UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide
Ranked Individuals
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.
Provided by Chambers
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.
Provided by Chambers
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.
Provided by Chambers
Leigh Day were extremely proactive and client-focused. I was extremely impressed by their professionalism and dedication, which is difficult to fault. They're exceptionally good at client care.
Leigh Day is the number one claimant law firm. They're consistently very good at what they do and are organised.
Leigh Day have a unique model and approach. There is no other firm quite like them. They get stuck into the bigger-picture issues. Their public law experience is unparalleled in this sector.
The firm has a strong bench, with massively high-calibre junior lawyers, trainees and paralegals as well.
The team are exceptional in many areas, not least in their strategic approach to tackling cases. Their level of communications is outstanding, and their commitment to our cases is quite remarkable.
Provided by Chambers
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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Provided by Leigh Day
Rosa Curling
Carol Day
Head of Department
Rowan Smith
Daniel Leader
View profile of Daniel LeaderJulia Eriksen
View profile of Julia EriksenMartyn Day
View profile of Martyn DayRichard Meeran
View profile of Richard MeeranCarol Day
View profile of Carol DayRowan Smith
View profile of Rowan SmithTessa Gregory
View profile of Tessa GregoryMatthew Renshaw
View profile of Matthew RenshawTom Short
View profile of Tom ShortRicardo Gama
View profile of Ricardo Gama
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