This area covers the regulation and use of natural resources in England, including energy, minerals, water and environmental matters. A solicitor in this field drafts and negotiates licenses, permits and access rights, reviews project approvals, and deals with regulators such as the Environment Agency, the Oil & Gas Authority and Ofgem. They advise on compliance, environmental impact, land access and compensation, and handle disputes over licensing, funding, and regulatory investigations. Work often shapes how energy and resource projects proceed and how risks are managed.
What a solicitor handles in these matters
The solicitor handles licensing regimes, environmental permits, interaction with regulators, and potential disputes over access, compensation or land rights. They navigate complex statutory schemes, consultation requirements and procedural deadlines, coordinating with landowners, developers and public bodies to secure approvals and resolve issues that could stall projects.