Overview

Michael joined Burges Salmon in 1994 as a trainee. Having worked for four years on qualification dealing with real estate disputes, he joined the environment team in 2001. He was made a partner in 2009. 

Michael covers contentious and non-contentious business for a range of clients from a variety of sectors.

He has substantial experience of running cases in criminal courts, tribunals and civil courts to the Supreme Court as well as other methods of dispute resolution including arbitration and mediation. He frequently appears as an advocate.

On the non-contentious side, Michael has particular expertise in energy efficiency, contaminated land and environmental permitting but has advised on a broad range of topics over the last 15 years.

Michael is a former editor of the Environmental Law Review, regularly lectures on environmental law and contributes articles to environmental journals.

Experience
  • Advising a multi-national company on a claim arising from alleged contamination of a reservoir on Guernsey.
  • Advising DECC on the contractual arrangements for its on-line ECO brokerage system.
  • Advising a port company on a claim for compensation arising from the collapse of neighbouring cliffs allegedly cause by a harbour construction.
  • Advising on judicial reviews and nuisance claims arising from a variety of hydropower projects and other schemes.
  • Advising on the defence of environmental prosecutions.
  • Acting for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in its defence of a claim for over £100 million brought be EnergySolutions EU Limited arising from the award of a £7 billion decommissioning contract.

What others say...

Michael is a forward-thinking, pragmatic partner who puts long-term benefits to the client ahead of any other consideration.

Chambers UK 2024