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Environmental crime

Expert criminal law advice on responding to complex and business critical investigations and enforcement action by the Environment Agency.

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Overview Services Our team Our work What others say

We advise corporates and their boards and directors on responding to complex and business critical issues relating to environmental crime, with particular expertise in environmental permitting, water pollution and waste.

Having advised on some of the largest investigations in recent times, including the largest ever investigation by the Environment Agency, we specialise in emergency response and crisis management, internal investigations and legal privilege, corporate and director liability, engagement with the Agency and responding to complex and high-profile investigations and prosecutions.

We combine a deep pedigree in the criminal law with real environmental law expertise and broad sector experience, supporting you through the challenging and often unfamiliar landscape, always protecting your interests and striving to resolve matters effectively and efficiently.

Services

Dawn raids and site inspections

Information requests and voluntary interviews

Production orders and compulsory questioning

Interviews under caution

Corporate and director liability

Prosecutions, confiscation and civil recovery

Our team

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Examples of our work

Water and sewerage company

Responding to the largest ever criminal investigation by the Environment Agency into widescale water pollution; parallel Ofwat investigation into the avoidance of around £100 million in penalties.

International commodities agent

Advising on the criminal investigation by the Environment Agency into the alleged unlawful export of waste to India.

International food manufacturer

Advising on proactive engagement with the water regulator concerning the historical and ongoing unpermitted discharge of trade effluent.

Energy from waste plant

Advising on the criminal investigation by the Environment Agency into allegations of the unpermitted deposit, storage and treatment of controlled waste; related judicial review of the Agency’s use of a stop notice and approach to ‘end of waste’.

Statutory water undertakers

Advising on responding to the Environment Agency’s wide-ranging investigation into water pollution and the use of combined sewer overflows.

Waste recycling company

Advising on the criminal investigation by the Environment Agency into the removal and unlawful disposal of hazardous refrigeration equipment containing CFCs.

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What others say

“Fielding a team spread across London and Bristol, Burges Salmon‘s corporate crime and investigations team excels in its representation of corporates in a range of complex and often national financial crime cases, criminal cases surrounding environmental and health and safety legislation including corporate manslaughter issues, and cross-border sanctions matters.”

Legal 500 2025

“The Burges Salmon environmental litigation team is perhaps the best in England for this kind of work. They’ve got real experts, with the backing of a good firm to resource litigation matters when the work needs extra lawyers brought in.”

Chambers UK 2024

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Insights

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