Penny Simpson

Practice Areas

Penny leads the national Environmental Law Team and the multidisciplinary Natural Capital Law Team at Freeths LLP.

Listed as a Leading Individual in the Chambers 2024 edition, a Recommended Lawyer and Leading Individual in the 2024 Legal 500, and one of the 15 ‘Most Impactful Environmental Lawyers’ in the 2023 ENDS Report Power List, Penny is a leading all-round environmental lawyer. She is best known for her expertise in ‘natural environment’ law, in particular the regulation of protected habitats, protected species, water resources, air quality and environmental impact assessments. Penny was also named The Times Lawyer of the Week in 2022 for her win in the Harris v The Environment Agency case where the court ruled that the Habitats Directive, despite Brexit, is still enforceable against public bodies.

Alongside her work in the Environment Team, Penny set up the Natural Capital Law team at Freeths. This Team works to advise clients on a wide range of Biodiversity Net Gain, Water Neutrality and Nutrient Neutrality issues, spanning the creation of habitat banks to the sale and purchase of units and credits.

Career

2013-present: Partner at Freeths LLP.

2003-2013: Associate Solicitor Safety, Health and Environment Group at DLA Piper.

1999-2003: In house lawyer at Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

1995-1999: Trainee / Assistant Solicitor at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Professional Memberships

Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (present)

UK Environmental Law Association’s Nature Conservation Group (Chairperson 2008-2013).

Royal Commission for Environmental Pollution – asked to peer review ‘Adapting to Climate Change’ report.

Publications

The High Court’s decision in the Fry case holds that habitats regulations assessment required at discharge of planning condition state – Freeths LLP.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG): Opportunities for Landowners and Hurdles for Developers – Freeths LLP.

Extended biodiversity duty for public authorities now in force – what does it mean? – Freeths LLP.

Challenges for developers and opportunities for landowners: Nutrient Neutrality, Water Neutrality and the Natural Capital Economy – Freeths LLP.

Conservation covenants for the delivery of sustainable development: a new era for environmental law in England – Freeths LLP.