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Sub practice
Sub practice

Contaminated Land

We advise on the full range of contamination issues including the allocation of liabilities (under contract and statute), clean-up issues, negotiations with regulators and third parties and the ring-fencing of liabilities.

We also work with clients on a variety of remediation projects, including advising on contractual arrangements with environmental consultants and remediation contractors.  Our advice concerns liabilities arising from a broad scope of EHS matter such as contaminated land, marine or other waterways pollution and asbestos, across a wide variety of industries, whether as part of a transaction or on a stand alone basis.

We have a strong background in working with clients to manage historical (or legacy) environmental issues, commonly related to contaminated land. We help clients to identify the extent of any retained environmental liabilities and advise on how to mitigate those risks and manage any potential exposures arising from assets, permits and contracts.

The environmental and social responsibility risks in any business are requiring greater attention than ever. Civil liability for environmental damage continues to be a hot topic in Europe and else where.

In this potentially complex area, Allen & Overy’s team has advised on both potential corporate and director liability in respect of environmental and health and safety incidents. Our global coverage makes us particularly well placed to provide multi-jurisdictional advice.

The range of advice that we offer in relation to contaminated land includes:

  • marine offshore and other waterways pollution
  • asbestos
  • remediation projects
  • historical or legacy environmental issues
  • mitigation of risk and exposures from assets, operations, permits and contracts
  • Environmental Liability Directive
  • tortious environmental liability
  • health and safety incidents
  • corporate and director liability for environmental, health and safety matters
  • aftercare and restoration obligations
  • remediation obligations arising from decommissioning of permitted facilities

News and insights

Blocks of ice

Publications: 29 November 2023

Podcast: Key issues to watch at COP 28

COP 28 is a significant milestone. Not only will the conference hear the findings of the first-ever Global Stocktake, which reviews progress against the goals of the Paris Agreement, but extensive…

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Green leaf close up

Publications: 14 November 2023

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new PFAS reporting rule takes effect

On November 13, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s final rule broadening reporting requirements for the “manufacture” of per- and polyfluoroalky substances (PFAS) (the PFAS…

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Close up plug power vehicle electric EV car charge battery energy in the station.

Publications: 14 November 2023

Allen & Overy’s Jillian Ashley discusses EV sales growth rate and consumer incentives with MarketWatch

Allen & Overy U.S. Projects, Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure (PENRI) partner Jillian Ashley is featured in a MarketWatch SectorWatch video series discussing the reasons behind the…

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Biodiversity; ecosystem protection; CBD COP15; COP26

Blog Post: 21 December 2022

COP15 – A new framework for nature

The path to an agreement has been a long one, requiring the consent of over 190 countries, however, the Global Biodiversity Framework final text has finally been approved.

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Recognition