renewable energy and carbon offsetting. Joint practice head Brian Farrell leads the energy and resource management team and is an expert on energy generation and waste resource management projects, while Ian Manners heads up the risk and regulation team, supporting clients with serious incident representation and crisis management advice across a range of industry sectors. Also leading the team is Stephen Humphreys, who focuses his practice on clean energy and major infrastructure projects, and recently advised on a number of new wind farms, solar farms and battery storage schemes. Zoe Hunt is noted for her full breadth of coverage in environmental law, specialising in waste permitting, pollution and contaminated land issues.

Showcasing an ‘excellent level of specialist knowledge of law and industry’, the team at Burges Salmon LLP shows capabilities ranging across a wide range of environmental matters including contaminated land remediation and liability issues, environmental risk management in transactional contexts as well as climate change and carbon law. Practice head Michael Barlow is recognised for handling domestic and international mandates, with notable expertise in handling matters in the water sectors and liaising with relevant authorities. Ian Truman remains prominent with clients in radiological environmental permitting and wider nuclear regulation, while Sarah Sackville Hamilton handles a wide spectrum of environmental law from contaminated land regime, waste duty of care, to carbon law and natural capital. Victoria Barnes is also noted for her work on environmental incidents and litigation practice, especially within the area of greenwashing. Ross Fairley is prominent in the renewables space, handling complex environmental law and net zero matters.

The team at Freeths LLP handles matters across industry sectors such as natural environment, natural capital and water resources, showing capability in providing compliance advice and crisis management and bringing forward judicial reviews. Overseen by national practice head Penny Simpson , the team is jointly led by Ben Derrington, who handles matters relating to waste, contaminated land and water resources, and Richard Broadbent, who leads the firm’s advice to clients on natural capital schemes. Also leading the team, Sarah Phillips acts for developer consortiums on matters related to nationally significant infrastructure schemes such as nuclear power stations, and renewable energy projects such as solar, wind and water infrastructure.

Michelmores LLP is well regarded for its expertise across the full spectrum of energy, clean energy and environmental work, with offerings including natural capital, biodiversity net gain regulations, sustainable agriculture and impact investing. The team also assists clients with advocacy and litigation, particularly with respect to wind turbines, noise and permits. Mark Howard and Helen Hutton jointly lead the team; Howard leads on various infrastructure projects and advises developers and public sector clients on environmental, and regulatory real estate matters, while Hutton acts for a wide range of clients, including developers, large corporates and not-for-profit organisations, on issues related to contaminated land, environmental liability as well as data centres and biodiversity net gain projects. Alexandra Watson is noted for having particular experience with energy and waste infrastructure projects. Harriet Grimes is also a key contact.

Clarke Willmott LLP‘s environment team is well-known for acting on behalf of defendants in environmental prosecutions and enforcement actions brought forward by relevant authorities. On the non-contentious side the team advises developers, landowners and lenders on environmental matters relating to development schemes or issues related to contaminated land and pollution. Practice head Caroline Waller advises developers and planning authorities in relation to planning and highways agreements, and has expanded her practice to include nutrient credits. Esther Woolford handles civil litigation concerning agricultural matters while Jade Lyus has been crucial to setting up the nutrient trading scheme.

The team at DAC Beachcroft LLP advises landowners and developers on issues related to contaminated land liabilities and various other land and property related matters. The practice also provides advice across a range of industry sectors, notably, waste management, pollution and environmental permitting offences. Practice head Anne Harrison advises both private and public sector clients on a range of matters related to residential developments, contaminated land and waste management regulation. Neil Scott advises and represents clients in waste management and environmental pollution investigations carried out by relevant authorities.

Alongside a particular specialism advising developers and landowners on matters relating to natural capital and biodiversity net gain, the team at Foot Anstey assists clients with a wide range of regulatory issues. The team is led by newly appointed practice head James Clark , who joined the firm in January 2025. Kee Evans remains a key name in the team, advising on issues regarding contaminated land and environmental liability, as well as assisting housebuilders with net neutrality issues.

Stephens Scown LLP is best known for its assistance of individuals and companies in regards to investigations brought forward by various environmental agencies. The team advises on a wide range of issues including civil sanctions and enforcement actions regarding noise, odour and waste as well as onshore, coastal and offshore pollution. Stephen Panton leads the team, handling a vast array of matters in the contentious environmental landscape, such as major pollution events and Environment Agency prosecutions.