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 Solicitors

The development of laws aimed at protecting our environment has been recent but rapid, much of it originating from the European Union. This area of the law has important implications for all forms of land use in Scotland and the firm has already established itself as a source of sound advice and assistance.

Environmental Law

To control environmental damage, the government appointed Environment Agency are taking increasingly strict action against individuals or businesses breaching environmental legislation, and the courts are imposing heavier fines and expensive clean up costs.

As members of the United Kingdom Environmental Lawyers Association (UKELA), Stanley Tee have considerable experience in acting for clients on environmental matters, and can advise on:

* Compliance with Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001
* Negotiation of clean up costs attendant on past or current site contamination
* Waste management issues, including the granting of landfill licences
* The role of the European Community in shaping preventative environmental legislation
* Conduct of civil and criminal litigation under the terms of the environment acts
* Updates on new legal environmental developments which may affect our clients business interests

Stanley Tee are committed to ensuring that you are up to date with all major legal environmental developments which may affect your individual or business interests.Stanley Tee Solicitors

Carson McDowell are experienced in assisting clients in the preparation of submissions to planning enquires. The firm was involved in a number of planning enquiries including those relating to Sainsburys at Londonderry, Stewarts Superstore at Newcastle and Tescos at Knocknagoney and at Bentrim Road, Lisburn.

The impact of Environmental Law Requirements principally following EU directives is all pervasive and effects a wide range of the practice area including principally commercial property and residential development. There are various EC issues in an ever-changing scene. Clients are under increasing pressure to take account of environmental risk. There is considerable overlap between planning and environmental law. The complex web of legislative measures intended at Environmental Protection gives rise to numerous legal issues, as such an Environmental Law Service can not be seen as a truly separate Department. Rather it is integrated across the practice.

We are accustomed to commissioning Environmental audits and advising our environmental assessments. Liaison with respect to local authorities and other environmental regulators and advice on integrated pollution control, air pollution control, waste management, land fill and incineration plus of course contaminated land.

Our approach enables us to assess potential environmental implications of client’s plans with reference to specific circumstances. We can provide services to help you in

(1) Drawing up contacts to provide for allocation of risk

(2) Insertion of Warrantees and Indemnities to minimise exposure

(3) Staff Training on internal procedures

We are particularly aware of the concerns of US investors looking at the Province. Carson McDowell Solicitors