Environmental

Our specialist environmental barristers provide advice and representation to both the prosecution and defence in criminal, civil, and licensing matters in the Magistrates Court, County Court, Crown Court, and Appellate Courts. We have specialist environmental barristers at all levels. 

Our barristers regularly act for local authorities, regulators (including the Environment Agency), statutory undertakers, interested parties, companies, individuals and property owners. Members have been appointed to the Attorney General’s List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates enabling St Philips Chambers to offer representation at all levels.

Our barristers are regularly involved in notable and reported cases including:  

• R (Environment Agency) v International Paints Ltd (2022);
• R (Environment Agency) v Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent Water (2021);
• R (Environment Agency) v McIntosh [2019] EWCA Crim 231. 

Our work often crosses over with our licensing and planning teams on issues such as: 

• Waste offences and regulation
• Water, land and air pollution;  
• Environmental licenses and permits; 
• Orders and enforcement notices; 
• Statutory nuisances; 
• Wildlife offences; 
• Financial penalties; 
• Injunctions and civil restraint; 
• Confiscation proceedings; 
• Energy and environmental compliance (SECR, ESOS, CSRD, ESRS etc.). 

Our environmental work is supported by our excellent Regulatory clerking team. Some of our barristers take on appropriate cases on a direct access basis. Some cases may be eligible to be funded by insurance or legal aid.