We have a large and well established environment, planning and regulatory practice.

We are the leading environmental practice in Europe, specialising in industrial development, planning and land use, aviation law, energy projects, mining law, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, roads and railways, waste management, water law, large scale clean-up projects, privatisations, flotations and the environmental aspects of many other corporate activities.

We also have a rapidly expanding biotechnology, health care and pharmaceutical practice. Our advice on regulatory matters in the media and telecommunications sectors, and in the areas of constitutional law, public procurement and other regulatory issues, also enjoys an excellent reputation. We primarily act for industrial and commercial businesses, and in some jurisdictions we also regularly advise government bodies.

We handle all aspects of environmental and planning risk:

  • upstream risk - obtaining planning permissions, plant construction consents and environmental permits;
  • operational risk - operational health, safety and environmental issues; and
  • downstream risk - toxic tort and environmental contamination claims, warranty/indemnity disputes and producer liability.

In our contentious practice we are involved in high profile toxic tort, environmental contamination, product liability and administrative law cases, in national courts, the ECJ and the Court of First Instance. We also have experience defending environmental prosecutions and dealing with protestor action campaigns.

For more information please email Sharon Long, practice development lawyer.

News

Freshfields advises Barclays on acquisition of £2bn UK credit card business from Discover View

Freshfields' global dispute resolution practice appoints four new partners View

Briefings

Avis d’expert : CO2, les entreprises doivent vite se préparer à payer  View

Environment: carbon reduction commitment  View

A double whammy for petrochemical firms: the impact of the 2013 emissions trading rules

Paul Bowden, partner responsible for the carbon economy team, sets out what companies can do now, and how to make sure they are ready for 2013. Watch

A summary of what the proposals for the third phase of the EU emissions trading scheme will mean for EU petrochemical companies. View

Awards

Commercial Arbitration Law Firm of the Year - Who's Who Legal (2008)

Competition/Regulatory Team of the Year - Lawyer Awards (2008)

View all awards

Our carbon economy team

Read about our carbon economy team