Overview
“Six Pump Court is ‘one of the leading specialist environmental sets in the country for criminal work’ and one client remarks that it is ‘an approachable and practical set, whose members will go the extra mile for their clients”
– Legal 500 2021
“Six Pump Court has a deep bench of barristers handling challenging environmental cases. The set is particularly well known for its handling of regulatory matters and its members have expertise in both civil and criminal environmental issues, including high-profile enforcement cases”
– Chambers UK Bar Guide 2021 (Band 1 – Environment)
Barristers at Six Pump Court provides expert advocacy and advisory services in all areas of environmental law and practice. Our specialist experience covers every aspect of European and domestic law relating to the regulation of the environment, which includes environmental permitting, regulation of waste, pollution prevention and control, water resources, water quality, fisheries, contaminated land, nuclear installations and hazardous substances.
We act at the very forefront of environmental law, particularly in the field of prosecuting and defending environmental cases in the criminal courts and cases involving statutory nuisance. Members of our environmental law team are regularly instructed to advise and appear in cases involving the export of waste abroad, environmental and social governance, environmental assessment, energy and resources, statutory and common law nuisance, utilities and access to environmental information. The combined experience of our environmental law barristers cover every aspect of this highly specialist, complex and ever-changing area of practice, at all levels of seniority and experience.
We continue to act in leading cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the High Court, whilst also representing industry and regulators at public inquiries and statutory appeals. Members appear regularly in the criminal courts and are involved in the more complex cases, acting for major developers, the waste industry and regulators. A large number of members were appointed to the List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Environmental Law, eight to the “A” List.
The broad range of specialisms in Chambers and our corresponding strengths in other specialist areas ensure an unparalleled strength and depth of expertise and experience. The team of expert environmental barristers at Six Pump Court are well equipped to provide the practical advice and effective representation required by those engaged in, or affected by, the complex and multi-faceted regimes of environmental regulation.
A diverse range of clients from the public, private and third sectors instruct members of our Environmental team. Whether they regulate, or are regulated, all of our clients receive expert advocacy and advisory services of the highest quality, tailored to address their specific priorities and needs.
The acknowledged expertise and experience of our environmental law barristers and the friendly, unstuffy but highly professional reputation for which Chambers is well known, are cited by our professional clients as reasons for choosing to instruct members of Chambers specialising in planning and environmental law. Our clerking team has an integral role in the delivery of our professional services and our success; they are consistently recognised for their professionalism, approachability and willingness to meet the particular needs of each client.
Six Pump Court won Real Estate, Environment & Planning Set of the Year at the Legal 500 UK Bar awards in 2015 and was shortlisted for Environment/Planning Set of the Year at the 2019 Chambers UK Bar awards.
On an individual level, Christopher Badger was the winner of Environmental/Planning Junior of the Year at the 2019 Chambers UK Bar awards and the Real Estate, Environment & Planning Junior of the Year 2018 at the Legal 500 UK Bar Awards. Mark Harris won Environmental/Planning Junior of the Year at the 2017 Chambers UK Bar awards. Stephen Hockman KC was nominated in this category as Silk of the Year 2015. William Upton was awarded Environmental/Planning Junior of the Year at the 2014 Chambers UK Bar awards.
Testimonials
"The ‘phenomenal set’ at Six Pump Court exudes ‘charm, discretion, and confidence’ whilst representing clients involved in health and safety matters, aiding with food and environmental issues."
― Legal 500 [2022]
“The best regulatory set in the country, without a doubt!”
― Legal 500 [2022] - Leading Set (Environment)
“Six Pump Court is ‘one of the leading specialist environmental sets in the country for criminal work’ and one client remarks that it is ‘an approachable and practical set, whose members will go the extra mile for their clients."
― Legal 500 [2021] - Leading Set (Environment)
“Six Pump Court has a deep bench of barristers handling challenging environmental cases. The set is particularly well known for its handling of regulatory matters and its members have expertise in both civil and criminal environmental issues, including high-profile enforcement cases."
― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2021] - Band 1 (Environment)
“It is in a league of its own across the board from junior barrister to senior QC.”
― Legal 500 [2020]
“Hailed as a “first-class chambers for regulatory work,” Six Pump Court possesses a deep bench of eminent silks and juniors active in environmental disputes…Their environmental expertise spans a variety of topics including emissions trading, waste management, flooding and habitat protection. Statutory nuisance cases are a particular strength. Clients note that the chambers “stands out for its specialism in environmental crime.”
― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2019] - Band 1 (Environment)
“High-calibre set with a fantastic track record of representing local authorities, developers and regulators in environmental cases.”
― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2018] - Band 1 (Environment)
“Six Pump Court is ‘the best regulatory chambers in the UK and remains the professionals’ choice."
― Legal 500 [2017] – Leading Set (Environment)