At Browne Jacobson, we’ve always worked across business and society, and this expertise sets us apart. Here, we champion fairness, make the complex simple and focus on getting straight to the solution.
Organisations face a wide range of environmental risks, from climate change to flooding and contaminated land. Our dedicated team of specialists works with clients to achieve commercial resolution of environmental disputes, effective mitigation strategies and suitable solutions to environmental concerns.
Advising on an odour nuisance group action. At an early stage, we advised that a mediation take place to resolve the claims before the costs became prohibitive. At a one-day mediation we were able to achieve settlement of the claims.
In January 2021, a flooding occurred in Skewen, South Wales. The flooding followed a period of increased rainfall and Storm Christoph. We’re advising the Coal Authority regarding the flooding and claims being made against the Authority. We’ve advised extensively since the flood, and during the autumn of 2021, on the Authority’s detailed investigation into the flooding incident.
Acted for the Council in its statutory nuisance abatement action against the operators of Walleys Quarry due to odour nuisance. Role included the production of the Council’s disclosure list, advising on legal professional privilege and data protection issues, as well as gathering and marshalling factual evidence. Also attended the successful mediation where the abatement notice was permanently agreed.
Fire at Greenway Waste Facility - On 26 April 2021, a fire started at a former waste management/recycling facility in Ketley. The primary substance on fire was refuse derived fuel (“RDF”). Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service were unable to extinguish the fire due to the large amount of RDF stored at the facility. Smoke from the fire drafted over the nearby M54 causing it to be temporarily closed. We advised the Council on options open to the various regulators. The Council and the Environment Agency collaborated to devise and implement a scheme to extinguish the fire. We’ve also advised the Council on options for recovery of its outlay in relation to this site.
“The team is calm and collected in the most contentious of situations, and offers pragmatic and tailored advice in a timely manner. They are a real pleasure to work with."
“The team is knowledgeable, approachable, supportive and brings an air of calm to difficult situations."
“Browne Jacobson’s team are experts in their field, but one of their main strengths is that they are able to understand the nuances of the organisation in which I work and tailor their advice to suit my needs.”
"Browne Jacobson's advice is pragmatic, and reflective of their client's needs."
The war on plastic is being taken to a new level, and businesses that don’t consider sourcing recycled packaging materials could face costly implications.
Earlier in the year a number of fashion retailers, boldly announced the introduction of a charging fee for returning any product purchased via their online store. Yet, despite this commercial, and perhaps somewhat controversial decision, at least one major fashion giant that adopted this approach has recorded ‘historic highs’ in its September profits. Browne Jacobson partner, Cat Driscoll who heads up the firm’s commercial team in Manchester and is also head of its Fashion & Beauty sector discusses whether this change has put the average consumer off and whether the days of free returns are long gone.
The fashion industry has a mountain to climb when it comes to sustainability. More than 8% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the apparel and footwear industries, and approaching three-fifths of all clothing ends up in incinerators or landfill within a year of being made.
Created at the end of the Brexit transition period, Retained EU Law is a category of domestic law that consists of EU-derived legislation retained in our domestic legal framework by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. This was never intended to be a permanent arrangement as parliament promised to deal with retained EU law through the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill (the “Bill”).
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published a consultation on proposals to require Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) administering authorities (AAs) in England and Wales to assess, manage and report on climate change risks.
Browne Jacobson’s specialist cleantech lawyers have advised AIM listed Clean Power Hydrogen Group Limited (CPH2) on its licence agreement with Bentec GmbH, a member of the Kenera business of the KCA Deutag Group. Kenera will manufacture CPH2’s unique membrane-free electrolysers from its facility in Bad Bentheim, Germany.
Browne Jacobson’s private equity (PE) dealmakers have advised Palatine Private Equity backed CTS Group (Construction Testing Solutions Limited) on its latest acquisition of Concept Engineering Consultants Limited, a leader in geotechnical, structural and geo-environmental services for an undisclosed amount.
Rolls-Royce has shortlisted six locations for its first factory for small nuclear power stations. We look at the impact on regions & local businesses
Today the High Court has declared that the Government’s Net Zero Strategy is unlawful, as it doesn’t explain how the targets will be met. The decision follows similar decisions in other countries and reflects a growing willingness to consider and rule on climate-change-related claims in court.
Browne Jacobson’s specialist cleantech lawyers have advised AIM market listed Clean Power Hydrogen Group Limited (CPH2) on its global licence agreement with GHFG Ltd.
A Senedd committee has made a significant intervention in relation to post-Brexit environmental protection arrangements in Wales.
Conservation Covenants come into force on 30 September 2022. We look at the impact on landowners, developers and responsible bodies.
Shell shareholders have outlined their intention to bring a claim against Shell directors for failing to properly prepare the company for net zero.
Homes England, the government’s housing accelerator, has partnered with two local authorities, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Association of South Essex Local Authorities, in a new Strategic Place Partnership (SPP) which is designed to align with the government’s levelling up agenda by delivering new homes in the regions.
Climate change could result in local authorities seeing an increase in claims from the employees and the public. In this article, we share our top 10 tips for mitigating the risk of claims.
This article covers, at a high level, some of the legal issues that arise in the lifecycle of the innovation and deployment of new technology within the energy sector. It is not intended to be a comprehensive account of all legal aspects.
Today, (Thursday 16 June) 18 trainee lawyers from Browne Jacobson began the second of three planned “going green” fundraising challenges which focus on driving positive change to the environment and will raise essential funds for the firm’s charity partners.
First Hydrogen has identified 4 sites in the UK where it plans to locate large hydrogen refuelling stations for commercial vehicles. The sites will also accommodate on-site hydrogen production of between 20 and 40 MW (totalling 80 MW - 160 MW across all 4 locations) and will serve the urban areas of Greater Liverpool, Greater Manchester, London and the Thames Estuary. The plans form part of the Energy division’s strategy to develop green hydrogen production projects, initially in the UK and Canada.
The climate emergency has reached a point where real and substantial damage is being caused to both the planet and society. There has been a shift from planning and theorising the most effective solutions, to a phase where practical, efficient, and sustainable solutions are required at speed.
National law firm Browne Jacobson has launched an electric vehicle (EV) scheme as part of its employee benefits package. The benefit will be available to all of the firm’s employees across its five offices, including Birmingham, Exeter, London, Manchester, and Nottingham.
Browne Jacobson’s trainee lawyers are gearing up for the first of three outdoor fundraising challenges that will begin this weekend (Saturday 14 May), with the aim of driving positive change to the environment and raising funds for the firm’s charity partners.
There are a number of factors which have contributed to the crisis including the huge increase in wholesale natural gas prices, which have risen some 250% since the start of 2021. Since the start of last year, over 30 energy firms have gone bust in the UK alone.
With a view to tackling this increasing threat to climate change, the Department of Transport has published the UK Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Strategy, setting out the UK Government’s vision to implement a vast number of public chargepoints across the UK.
Browne Jacobson’s specialist energy & infrastructure lawyers have advised the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) on a significant £31m funded tidal energy project, located in Anglesey, off the North West coast of Wales.
National law firm Browne Jacobson has partnered with Midlands Engine, Djanogly City Academy and independent think tank, New Local to deliver a session with a difference at the Stronger Things 2022 Conference which focuses on transforming the work of public sector bodies in the UK.
Article in relation to R (on the application of Rights: Community Action) v Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government [2021] EWCA civ 1954.
