Environment

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)

Latest news

7th December 2023

A Practical Guide to Habitats Law in Planning and Permitting in England by Brendon Moorhouse

Brendon Moorhouse is one of chambers' leading environmental and planning barristers. He is regularly instructed in habitat and wildlife related matters and is frequently instructed in high profile permitting and planning related cases. He is a contributing author to Garner’s Environmental Law. A visiting research fellow and external member of the University of West of England’s environmental law faculty, he is also a trustee and member of the global advisory panel of the Conservation Collective charity.

30th November 2023

STATUTORY NUISANCE – A MASTERCLASS

The recent Six Pump Court webinar on Statutory Nuisance is now available for download. The download link details can be obtained by email from...

29th March 2023

Tate Modern development and the law of nuisance – Gordon Wignall discusses an important case

Gordon Wignall discusses an important and controversial re-statement of the law of nuisance from the Supreme Court

10th March 2023

Three members of Six Pump Court appear in one of The Lawyer’s Top 10 Appeals of 2023

At this week’s ground-breaking sitting of the Supreme Court in Manchester, three members of Six Pump Court Chambers appeared in the first case to be listed. The case raises topical issues of fundamental importance in relation to the operation of the sewerage system in England and Wales and the liability of undertakers for polluting discharges.

23rd February 2023

Waste company sentenced for corporate manslaughter

Following convictions for corporate manslaughter and other breaches of health and safety legislation after a trial in December 2022, FDS Waste Services Limited was...

10th February 2023

Stephen Hockman KC instructed by Environmental Law Foundation in major environmental case

The Environmental Law Foundation has been granted permission to intervene in a major environmental case that will be heard in the Supreme Court in March 2023.

3rd February 2023

Developments in nuisance law – Gordon Wignall reviews significant cases from 2022

2023 will be an important year for the development of the law of nuisance with some landmark cases due to be heard by the...

20th December 2022

Chambers welcomes Doug Scott following successful completion of pupillage

We are very pleased to welcome Doug Scott who now joins Chambers following the successful completion of his pupillage.

30th November 2022

Trends in Litigation: Climate Change and Environmental Challenges

Stephen Hockman KC will be chairing this event on 6th December hosted by UKELA's Climate Change and Energy Working Party, together with their Environmental Litigation Working Party.

24th October 2022

Six Pump Court ranked Band 1 Set and barristers receive 43 rankings

Six Pump Court Chambers is delighted to be ranked as a Band 1 Set with Set rankings in Crime, Consumer Environment, Health & Safety...

30th September 2022

Six Pump Court – Legal 500 2023 rankings

Six Pump Court has been recommended in 8 areas of law in the Legal 500 2023 with 59 individual recommendations. Six Pump Court is...

20th July 2022

Charles Morgan and Nicholas Ostrowski appointed to advise the Office for Environmental Protection

Charles Morgan and Nicholas Ostrowski have been appointed as external counsel advising the Office for Environmental Protection in an investigation under section 33 of the Environment Act 2021.

13th July 2022

Environment Act 2021: Text, Guide and Analysis: new book published

Christopher Badger is the co-author of a new book on the new Environment Act.

8th July 2022

Important judgment by the Court of Appeal on the scope of nuisance claims for water pollution

The Court of Appeal recently handed down judgment in Manchester Ship Canal Company Limited v United Utilities Water Limited [2022] EWCA Civ 852

26th June 2022

Environmental and Health & Safety Regulatory Issues in Arbitration Webinar

Six Pump Court Chambers will be hosting a webinar on international arbitration webinar next month.

11th May 2022

Six Pump Court barristers ranked in Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2022

Members of Chambers have been recognised in the new 2022 edition of Who’s Who Legal (WWL) UK Bar rankings.

26th April 2022

Dogger Bank marine protection to be increased

Brendon Moorhouse, supporting the Blue Marine Foundation legal challenge, helped secure increased protection for an important Marine Protected Area.

26th January 2022

Walleys Quarry litigation – a commentary

The Walleys Quarry litigation provides insights into areas rarely considered by the Courts in the context of environmental permitting, and the availability of declaratory relief.

26th November 2021

Discounts of 25% on books by Six Pump Court authors

Today (Friday), Law Brief will be running a Black Friday discount of 25% for all books available on their website.

29th October 2021

Environmental Law Conference – early bird tickets available

Join Six Pump Court’s hybrid Environmental Law Conference on 3rd December 2021 to hear from our specialist counsel and leading experts on current issues in environmental law and climate change.

Events

23rd February 2023

The Office for Environmental Protection Event

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) was created under the UK Environment Act 2021. The OEP is a new public body that aims to protect and improve the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account. This event will feature a talk by Christopher Badger followed by a Panel discussion and Q&A with William Upton KC and Brendon Moorhouse.

28th November 2022

Helping to shape the environment for the future: making a career at the Planning & Environment Bar

Mark Davies will be speaking at this event organised by the Planning & Environment Bar Association (PEBA).

13th July 2022

Environmental and Health & Safety Regulatory Issues in Arbitration Webinar

The webinar - entitled - Environmental and Health & Safety Regulatory Issues in Arbitration Webinar will take place on Wednesday 13th July 4-6pm

11th July 2022

The Energy Crisis – where do we go from here?

Stephen Hockman QC will be chairing this UKELA Climate Change and Energy Working Party webinar.

14th June 2022

UKELA Conference 14 -18 June

On 14th -18th June the UKELA conference will take place and we are delighted to be one of the sponsors once again.

3rd December 2021

Environmental Law Hybrid Conference – 3rd December 2021

Six Pump Court is pleased to announce our first full day Environmental Law Conference, bringing together specialist counsel with leading external speakers to cover a range of topical environmental issues.

14th September 2021

International Arbitration Webinar – Arbitrating under the ICC Rules

Members of Six Pump Court listed on the ICC UK Arbitrator Database will be joined by guest speaker Iain Quirk QC.

14th June 2021

UKELA Conference 14 -18 June

We are delighted to be one of the sponsors once again at this year's event. Members of Six Pump Court will be taking part and presenting some of the sessions.

28th May 2021

Solar Salt Projects in Africa – A discussion of the key environmental & legal issues

The next webinar in our international arbitration series will be held on Friday 28th May.

17th June 2020

Webinar: Piercing the Corporate Veil: the Principle of ‘Separate Legal Personality’

Six Pump Court Chambers is delighted to be able to host a re-run of our very popular ‘Piercing the Corporate Veil’ seminar as part of our series of 2020 webinars.

20th March 2019

Piercing the Corporate Veil: The Principle of ‘Separate Legal Personality’

Six Pump Court presents the third in our series of Environmental Law Seminars to be held this year.

28th February 2019

Company Directors and Environmental Responsibilities

Six Pump Court presents the second in our series of Environmental Law Seminars to be held this year.

31st January 2019

Private Nuisance: Key Contemporary Issues or “Bringing Home the Bacon”

Six Pump Court, together with UKELA Eastern Region presents an environmental seminar - Private Nuisance: Key Contemporary Issues.

13th July 2018

Friday 13th July – Regulatory Law Conference 2018 (Birmingham)

Six Pump Court will present a Regulatory and Planning Law Conference to be held on 13th July in Birmingham.

20th November 2017

Regulatory and Planning Law Conference 2017 (Leeds)

Six Pump Court presents a Regulatory and Planning Law Conference to be held on 20th November in Leeds.

The event will cover a variety of topics providing essential updates on specialist areas, informative discussion on topical issues and practical tips for regulators and for those who represent the regulated.

12th July 2017

Piercing the Veil’ Incorporation and Liability for Environmental Damage: Widening the Net

Six Pump Court presents the third in our series of Environmental and Public Law Seminars to be held this year. Wednesday 12th July –...

11th July 2017

Private Nuisance Litigation Masterclass

Our series of Masterclass Environmental Law Seminars continues next month with a second seminar, Private Nuisance Litigation Masterclass to be held on 11th July.

Blog

31st October 2023

Environmental Law News Update

In the latest Environmental Law News Update, Peter Cruickshank and Jemima Lovatt discuss nutrient neutrality causing a so called 'Ban On Building' and also the courts view Scope 3 emissions.

31st July 2023

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Christopher Badger and Peter Cruickshank consider a High Court refusal of permission for a claim against Shell PLC's Directors, the development consent order for the Stonehenge bypass and the introduction of Highly Protected Marine Areas.

31st May 2023

Environmental Law News Update

Jemima Lovatt considers the latest rejection of a non-regression clause by the Commons, an investigation launched by the OEP into ammonia advice in Northern Ireland and a new biodiversity duty for public authorities in England.

24th April 2023

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Doug Scott and Amy Taylor consider plans for Ofwat to take action on water companies paying dividends whilst failing to meet performance standards and the potential impact of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill on environmental legislation.

16th January 2023

The Court of Appeal has held that if the Government’s interpretation of the Paris Agreement is “tenable” the courts will not interfere.

In a case concerning the UK Government’s approval of UK Export Finance’s investment in a liquified natural gas project in Mozambique, the Court of Appeal has held that if the Government’s interpretation of the Paris Agreement is “tenable” the courts will not interfere.

13th December 2022

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, William Upton KC, Christopher Badger and Amy Taylor consider coal mines and climate change, reinvestment of water company fines into environmental improvements and the government’s new measures to tackle rising energy bills.

28th November 2022

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, William Upton KC, Christopher Badger and Doug Scott consider the Autumn Statement, the Environment Agency and Ofwat’s investigations into water companies and new DEFRA guidance on conservation covenants.

17th November 2022

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Christopher Badger and Doug Scott consider a Court of Appeal case clarifying the sentencing of Directors convicted of environmental offences, action from the advertising authorities on misleading green adverts and some optimism from the Head of the Environment Agency.

14th November 2022

October – November climate roundup : LURB Committee Stage highlights, a refusal, and a consent

Our latest climate law blog considers the proposed new climate clauses in the LURB, and recent local and national planning decisions involving emissions reduction targets. With COP27 in the news, the contrast between international aspirations and domestic realities is more than usually evident.

9th November 2022

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Gordon Wignall, Doug Scott and Amy Taylor consider moves by UK regulators on greenwashing claims, definitions of Gypsies and Travellers in planning policy and missed deadlines for providing legally binding environmental targets in the UK.

27th October 2022

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, William Upton KC, Mark Davies and Doug Scott consider the duties required of the Environment Agency under the Habitats Regulations, the results of a crackdown on waste crime in Lincolnshire and evidence that tuna stocks are recovering in marine protected areas.

11th October 2022

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, William Upton KC, Noémi Byrd, Natasha Hausdorff and James Harrison consider how the Government’s Net Zero Review, its revised Net Zero Strategy and response to the CCC Progress Report will interact, increases in civil penalties faced by polluting water companies, and the tough line being taken by the Environment Agency against illegal fishing.

7th September 2022

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Charles Morgan, Brendon Moorhouse and Natasha Hausdorff consider DEFRA's plan for storm overflows, water discharge permits in the Hinkley C Appeal, and how companies can improve their ESG data for effective decision-making.

23rd August 2022

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Charles Morgan, Gordon Wignall and Christopher Badger consider toxic algae in Lake Windermere, challenging an environmental regulatory notice by way of a judicial review rather than statutory appeal and, two recent Environment Agency enforcement cases.

16th August 2022

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Christopher Badger considers a review by DEFRA of the OEP, the publication of a Strategic Framework for a net zero energy system and an Interpol report on organised crime and links to pollution crime.

4th August 2022

Environmental Law News Update

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Charles Morgan, Gordon Wignall and Nicholas Ostrowski consider the measures being undertaken by the government and water companies to mitigate the effects of drought in the UK, a report into global trends in climate change litigation, and a successful challenge to the government’s net zero strategy.

16th February 2022

Environmental Law News Update: Feb 16, 2022

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, William Upton QC, Charles Morgan and Christopher Badger consider the UK's national reporting requirements for disclosure of climate change risks, a European study of the impact of Brexit on fisheries and aquaculture and an interesting decision on water rights in Mauritius.

7th February 2022

Environmental Law News Update: Feb 07, 2022

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Charles Morgan, Christopher Badger, Natasha Hausdorff and William McBarnet consider the dangers of overstating environmental virtues in advertising, more on the OEP’s strategy and enforcement policy and Environment Agency changes to attendance requirements for technically competent managers.

26th January 2022

Environmental Law News Update: Jan 26, 2022

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Gordon Wignall, Brendon Moorhouse, Christopher Badger and James Harrison consider a successful appeal by the Environment Agency in the Walleys Quarry litigation, draft documents issued by the new Office of Environmental Protection and the launch of a new consultation into the implementation of the biodiversity net gain (BNG) provisions for planning purposes.

19th January 2022

Environmental Law News Update: Jan 19, 2022

In this latest Environmental Law News Update, William Upton QC, Christopher Badger and Natasha Hausdorff consider a new government report on the climate risks facing the UK, the state of England's rivers and the extension of climate-related disclosure requirements by the FCA.

Podcasts

18th April 2023

Environmental Law News Podcast – April 2023

In this podcast produced by Lexis PSL, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies look at progress made under the 25 Year Environment Plan, publication of the Green Finance Strategy and more Environment Act 2021 Commencement Regulations.

12th October 2022

Environmental Law News Podcast – October 2022

In this episode Christopher Badger and Mark Davies look at potential new fines of up to £250 million for polluting water companies; the government's designation of Defra as an economic growth department; and new guidance for the packaging waste industry.

13th July 2022

Environmental Law News Podcast – July 2022

In this podcast produced by Lexis PSL, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies look at recent planning decisions concerning exploratory digging for fracking; the Office for Environmental Protection’s (OEP) strategy and enforcement policy; and the Environment Agency’s (EA) Regulatory Statement.

19th April 2022

Environmental Law News Podcast – April 2022

In this podcast produced by Lexis PSL, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies discuss recent developments including the Office for Environmental Protection's (OEP) consultation on strategy and enforcement policy, the Spring Statement and green claims in advertising.

12th November 2021

Environmental Law News Podcast – November 2021

In this podcast produced by Lexis PSL, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies discuss some of the key developments over the previous month including COP26, the Silverdale Quarry case and climate issues for local councils.

13th August 2021

Environmental Law Podcast – August 2021

In this latest monthly environmental law news podcast produced by Lexis PSL, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies discuss Southern Water’s record £90 million fine, the judgment in Valero Logistics UK Ltd v Plymouth City Council, and the UK Innovation Strategy and the potential for the precautionary principle to be revisited.

5th July 2021

Environmental Law Podcast – July 2021

Following the pandemic induced hiatus to the podcast series, we are delighted to bring you a new edition of this podcast presented by Christopher Badger and Mark Davies in association with LexisPSL.

19th May 2020

Environmental Law Podcast – May 2020

This month the Podcast partners with the UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA), to bring you a COVID-19 special where we hear from environmental regulators on how the pandemic is affecting operations.

12th February 2020

Environmental Law Podcast – February 2020

In this latest monthly environmental law news podcast in association with LexisPSL, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies discuss in some depth certain key aspects of the Environment Bill, which was reintroduced to parliament on 30 January 2020.

28th January 2020

Environmental Law Podcast – January 2020

The first environmental law news podcast of 2020 presented by Christopher Badger and Mark Davies in association with LexisPSL covers predictions for hot topics in environmental law in 2020, Urgenda’s success in the Dutch Supreme Court, and the Upper Tribunal’s decision in the ongoing ‘fluff’ litigation.

11th December 2019

Environmental Law Podcast – December 2019

In our final environmental law news podcast of 2019 presented by Christopher Badger and Mark Davies discuss the relationship between requests for disclosure under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and legal professional privilege, the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) most recent call for evidence, and the latest EU developments on green finance.

22nd November 2019

Environmental Law Podcast – November 2019

n our latest monthly environmental law news podcast Christopher Badger and Mark Davies discuss the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) feedback statement, following discussion paper on ‘Climate Change and Green Finance’, the Environment Agency’s pollution statistics for 2018, and whether nuisance might play a role in contemporary environmental concerns.

29th October 2019

Environmental Law Podcast – October 2019

n our monthly environmental law news podcast Mark Davies discusses the publication of the Environment Bill, Environment Agency aims to become net carbon zero by 2030, and new requirements for applicants for certain bespoke permits to carry out risk assessments on adapting to climate change.

4th October 2019

Environmental Law Podcast – September 2019

The latest monthly environmental law news podcast presented by Christopher Badger in association with LexisPSL, is now available.

30th August 2019

Environmental Law Podcast – August 2019

The latest monthly environmental law news podcast presented by Christopher Badger and Mark Davies in association with LexisPSL, is now available.

19th July 2019

Environmental Law Podcast – June 2019

The latest monthly environmental law news podcast presented by Christopher Badger and Mark Davies in association with LexisPSL, is now available.

7th June 2019

Environmental Law Podcast – May 2019

The latest monthly environmental law news podcast presented by Charles Morgan and Christopher Badger in association with LexisPSL, is now available.

17th April 2019

Environmental Law Podcast – April 2019

The latest monthly environmental law news podcast presented by Christopher Badger and Mark Davies in association with LexisPSL, is now available.

15th March 2019

Environmental Law Podcast – March 2019

The latest monthly environmental law news podcast presented by Christopher Badger and Mark Davies in association with LexisPSL, is now available.

19th February 2019

Environmental Law Podcast – February 2019

The latest monthly environmental law news podcast presented by Christopher Badger and Mark Davies in association with LexisPSL, is now available.

Our environment team