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 handling damage claims in developing countries. Its lawyers frequently advise on multiparty actions.

Work Highlights

Provided by Leigh Day
  • The firm represented the Ogale and Billecommunities in Nigeria in a £100 million suit claiming land and water contamination following oil spills from Shell's pipelines.

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.

"Martyn is the best of the best. He is a master strategist and negotiator."

"Martyn is at the absolute top in terms of knowledge and experience of claimant group actions. He is very tactically astute."

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 highly experienced and knowledgeable environmental lawyer whose background in the environmental NGO sector makes her stand out nationally as uniquely placed."

"She is a delight to work with and one of the most competent and knowledgeable lawyers."

"She has the unique perspective of understanding nature conservation issues and an ability to apply the appropriate legislative insight to each case. She also works hard."

"Carol provides outstanding client communication. She has impressive knowledge of specialist environmental law. I can't speak highly enough of the service provided."

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 on cross-border cases and is adept at advising communities in the developing world.

"Dan is an exceptional partner. He is utterly committed to his cases and will relentlessly pursue a just outcome for his clients."

Richard Meeran
2
Richard Meeran
2
Band 2

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 is impressive and respected. He is responsible for paving the way in this space. Clients benefit from his directness and tactical approach."

"Richard Meeran has unmatched experience and tactical nous in class actions and group litigation."

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 great strategic thinker, often seeing the big picture and having the genius ideas when others are stuck in the detail. She is always good humoured and delightful. She is a true leader!"

"Tessa is a star and we adore working with her. She is smart, fun, dynamic and determined."

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.

"Rowan is really excellent. We have really appreciated his work."

"Rowan has strong legal knowledge, excellent relationships with clients and great judgement. Without being stubborn, he has a doggedness which makes him highly effective in our team."

"Rowan is extremely knowledgeable and very experienced in environmental and climate change matters. He is a team player, great with clients and always on hand. He is a real pleasure to work with."

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.

"I love working with Tom. He exudes common sense alongside his clear legal expertise. He is great for lateral thinking and new ideas. He always comes to problems with a fresh approach."

"Tom is brilliant to work with. He shares our passion and determination to get things done and always delivers."

Ricardo Gama
Associates to watch

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

"Ricardo has shown himself to be a top environmental claimant lawyer. His energy, enthusiasm and passion for innovation in environmental law is obvious."

"Ricky has been immediately responsive and professional throughout all of our dealings. He is a very pleasant person to engage with."

"Ricky is an absolute pleasure to work with. He is intelligent, responsive, helpful and friendly, which is the perfect combination to guide us through some complex issues."

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
2
Richard Meeran
2
Band 2
Tessa Gregory
2
Tessa Gregory
2
Band 2
Rowan Smith
Rowan Smith
Star Associates
Tom Short
Tom Short
Star Associates
Ricardo Gama
Associates to watch

Members

Provided by Leigh Day