Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

risk definition

What does risk mean? In legal practice, risk describes the possibility that a reasonably foreseeable circumstance or event could adversely affect legal rights, regulatory compliance, business operations, or the security of systems and data. The term is widely used across legal contexts, with certain regimes articulating it expressly. Cybersecurity: In the EU NIS2 framework (as transposed in Ireland), risk means any reasonably identifiable circumstance or event having a potentially adverse effect on the security of network and information systems. In the UK, the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018 adopt a comparable risk‑based approach to security and incident handling; while “risk” is not defined as...

Environmental liability insurance in England and Wales: when to use it, scope of cover, benefits and procurement for transactions and operations

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes

What is environmental insurance?

Environmental insurance shifts risk by indemnifying the policyholder for Losses arising from potential environmental Liabilities. For property-focused cover, the insured might be the purchaser, the vendor, or both. A standalone environmental policy is often necessary because public liability insurance commonly excludes environmental liabilities, except for sudden, unintended and unexpected pollution incidents. In addition, public liability usually responds only to third party damages and not to remediation of the insured’s own property.

On-site remediation
Off-site remediation
Civil disputes
Legal expenses

Role of insurance

Securing insurance can enable transactions or developments to progress where environmental risks and liabilities exist, by providing financial security and reducing uncertainty. It places the burden of liability with a suitable third-party insurer. Insurance can also support operators of high-hazard facilities in making financial provision for environmental loss.

Key Legislation

There are several key pieces of legislation under which environmental liabilities may arise. The most...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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