Bond Pearce

Regulation and compliance pose significant and onerous challenges for energy companies – particularly when you add competition law (as anti-trust law is called in the UK) into the equation. We have the depth and breadth of expertise to enable your business to manage whatever issues come your way, from health and safety to environmental pollution and the regulatory compliance minefield. Our regulatory team comprises recognised national leaders in this field. We worked with both the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency as the Joint Competent Authority in the Buncefield explosion prosecutions.

Environment

Our environment practice spans advisory, regulatory, planning, energy, commercial and corporate work. The team can advise on all aspects of waste management and environmental issues, including contaminated land, strategic environmental assessment, nature conservation and impacts from project construction and pollution.

Health and Safety

The team is trusted by a wide range of energy clients seeking advice or facing investigation and / or prosecution, clients have rightly come to expect the rare combination of industry knowledge, commercial acumen and health, safety and environmental expertise.

Competition

We advise on competition law as it affects a wide spectrum of agreements, collaborations and behavioural practices, including defending abuse of dominance and cartel investigations in front of the authorities and court, as well as competition law arbitration.

advising a major gas supplier on the enforceability of a restriction in a third party gas pipeline access agreement
advising on a gas dedication clause under competition law to determine enforceability
advising a gas producer on the legality of a long-term exclusive supply arrangement and price regulation issues under EU and Polish law
representing the Competent Authority in the investigation and prosecution arising from the explosions at Buncefield Oil Terminal, including advice as to the nature and extent of statutory powers, Freedom of Information issues, the COMAH regime and disclosure issues
preparing Critical Incident Policies to be deployed by companies in the event of Corporate Manslaughter or Health and Safety at Work Act investigations
representing a wind farm operator in an investigation into a fatality
advising on the applicability and suitability of the current health and safety regime in relation to wind energy projects of the Channel Islands
acting for clients who are the subject of an investigation and enforcement action in relation
assisting clients such as The Crown Estate to have a systematic approach to health, safety and the environment management