Shoosmiths LLP

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...

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...

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 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...