Professor Richard Macrory CBE's CV

Qualifications

MA (Oxon)

Called to the Bar, Grays Inn 1974

Hon. Q.C. (2008)

Bencher Grays Inn 2010

Practice Profile

Richard Macrory is one of the most distinguished and experienced environmental lawyers in the country, who has pioneered the development of the field of law. He was the UK's first professor of environmental law, and currently is director of the Centre for Law and the Environment at the Faculty of Laws, University College London.  In 2006 he was appointed by the Cabinet Office for lead a Review on Regulatory Sanctions covering nearly all areas of business regulation.  All the recommendations in his Review were accepted by Government.  Important new powers for regulators resulting from his Review are now contained in the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008.

Richard Macrory's legal practice is focussed largely on national and European Community environmental law. His direct high level experience of the policy and regulatory world gives his advice work, both written and in conference, particular weight, and he has been involved in a number of key reported environmental cases.  

  •  R v S of S ex parte Friends of the Earth (1995) 7 Ad. LR 3617 (EC drinking water; advice and pleadings only)
  • R v Environment Agency ex parte Dockgrange (1997) Env. LR 415 (EC waste; junior)
  • R v S of State for Trade and Industry ex p Greenpeace (1998) Env. L.R. 415 (Habitats directive, territorial application; advice and pleadings only)
  • British Waterways Board v Severn Trent [2001] Ch. 32 (High Court) (2001) Env. LR (Court of Appeal) (water law, junior to Michael Beloff QC)
  • Transco v Environment Agency [2007] UKHL 30  (House of Lords 2007),  (liability for contaminated land, junior to Richard Gordon  QC)

Legal Directories

Chambers Guide 2012 "As a pre-eminent and pioneering academic in environmental law, Richard Macrory remains a leading authority on the subject in both a domestic and international context. One source says: If there's anybody who knows their stuff, it's him." "

Chambers Guide 2009 " "helped mould environment law as a discipline," according to sources. Although very much active in practice, his strong academic background and "detailed, knowledgeable" approach make him a go-to figure for advice on technical points of law."

Chambers Guide 2008  "enjoys tangible critical acclaim"; "With experience that covers environmental law on a domestic and international level, Macrory 'does everything to a high standard and is able to utilise his strong academic knowledge of the subject.'";

Chambers Guide 2003 "When it comes to opinions ‘you would not expect to go to anyone better than' Richard Macrory claim solicitors";

Chambers Guide 2001 "There are few people with such broad familiarity with the people and issues relating to the environment"

Legal 500 2006 "Commended for his authoritative opinions."

Current position

Professor of Environmental Law, University College, London

Legal Correspondent  ENDS Report

Former academic appointments

Professor of Environmental Law, Imperial College, London (1991-1994 and 1995-1999)

Professor of Environmental Law and Director of Environmental Change Unit, University of Oxford, UK (1994-1995)

Former external appointments

Led Cabinet Office Review on Regulatory Sanctions  (2005-6)                

Board  Member, Environment Agency, England and Wales (1999-2004)

Member, Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (1991-2003)

Specialist Advisor in Environmental Law, House of Commons Select, Committee on the Environment, Transport, and Regions (1997-2001)

 Specialist Advisor, House of Lords Select Committee on the European  Communities (1991-1992)

First Chairman, UK Environmental Law Association (1989)

Editor in Chief, Journal of Environmental Law (1988-2007)

Selected Recent Publications

  • Regulation, Enforcement and Governance of Environmental Law   Cameron May, London 2008
  • Environmental Public Law and Judicial Review   Judicial Review  Vol 13 No 2  115-125  2008
  • Weighing Up the EC Environmental Liability Directive  Journal of Environmental Law   Vol 20 No 2  pp 163-192 (with Jans, Kramer and Winter)
  • Supra-national Enforcement of Environmental Law : Reevaluating Compliance Mechanisms in the EU in International Comparative Guide to Environment Law 2008  Global Legal Group, London
  • Time to Act -  Should the UK be taxing aviation fuel?   New Law Journal 27 April 2007  588-589  (with Dunseath K)  2007
  • Regulatory Justice : Making Sanctions Effective    Final Report, Macrory Review, Cabinet Office, London 2006
  • The Enforcement of EU Environmental Law : Some Proposals for Reform in Macrory (ed) Reflections on 30 years of EU Environmental Law - A High Level of Protection? Europa Law Publishing, Netherlands  2005

Awards

  • CBE  for services to environment and the law
  • Hon Fellow, Chartered Institute of Wastes Management
  • Patron, UK Environmental Law Association
  • Vice-President  Environmental Protection, UK