Environmental liability

We have been providing advice to businesses and insurers on environmental issues for over 20 years. We have considerable international experience in this area through our global network of Kennedys offices and our relationships with associate law firms around the world.

Our dedicated UK environmental defence team regularly advises on all aspects of enforcement actions, including criminal investigations and the prosecution of companies and employees.

We have a wide range of experience in representing clients in the waste, transport, chemical and construction industries as well as those in the energy, heavy industry and manufacturing sectors.

Our lawyers also have experience of dealing with major maritime casualties involving oil tankers, such as the Erika and the Prestige, as well as pollution from onshore and offshore oil wells, leaks from pipelines, oil storage installations and refineries.

We have a wealth of experience representing insurers in insurance coverage disputes involving environmental and long-tail claims. We also commence subrogation proceedings against third parties for recovery of insurers’ outlay, and we undertake the defence of civil proceedings brought against their insureds by third parties, including professional indemnity claims against environmental consultants.

Our lawyers also advise insurers on policy wordings and related environmental coverage issues, whether involving property damage, public liability, product liability, environmental impairment or D&O coverages.