

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
Explore our services
- Crisis Management
- Environmental Health and Safety Regulation and Compliance Law
- Emissions and Carbon Trading
- Environmental Disclosure and Corporate Environmental Transparency
- Environmental and Climate Change Litigation
- Export Controls
News and insights

Publications: 26 January 2023
Podcast: Environmental and sustainability outlook 2023
Join our global environmental and sustainability experts as we discuss the trends and outlook across some of our major jurisdictions for 2023. We look at developments across the UK, Europe,…

Publications: 24 January 2023
EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive: The countdown has started
Following complex negotiations in Brussels, the EU has finally approved the long-awaited Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (the CSRD).

Publications: 18 January 2023
EU agrees on new deforestation-free regulation
Operators and traders of commodities such as coffee, cocoa and wood should start preparing for the new EU Regulation on deforestation-free supply chains. The new Regulation requires detailed due…

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.
Recognition
Allen & Overy are market leaders.
Chambers Europe 2016 (Regulatory: Environment)
The quality of the work is very high and they are able and competent lawyers.
Chambers UK 2016 (Environment)
Very good on oil and gas environmental work.
Chambers UK 2016 (Environment)