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Providing comprehensive solutions to the water sector across all legal areas, based on a deep knowledge of the sector.
These challenges include delivering and improving water infrastructure for water supply and dealing with wastewater against evolving regulatory frameworks, environmental obligations, climate change, population growth, the need to adopt new technologies, maintain existing infrastructure and deliver new solutions all against a challenging financial situation.
Burges Salmon is widely recognised as having a preeminent water practice. Our cross-firm Water Sector team acts on a variety of high-profile instructions for clients across the sector, including statutory undertakers, licensees and companies within the supply chain. Our team has a detailed understanding of the key legislation affecting the sector and how relevant regulators operate in practice.
We regularly advise on a range of commercial matters such as framework agreements, procurement processes, employment and pensions, corporate governance, IT projects, and dispute resolution. We also provide guidance on regulatory submissions, licence applications, and defending investigations or prosecutions for regulatory breaches, including health and safety matters.
We are increasingly advising on large infrastructure projects (Strategic Resilience Options). This requires advice on consenting, through the Development Consent Order route, funding through the SIPR or DPC routes, and knowledge of the RAPID process for obtaining regulatory consents.
Our market-leading environment team also advises on water law, including defending water pollution prosecutions and managing abstraction licences and flooding claims. Our regulatory team also advises on interactions with Ofwat, including in relation to enforcement processes.
Our water services ensure comprehensive support and guidance tailored to your specific needs.
Advising on the promotion of Strategic Resilience options including the DCO, DPC and RAPID processes.
Advising statutory water and sewerage undertakers on regulatory requirements, including investigations related to OFWAT, DWI, the HSE and EA.
Advising on competition issues within the competitive segments of the water and sewerage markets.
Advising water and sewerage undertakers on environmental, planning, employment, real estate, and renewable energy projects.
Providing legal support to contractors on construction projects specific to the water sector.
Advising on appeals, compliance, trading arrangements, and judicial reviews for impoundment and abstraction licences.
Thought leadership
17 February 2025
Thought leadership
31 January 2025
Responsible business
27 September 2023
