Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Environment Agency (England): enforcement powers, compliance duties, investigations and priorities—practical guidance for lawyers advising regulated operators

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes

What is the Environment Agency?

The Environment Agency (EA) is an executive non-departmental public body, created in 1996 and sponsored by the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is tasked with protecting and enhancing the environment in England, and held comparable responsibilities in Wales prior to 2013. Alongside the EA, other regulators, such as local authorities, also have powers to enforce environmental legislation.

Summary of objectives

The EA presents itself as the leading public body for protecting and improving England’s environment, aiming to create better places for people and wildlife while enabling sustainable development. Its corporate report identifies three long-term goals:

a nation resilient to climate change
healthy air, land and water
green growth and a sustainable future

These priorities align with central government’s 25 Year Environment Plan 2018, as updated by later Environmental Improvement Plans, and the Environment Act 2021. The EA’s remit covers regulation of major industry and waste, the treatment of contaminated land, water quality and resource management, fisheries, and responsibilities for inland river and estuary...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Angus Evers

Shoosmiths

Angus qualified as a solicitor in 1999 and has been the head of the environmental law practice at national law firm Shoosmiths LLP since 2016. Prior to that he was a partner in the planning and environment group at King & Wood Mallesons (formerly SJ Berwin). He specialises in advising on the environmental, health and safety aspects of major infrastructure projects and corporate, banking and real estate transactions. He has particular expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and has advised clients including operators and developers of power stations, wind farms (both onshore and offshore), LNG terminals, ports, and underground and undersea gas storage facilities, as well as public sector and government organisations. His work includes drafting and negotiating warranties, indemnities and agreements on environmental liability. He also has considerable experience in areas as diverse as contaminated land, waste management, asbestos...

Philip Ryan

Shoosmiths

Philip is a specialist compliance and criminal defence lawyer described as a ‘standout name’ by The Legal 500. Advising clients during regulatory investigations, he works in the automotive, construction, FMCG, retail & leisure, tobacco, manufacturing, and life sciences sectors.Recent examples of his work include:-advising several global businesses on responses to investigations into bribery, fraud, criminal offences and disclosures to key regulators;securing the acquittal of a senior manager charged with health and safety offences as part of a corporate manslaughter trial following an explosion at a recycling plant;successfully defending white goods manufacturers in investigations by the National Measurement Office regarding energy labelling and efficiency of products;advising an international retailer on its response to the horsemeat scandal and dealing with associated contractual issues with suppliers;advising a major tobacco company on changes required under plain packaging legislation and the development of...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...