Environmental Law

Environmental Law encompasses a wide range of subjects, from emissions trading and environmental impact assessments to contaminated land and noise pollution. Brick Court Chambers has been involved in many of these areas. Chambers' strength in EU and Public Law, and the considerable experience that members have of dealing with complex regulatory regimes provide an ideal basis for acting and advising in Environmental Law matters.

In the field of aircraft noise pollution, members of Chambers have acted for both the claimants and the Secretary of State for Transport in many of the ‘Night Flights' cases, both domestically and before the European Court of Human Rights, in Hatton v UK.

Members appeared for the successful appellants in R (National Grid Gas Plc) v Environment Agency, the House of Lords case concerning the meaning of an "appropriate person" against whom a remediation notice may be served under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Many of the other cases of note in which members of chambers have acted involve the interpretation of Community Law and its interaction with domestic legal frameworks. See, for example:

  • R (Cemex UK Cement Ltd) v Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Administrative Court)
  • R (Rockware Glass Ltd) v Quinn Glass Ltd (Court of Appeal)
  • R (Wells) v Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (ECJ)
  • Commission v United Kingdom (ECJ).

What the Directories say ...

"Brick Court Chambers is much in demand for cases that either relate directly to environmental issues or overlap with them. The set features a collection of experienced and highly knowledgeable individuals who act for a wide-ranging client base, which includes local authorities, private companies and NGOs. The set is well equipped to handle a diverse range of matters, but is particularly noted for its work in connection with EIA, carbon trading, and environmental successor liability." (Chambers & Partners 2012)

"Brick Court Chambers advises local authorities, private companies and non-government bodies on a range of environmental matters, including carbon emissions, EIAs and environmental successor liability."  (Chambers & Partners 2010)

"A set that is "phenomenally strong on public and administrative matters and competition law," (Chambers & Partners 2009)

Barristers Practising in this Area