The High Court has ruled on water neutrality – an issue impacting the determination of planning applications across West Sussex and beyond - for the first time. Hot on the heels of ‘nutrient neutrality’ issues and grounded in similar case law, Natural England (NE) raised concerns about groundwater abstraction in the Sussex North Water Supply Zone impacting the integrity of internationally protected sites including the Arun Valley Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation in September 2021...
Shoosmiths LLP
Overview
Shoosmiths is a UK top 30 national law firm with 113 partners and more than 1,500 personnel at offices in London, Birmingham, Basingstoke, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Reading and Solent. Our clients include household name Blue Chip companies, leading financial institutions, public and private sector organisations, and foreign-owned corporates. Recognition includes Best Brand in Practice at the MPF 2007 European Practice Management Awards. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and recently came top of a diversity survey. Our national charity partner for 2008 - 2010 is Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity.
We view ourselves as that little bit different – not in what we do (like many others we are a full service law firm with strength and depth) – but the way we do it - combining professional expertise with a personalised approach, to deliver valued legal services for all our clients. We really value our people - giving them the freedom, recognition and support to succeed - which means our clients enjoy working with us because we are open, accessible and easy to work with.
Notable
Areas of Practice
Professionals
Partners
![Kate Garcia](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/65000/a65332.png)
Kate Garcia
Partner![Sara Hampson](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68586.png)
Sara Hampson
Partner![Tracey Hemingway](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/48000/a48285.png)
Tracey Hemingway
Partner![Kirsten Hewson](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/12000/a12287.png)
Kirsten Hewson
Partner![Stuart Lawrenson](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/12000/a12309.png)
Stuart Lawrenson
Partner![Stuart Little](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/12000/a12247.png)
Stuart Little
Partner![Jo McGuinness](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/66000/a66228.png)
Jo McGuinness
Partner![Mehar Patel](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/65000/a65322.png)
Mehar Patel
Partner![Stephen Porter](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/21000/a21426.png)
Stephen Porter
Partner![Mark Shepherd](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/41000/a41363.png)
Mark Shepherd
Partner![Lisa Sigalet](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/47000/a47500.png)
Lisa Sigalet
Partner![Jonathan Smart](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/52000/a52474.png)
Jonathan Smart
Partner![Paula Swain](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/66000/a66272.png)
Paula Swain
Partner![Sean Wright](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/21000/a21421.png)
Sean Wright
PartnerPrincipal Associates
![Laura Austin](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68747.png)
Laura Austin
Senior Associate![Luke Coleborn](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68781.png)
Luke Coleborn
Principal Associate![Stephen Eastley](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68113.png)
Stephen Eastley
Senior Associate![David Hutber](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/75000/a75885.png)
David Hutber
Senior Associate![Emma Livesey](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/64000/a64071.png)
Emma Livesey
Principal Associate![Hannah Locke](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/71000/a71861.jpg)
Hannah Locke
Senior Associate![Hannah Locke](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/79000/a79387.png)
Hannah Locke
Senior Associate![Grace Mitchell](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68745.png)
Grace Mitchell
Senior Associate![Steve Reading](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/78000/a78735.jpg)
Steve Reading
Principal Associate![Steve Reading](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/79000/a79151.png)
Steve Reading
Principal Associate![Anna Richardson](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/58000/a58050.png)
Anna Richardson
Principal Associate![Jade Souch](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68754.png)
Jade Souch
Senior Associate![Katrina Spolander](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/64000/a64385.png)
Katrina Spolander
Principal Associate![Emily Stocker](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/50000/a50448.png)
Emily Stocker
Principal Associate![Harry Warren](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68732.png)
Harry Warren
Senior AssociateAssociates
![Ashlie Cheshire](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/81000/a81792.png)
Ashlie Cheshire
Associate![Laura Clark](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/81000/a81773.png)
Laura Clark
Associate![Carly Cutler](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/81000/a81769.png)
Carly Cutler
Associate![Hannah Gilling](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/72000/a72004.png)
Hannah Gilling
Associate![Callum Larkin](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/73000/a73389.png)
Callum Larkin
Associate![Matthew Price](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68736.png)
Matthew Price
Associate![Georgia Rowe](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68756.png)
Georgia Rowe
AssociateLegal Directors and Key Support Personnel
![Sian Hoare](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/71000/a71743.png)
Sian Hoare
Legal Director![Julia Ishak](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/71000/a71360.png)
Julia Ishak
Legal Director![Jess Ready](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/50000/a50446.png)
Jess Ready
Legal Director![Shelley White](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/65000/a65411.png)
Shelley White
Legal DirectorArticles
Downstream effects and Environmental Impact Assessment – the ripple effect of the Supreme Court’s decision in Finch
The decision of the Supreme Court in R (Finch) -v- Surrey County Council and others [2024] UKSC 20 (Finch) has set a clear benchmark for the scope of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) undertaken in connection with carbon intensive developments in the UK. However, the Finch case is not just relevant to projects concerning fossil fuel extraction. It is likely to have wider implications because of what the Supreme Court had to say about the meaning of “effect” and establishing the chain of causation...
Press
Shoosmiths advises Housing Growth Partnership on £120m joint venture with Watkin Jones
Shoosmiths advises Housing Growth Partnership on £120m joint venture with Watkin JonesThe Lloyds-backed equity investor has joined forces with Watkin Jones to develop a 397-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Stratford, East London. With a Gross Development Value of £120m, the project is designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating. The scheme will also include 2,000m2 of commercial space, outdoor areas, and amenities - enhancing the public realm with wildlife-friendly landscaping and greenery...
Shoosmiths boosts 2024 NQ rates
Shoosmiths has increased its salaries for newly qualified (NQ) lawyers, upping pay by 8% (from £90,000 to £97,000) in London and by 5% regionally in England to £63,000. In Scotland and Belfast, the firm also raised its NQ rates to £57,000 and £37,500 respectively.The increases in base salaries, effective from November as part of the firm’s pay review, reflect applicable market dynamics and Shoosmiths' desire to attract the best of the next generation of lawyers. Salary increases are just one of the ways Shoosmiths demonstrates its commitment to supporting and nurturing its junior talent...