DLA Piper is highly regarded in the market for its comprehensive coverage of contentious and non-contentious environmental issues, where the firm excels on compliance, waste management, disposal and environmental approval mandates. The team handles environmental litigation and regulatory investigations, while also assisting clients with the environmental aspects of real estate transactions; the group also advises on new policies and regulations. Teresa Hitchcock leads the team and is praised for her ‘years of relevant experience in handling environmental investigations’. Other key practitioners include Alastair Clough, who covers regulatory licensing and enforcement work; Ailish Oxenforth, who, alongside contentious work, provides environmental advice to clients; and James Parker, who frequently advises on regulatory investigations.

CMS‘ ‘deeply grounded and exceptional environment team’ is highly regarded in the market for the scope of its practice, with expertise spanning various environmental and product compliance matters, waste management issues and sustainability measures. The team is regularly involved in advising clients on regulatory enforcement issues stemming from statutory bodies and defends clients in environment agency prosecutions, in which practice head Lukas Rootman is particularly strong. Rebecca Roffe covers transactional environmental matters and has recently advised various clients on the statutory biodiversity net gain legislation, Aimie Farmer is well versed in contentious regulatory matters, and Esme Saynor often advises on the environmental aspects of product compliance.

The growing environmental practice at Freeths LLP advises housebuilders and property developers, conservation clients and water suppliers on environmental assessments, planning matters and environmental regulations, including those related to Brexit and the recent biodiversity net gain developments. The team is jointly led by Sheffield-based Penny Simpson, who has extensive experience in natural environment law and natural capital law, and Leeds-based Alison Ogley, who advises across the full suite of environmental regulations and is frequently involved in advocacy work. Further key team members based in Leeds are Emma Conwell, who joined the firm in March 2023 and Katie Le Boutillier, who joined in February 2024, both from Walker Morris LLP; both are well versed in environmental due diligence related to transactions.

Schofield Sweeney‘s environmental and regulatory practice stands out for its expertise in environmental compliance issues, where the team advises on contentious investigations and enforcement actions relating to waste disposal, air, noise and water pollution and non-compliance with permits, for which clients praise the team's ‘wealth of practical and often industry-based knowledge’. Other areas of expertise include handling the environmental aspects of transactions and providing flood risk advice. Practice head Craig Burman is highly regarded in this space and has extensive experience in environmental legislation enforcement, particularly with regards to the Environment Agency. Ian Anderson is also noted.

The Walker Morris LLP environmental team works closely with the firm’s construction, corporate and energy teams on complex development projects, handling both contentious and non-contentious work. Exceling in the housebuilding and construction spaces, the team frequently handles planning and environmental mandates including land stability concerns, contamination and waste management issues, and abatement notices. Stuart Ponting and Richard Sagar jointly oversee the team, with Ponting advising clients on environmental investigations and breaches, and Sagar bolstering the team's advocacy work, including acting in planning appeals. Further key contacts in the team include Rachel Turnbull and Josh Kitson.

The ‘small but highly experienced’ environmental practice at Tyr advises on waste management and disposal issues, often representing clients before the Environment Agency, while also covering noise abatement notices. Lyn Dario leads the practice and covers various regulatory aspects regarding environment and planning work. Marie Bourke further strengthens the team and is praised for her ‘great diligence and awareness’.