Simon leads the firm's environment team and is also head of the firm's utility sector. He specialises in all aspects of UK, EU and international environmental law and policy. Simon has extensive experience across a range of sectors and regularly advises both private and public sector organisations. His advice extends to matters such as the allocation of environmental risk and liability associated with the sale and acquisitions of contaminated sites, advising waste operators on the application of transfrontier shipment of waste controls, supporting environmental insurance providers with the preparation of policies for EU and international environmental risk cover and working with utility providers in relation to environmental enforcement following environmental incidents, as well as helping clients to access and negotiate civil sanctions such as enforcement undertakings.
Simon is particularly well known for his work and expertise in the waste and resources sector.
Simon speaks and publishes regularly on environmental issues. Simon helps to convene the NW UKELA group, sits on the UKELA Litigation Working Party and supports projects involving DEFRA, SEPA and other regulators, he also works very closely with IEMA and writes regularly for the Environmentalist, he is also a co-opted member of the CIWMs NW committee and writes a regular column for the CIWM journal.
Simon is also actively involved in working with central government agencies such as DEFRA and other bodies such as the Sentencing Council to lobby for changes and improvements in environmental regulation, particularly around sanctions for environmental offences and waste.
Simon has developed the firm’s market leading 24/7 EDAS service (Environmental Defence and Advisory Service) which provides clients with round the clock support in relation to environmental incidents and compliance.
Simon has been with the firm since November 2013 and in that time has succeeded in attracting a number of significant new clients to the firm – Certas Energy, Viridor, Pennon Group, South East Water, Mersey Recycling and Waste Authority and others.
Published articles
Following our third General Counsel roundtable discussion, we outline the key themes that emerged.
Following our second General Counsel roundtable discussion, we outline the key themes that emerged from a very insightful conversation
Following our cyber security roundtable discussion in February, here, we look at the key themes that emerged from a very insightful conversation
The recent Court of Appeal judgment ruled that landowners may be entitled to sue under the law of private nuisance if Japanese Knotweed on…
Is there a risk of smart meters being used to gather digital data that could fall in to the wrong hands? Simon Colvin assesses the threat.
Legal directory quote
Simon Colvin is "commercial, responsive and has a good grasp of business needs and excellent knowledge of environmental law". Legal 500 2019