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Michael Barlow

Partner

About

Michael heads the Burges Salmon Environment team, leads the cross-firm water sector team and chairs the firm’s ESG client services offering.

He has decades of experience in environmental law, having acted for both private sector and public sector clients. He is equally comfortable advising on contentious and non-contentious matters and has taken cases through all levels of the UK courts to the Supreme court. He is particularly adept at applying existing legal concepts into developing areas of law – this is frequently necessary in environmental law as well as the developing area of ESG.

Michael is recognised for his deep sector knowledge in the water sector and leads on the client relationships with a number of statutory water undertakers as well as acting for other players in the sector.

He is a frequent contributor to environmental and water journals and talks widely on the subjects. He is a former editor of the Environmental Law Review and trustee of the Environmental Law Foundation.

Experience

Environmental investigations and prosecutions: Advising on all stages of environmental investigations, including advising on interviews under caution, civil sanctions and enforcement undertakings. Making pleas in mitigation in Magistrates’ Courts.
Environmental Permitting: Advising on all aspects of environmental permitting, including legal reviews of applications and appeals against decisions on environmental permits, including enforcement.
Product Stewardship: Advising on the full variety of regulatory regimes, including REACH and CLP, WEEE, RoHS, EPR (Packaging) and ELV.
M&A and other transactions: Assisting on transactional support, including conducting due diligence reviews, advising on contractual wording and assisting with the placement of environmental insurance.
Water: Advising those in the water sector on environmental and regulatory issues.
ESG: Advising on ESG compliance and strategy.

Credentials

Admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales (1996)

Areas of expertise

Sector focus

Office

“Michael Barlow is a brilliant environmental lawyer who always adds value. He is a great litigation strategist and has a cool pair of hands.”

Chambers UK, 2025

“Mike Barlow is an excellent partner - well informed on the law; tireless in seeking good outcomes for clients without the need for expensive litigation. He has careful client care skills; he knows when to seek help and who to ask - his teamwork skills are top notch.”

Legal 500 UK, 2025