Working closely with our legal advisors, Leigh Day Solicitors’ environment team, David Wolfe KC of Matrix Chambers and various junior barristers, we research potential strategic challenges to:

• Regulations, policy statements, consultations and other government instruments that fail to meet, or are inconsistent with, their legal obligations to prevent pollution.
• The action, or inaction, of regulators such as the Environment Agency and other public bodies.

Every year, the UK exports 300,000 tonnes of used tyres—many of which end up in toxic, unregulated dumps overseas.

Under the current system, tyres are classified as ‘Green List’ waste, meaning they can be freely shipped to countries like India without proper checks or oversight. But the truth is, many of these tyres are not being properly recycled. Instead, they are burned in unsafe conditions, poisoning communities, workers, and the environment with toxic fumes.

We are currently developing further cases, including:
 

• PFAS effluent from industrial sites in two UK locations, involving close collaboration with investigative journalists, whistleblowers, local communities, and academic researchers.
• The state of UK chemical regulation, the increasing divergence of UK and EU REACH, stalled progress addressing flame retardants, and other sources of toxins.

Join us in our fight to protect vital water resources from harmful pollutants. Discover how we’re taking action against industrial offenders.