Powered by Lexis+®
View all Glossary Terms Related Content
CASE STUDY
“I'm able to do more in the day, which means I'm providing more value to my clients - and it's helped my margins in terms of how much I can bill. LexisNexis is helping me make money.”
ParrisWhittakerAccess all documents on Muirburn
Muirburn meaning
What does Muirburn mean?
Muirburn is the controlled burning of heather and other moorland vegetation to manage upland habitats, grazing and game, and to reduce wildfire risk. In legal practice it engages land management, wildlife protection and environmental regulation.
The term is principally Scottish and is used in Scottish legislation and guidance (notably the Muirburn Code). Scottish law prescribes open and closed seasons, restricts or prohibits burning on peatland and designated sites, and generally requires a licence or specific consent for muirburn (particularly on deep peat). Unauthorised burning may constitute a criminal offence and attract regulatory enforcement.
In England and Wales, the analogous activity is termed “heather and grass burning” and is governed by burning regulations and statutory codes. Burning is limited to defined seasons, tightly controlled on Sites of Special Scientific Interest and European sites, and largely prohibited on protected peatlands without consent or licence.
Northern Ireland and Ireland operate similar regimes under wildlife legislation. Burning is generally prohibited during the bird‑nesting season (typically March to August), with licensing/consent and conditions applying outside that period.
Key practical issues include: landowner/occupier permission, notifications and safety planning, peat depth and habitat assessment, designated site consents, agricultural payment cross‑compliance, and liability for wildfire, smoke or habitat damage.
Speed up all aspects of your legal work with tools that help you to work faster and smarter. Win cases, close deals and grow your business–all whilst saving time and reducing risk.
View the related News about Muirburn
NEWS
Weekly UK and EU environmental and ESG legal update: climate, energy, buildings, enforcement, disputes, biodiversity, waste and water—2 May 2024
In this issue: Air emissions and climate change Pollution and contamination Building energy efficiency Energy for environmental lawyers Environmental litigation and proceedings Environmental enforcement and prosecutions Environmental liability, insurance and due diligence ESG and sustainability Nature, biodiversity and habitat protection Waste Producer responsibility schemes for waste Water, flooding and drainage LexTalk®Environment: a Lexis®Nexis community News alerts—daily and weekly Updated and new content Trackers Latest Q&A Useful information Air emissions and climate change Battery deployment key to meet global climate targets In its report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights that batteries are pivotal to delivering global energy and climate ambitions and addressing climate change. By 2030, storage capacity must expand sixfold, with batteries accounting for about 90% of new capacity and the remainder provided by pumped hydropower. See News Analysis: Battery deployment key to meet global climate targets. DfT opens consultation on revenue certainty...
02 May
Read More 
NEWS
Environmental law weekly highlights: UK and EU policy, regulation and case law on emissions, energy, ESG, chemicals, nature restoration, marine and waste — 20 June 2024
In this issue: Air emissions and climate change Contamination and pollution Energy for environmental lawyers ESG and sustainability Hazardous substances and chemicals Marine Nature, biodiversity and habitat conservation Waste Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Trackers Useful information Air emissions and climate change UK ETS Authority extends waste consultation deadline The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Authority has deferred, by two weeks, the consultation on the proposed expansion of the ETS so that it encompasses energy from waste and waste incineration facilities, in order to enable additional engagement with stakeholders following the election. The consultation will now close on 2 August 2024. See: LNB News 14/06/2024 15... The Scottish government publishes progress report on its clearer air strategy The Scottish government has published a progress report on delivering actions to reduce air pollution across Scotland. The report sets out policies for good air quality in Scotland...
20 June
Read More
NEWS
UK and EU environmental law weekly: climate targets, EPC reforms, nuclear CfDs, EIA screening, enforcement, PFAS/REACH, water and waste—12 March 2026
In this issue: Air emissions and climate change Energy efficiency and buildings Energy for environmental lawyers Environmental assessment Environmental enforcement and prosecutions Environmental information Environmental taxes, reliefs and incentives ESG and sustainability Hazardous substances and chemicals Nature, biodiversity and habitat conservation Waste Water, flooding and drainage Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Air emissions and climate change Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Auctioning (Amendment) Regulations 2026 SI 2026/214: These amend the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Auctioning Regulations 2021, SI 2021/484, updating the auction reserve price for inflation by raising it from £22 to £28, and introducing an automatic yearly uplift from 1 January 2027 linked to the annual GDP deflator. In force from 8 April 2026. See: LNB News 09/03/2026 29. Council of the EU adopts amended European Climate Law with binding 2040 target: The Council of the European Union has approved amendments to Regulation...
12 March
Read More 
