“Specialises in contentious matters on behalf of clients, with a particular focus on fatal accident cases and corporate liability matters.”

Chambers UK

BCL’s lawyers have experience in advising a variety of businesses and individuals regarding environmental issues, including waste management companies, recycling facilities, construction firms and oil refineries.

Specialist advice is available regarding environmental issues such as pollution, waste, water and contaminated land. We have extensive experience of the environmental permitting regime and have advised businesses regarding permit conditions, appeals, enforcement notices and suspension notices. We have also advised regarding judicial review proceedings against the Environment Agency when its decision making has had the potential to adversely affect the operation of a business and merits a review by the courts.

We provide advice throughout a regulator’s investigation, including regarding investigative powers, enforcement notices and PACE interviews under caution.

We also advise regarding prosecutions for criminal offences, confiscation of the proceeds of environmental offences, and civil sanctions. Environmental offences have recently been included in a Sentencing Council Definitive Guideline. Fines are expected to increase in size with developing case law suggesting that very large organisations convicted of environmental offences can expect very large fines. In addition, the guidelines make it clear that high culpability offences by individuals have a sentencing starting point of a term of imprisonment.

BCL has particular expertise in providing advice in challenging and time pressured situations. We are renowned for being involved in high-profile matters with an associated public interest and are adept at providing early strategic advice in order to respond to such complex reputational emergencies, ensuring minimal damage to the business and its employees.