Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Liabilities definition

What does Liabilities mean? In practice, a scheme’s liabilities are what it owes: the future benefit payments (for example, pensions and lump sums) and the scheme’s expenses. They are usually measured as the present value of expected cashflows, determined by an actuary using assumptions on discount rate, longevity, inflation and expenses. Comparing liabilities with the market value of assets gives the funding level: a deficit arises where liabilities exceed assets; a surplus where assets exceed liabilities. “Liabilities” is a descriptive term used across legal, actuarial and accounting contexts rather than a single statutory definition. However, valuation bases are prescribed for particular purposes. In...

UK environmental law: a new-starter practitioner guide to principles, sources, regimes, climate change, enforcement, liabilities and transactional issues

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note offers an introduction to environmental law. It is directed at trainee solicitors and others who are new to environment as a field of practice. The contents of this Practice Note are also available in the form of a PowerPoint presentation and accompanying speaker notes—see Practice Note: Introduction to environmental law—training materials.

What is environmental law?

Environmental law comprises the legal framework designed to safeguard or improve the environment. Environment, as a practice area, is wide-ranging and includes matters such as, among many other related topics:

pollution prevention
waste management
producer responsibility
water quality and flooding
control of harmful substances
brownfield development
wildlife protection and nature conservation
energy efficiency and climate change mitigation and adaptation

Because many environmental issues, including air pollution and the trade in endangered species, cross national borders, regulation is frequently needed at national, EU and international levels.

Development of environmental law

History of environmental law

Legislative environmental controls have a long pedigree and can be traced to private law principles that protect private property and shared resources, such as water. The Industrial Revolution led to the growth of public controls concerned with environmental protection, especially in response to public health problems stemming from contamination...

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

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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 ]...