Environment
Mainstream concerns over the state of our natural environment and the threat of climate change mean that businesses today face an ever-increasing burden of environment regulation. Failing to comply has serious consequences; not only through civil, criminal and in some cases personal liability but also by the potential damage to corporate reputation, CSR standing and shareholder value. In a corporate environment where being sustainable has an increasing brand value, ensuring that you stay on the right side of environmental regulation is crucial.
The lawyers in our environment group at Osborne Clarke have the expertise and experience to ensure that your business is well advised on the often complex legislative and regulatory developments in this fast-moving area. The group was established in 1990 and has a proven track record in providing sound regulatory advice in a commercial and decisive manner.
This includes advice to sectors such as Waste Management, Renewables, Utilities, Retail, IT and Construction, in relation to a wide variety of environmental regulatory matters, including: contaminated land, water pollution, environmental licences, director responsibilities, climate change regulation and the low carbon economy.
We can assist clients in the lobbying process as new environmental regulation goes through consultation. We also have extensive insider knowledge gained from our active membership of the Environmental Services Association, the CBI Environment Committee, Regen SW, Renewable UK, the Renewable Energy Association and the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association which ensures we remain at the cutting edge of new regulatory developments.
In addition to our advisory expertise we advise on environmental disputes and claims brought by the Environment Agency or local authorities for breaches of environmental law or licences, and in relation to environmental torts such as nuisance,
providing clients with a full service advising on, and where appropriate defending, regulatory court proceedings.
Our environment group also provides support services across Osborne Clarke, particularly to our Corporate, Property, Banking, Commercial and Projects departments in all environmental aspects of commercial agreements and transactional work.