About

Provided by Leigh Day

Leigh Day represents clients seeking to protect the environment in this country and overseas. The firm specialises in claims as a result of exposure to pollution, including radiation, chemicals, pesticides and sewage in the sea.

Their cases include international multi-party actions arising from environmental damage in developing countries, UK and European public law challenges relating to climate change, human rights claims before the African regional courts, as well as domestic applications opposing planning decisions.

The team is at the forefront of the legal fight against climate change on behalf of its clients. It is currently instructed in a challenge to Heathrow’s third runway on grounds that the government failed to consider the Paris Agreement. It also challenges planning decisions on air pollution grounds.

On behalf of Wild Justice, a group co-led by Chris Packham CBE, the team successfully challenged licences for the mass killing of several species of birds and is currently challenging the Government’s decision to release millions of non-native gamebirds into the countryside.

Leigh Day continues to run numerous landmark cases which have helped to define the obligations of UK based businesses to the communities in which they operate as leading players in establishing the liability of English domiciled parent companies.

Many of their cases involve working with NGOs including Amnesty, WWF, the Wildlife Trusts, ClientEarth and Friends of the Earth.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Environment: Claimant - UK-wide

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Leigh Day is a leading claimant-side practice with an excellent track record in major environmental claims. It calls upon an impressive breadth of experience in areas including human rights, climate change and planning. The firm offers niche expertise in handling damage claims in developing countries. Its lawyers frequently advise on multiparty actions.

Work Highlights

  • The team was instructed by the Bodo community in Nigeria concerning multiple pollution claims against Shell regarding two significant oil spills from Shell's pipeline.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Martyn Day
S
Martyn Day
S
Senior Statespeople

Martyn Day is widely acclaimed for his expert handling of multiparty actions against major corporations. He has a wealth of experience representing foreign nationals in environmental cases.

Nobody does it better. I always learn something from him and he is amazing to work with.

Martyn Day really knows his stuff. He is the strategic lawyer who sticks out.

Martyn Day has a fantastic reputation. His charisma and reputation in this area are second to none. If he tells us how to handle things, they will happen.

Carol Day
1
Carol Day
1
Band 1

Carol Day is well regarded in the market, with extensive experience in environmental law. She regularly advises claimants on a wide range of matters including wildlife, infrastructure development and climate change-related issues. Day is particularly noted for her expertise in biodiversity matters.

Carol is a stalwart of the environmental legal sector. She has a deep, expansive and unparalleled knowledge of environmental law. I trust no one more to give me sage advice on environmental issues.

Carol is an exceptionally committed and knowledgeable environmental lawyer and we value her input enormously.

What really sets her apart is her unwavering commitment to this work and ability to advise so that pressure is applied in the place that makes the most difference.

Daniel Leader
1
Daniel Leader
1
Band 1

Daniel Leader is experienced in representing clients in large-scale group actions and mass tort claims. As a member of the international department at Leigh Day, he regularly acts in cross-border cases and is adept at advising communities in the developing world.

Richard Meeran
1
Richard Meeran
1
Band 1

Co-head of the international and group litigation department at Leigh Day, Richard Meeran is experienced in cross-border group action claims. He also acts as a legal expert before the UN, as well as government committees and forums.

Richard Meeran has pioneered the push for UK companies being held liable for things abroad. He's in a class of his own.

He is one of the heavyweight hitters in the international department. He is incredibly strategic and does what is best for the client.

Tessa Gregory
2
Tessa Gregory
2
Band 2
Tessa Gregory focuses her environmental law practice on matters pertaining to wildlife and habitats. Her clients include NGOs and campaigners, as well as local residents' groups.

Tessa is a team leader and has great strategic wisdom.

Tessa's comprehensive knowledge of legislation is exceptional, and her capacity to run multiple cases at the same time is remarkable. Her abundant enthusiasm makes her a pleasure to work with.

U
Matthew Renshaw
U
Up and Coming

Matthew Renshaw is recognised for his work in litigation. His practice spans notable work in oil pollution and human rights abuses claims.

Matthew Renshaw can give detailed points on closing arguments and knows cases inside out. He is an absolute star.

U
Ricardo Gama
U
Up and Coming

Ricardo Gama is recognised for his work in judicial reviews. His work spans food waste, carbon emissions and agricultural pollution.

Ricky is a real expert in planning and environment law, with a great strategic instinct. He provides very clear and client-focused advice, with an entrepreneurial and results-driven approach.

Ricardo is a joy to work with. He is incredibly bright and always takes the time to explain complex legal arguments so that we can understand our options. We trust his decisions implicitly.

Ricardo is an outstanding lawyer. He has extremely good client skills and thorough knowledge of his specialist areas.

Rowan Smith
Rowan Smith
Star Associates

Rowan Smith is an associate in the environment practice at Leigh Day. His remit includes advisory work for environmental campaigners and NGOs in connection with challenging decisions, particularly those relating to air pollution, fossil fuels and food production.

He is consistently good at what he does and is very committed to the cause.

He understands the subject matter and is creative in the way that he thinks. He deals with clients very well and is excellent in the context of appeals.

Tom Short
Tom Short
Star Associates
Tom Short is recognised for his environmental litigation expertise. His experience spans matters concerning wildlife and habitats, as well as climate change and air pollution cases.

He is great to work with. He has good judgement and good understanding of technical stuff.

Tom's grasp of complex legal arguments is very strong and he's always willing to take the time to explain them to us. He's a pleasure to work with.

Julia Eriksen
Associates to watch

Julia Eriksen has a growing reputation for her expertise in the environmental field. Her practice covers environmental and planning judicial review challenges. She demonstrates a particular expertise in climate change litigation.

She is calm, friendly, professional and really understands our needs as a client.

Her key strength is getting to the heart of the issue really quickly with a maturity beyond her experience. She is able the cut through the noise to form a coherent plan.

Julia is a wonderful person to work with. She is approachable and professional at all times.

Ranked Lawyers at
Leigh Day

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

UK-wide

Environment: Claimant

Martyn Day
S
Martyn Day
S
Senior Statespeople
Carol Day
1
Carol Day
1
Band 1
Daniel Leader
1
Daniel Leader
1
Band 1
Richard Meeran
1
Richard Meeran
1
Band 1
Tessa Gregory
2
Tessa Gregory
2
Band 2
U
Matthew Renshaw
U
Up and Coming
U
Ricardo Gama
U
Up and Coming
Rowan Smith
Rowan Smith
Star Associates
Tom Short
Tom Short
Star Associates
Julia Eriksen
Associates to watch