Environment & Pollution
Every industry and business activity is affected by environment and pollution law.
More than in any other legal area, the national environmental laws of the UK and the 24 other EU member states are dominated by complex and continually evolving European Union legislation and European Court of Justice rulings.
Currently there are around 600 pieces of EU environmental legislation, including 200 Directives, and the Court of Justice issues in excess of 50 judgements each year, many of which have immense implications for business.
The sheer breadth of the subject is illustrated by the extensive menu of detailed sub-services in the left margin.
We are therefore uniquely placed to assist you in managing the complex legal and commercial impacts at EU, national, local and International levels. As one of the largest and most specialised legal teams dedicated exclusively to EU and UK environment and pollution law, operating one of Europe's most comprehensive web-based legal research and development programmes, we have been appointed to the panel of environment law advisors of the European Commission.
We are also actively involved in a number of projects across the expanded EU-25, including both public sector projects in the Accession States, and in the provision of consultancy expertise to local lawyers in various Member States. As such you can also benefit from our special interest (and network of partner firms) in the emerging markets of Central and Eastern Europe, including the recently acceded member states and the extended community of 2007 Candidate Countries.
Semple Fraser have recently developed an environment and pollution risk assessment service, specifically tailored to the commercial needs and circumstances of the property industry. For further information on our "Riskaware" service please click here .
"Three things impressed us most about Semple Fraser's environment team: first was the sheer range and depth of their specialist knowledge, yet with the ability always to see the broader picture, and how all these complicated legal strands intersected; secondly their ability to use EU law as a proper legal weapon, forcing regulatory U-turns; and finally their determination and tenacity on our behalf - having them on your side is like haing a (well-trained) Rottweiler at your disposal."
Mary Turner, J&M Turner faming partnership, Campbeltown
"Vincent and his specialist team were there for us in our time of need... their navigation through the maze of contamination / pollution legislation was indisepensable."
Raymond McAndlish, Managing Director, MCA Homes Ltd
"The proactive and fantastically responsive environment team... always delivers work on time and to outstanding levels of quality."
Chambers UK Directory 2009
"An enviable environmental practice."
Legal 500 Directory 2008
Back to: Services
