Overview

Our marine lawyers advise leading port providers and local bodies on environmental issues, energy production initiatives, procurement challenges and multi-modal transport solutions. Our cross-sector experience enables us to provide our clients with specialist advice on marine law and its challenges within the transport sector.

We work with our real estate lawyers on significant regeneration projects, acting for developers and local authorities. Our marine lawyers work with both promoters and the supply chain to deliver these projects. Our planning team provides expertise in the delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), as well as legal and regulatory regimes related to marine law. We are also recognised as leaders in the energy sector, particularly in renewables and nuclear.

Working with our commercial lawyers, we advise on port-related commercial arrangements. They have expertise in procurement contracts, subsidy control and disputes relevant to marine law and port development.

Areas of focus

Our marine expertise includes the following:

  • Advising on the real estate, planning and construction issues related to port-based development.
  • Advising on the consenting of new facilities including marine licensing, environmental permitting and abstraction licensing.
  • Advising on environmental impact assessment and habitats regulations assessment related to offshore facilities.
  • Extensive experience of port based energy development, including biomass, solar, onshore and offshore wind.
  • Extensive experience of multi-modal transport issues and solutions.
  • Advising on subsidy control and procurement.
Experience

Advising Noss on Dart Marina on the mixed-use redevelopment of the marina, including residential, retail and employment uses and the Noss Marine Academy.

Advising on the sale of an operational port to another port operator.

Advising Grand Pier Ltd on the acquisition and redevelopment of the Pier after it was destroyed by fire.

Advising Bristol City Council on the development of a significant retail/leisure waterside development in the city centre.

Advising Weymouth and Portland Council on the harbour works required for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Advising Dong Energy on a proposed Harbour Revision Order for a new jetty in the Humber Estuary.

Assisting in promoting the Harbour Revision Order for the £85 million Rosyth container terminal through public inquiry.

Providing energy clients, including Helius Energy plc, RES and Prenergy Power with real estate, planning and regulatory advice relating to the development of port-side energy projects.

Meet the team
Elizabeth Dunn

Elizabeth Dunn Partner

  • Energy and Utilities
  • Infrastructure
  • Real Estate
John Houlden

John Houlden Partner

  • Head of Public Sector
  • Head of Procurement and Subsidy Control
  • Projects
Michael Barlow

Michael Barlow Partner

  • Head of Environment
  • Head of Water
  • Head of ESG
Brian Wong

Brian Wong Partner

  • Rail
  • Highways and Road Transport
  • Judicial Review and Public Law

What others say...

Their key strengths in my opinion are their speed of response combined with a straightforward and pragmatic approach.

Legal 500 2024

Burges Salmon careers

We work hard to make sure Burges Salmon is a great place to work.
Find out more