What We Do

"Matheson Ormsby Prentice sets the benchmark for standards in Ireland"
European Legal 500

Our Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) team is led by partners Nicola Dunleavy and Paul Glenfield. The team has built up extensive experience advising clients on compliance with Ireland’s complex EHS regulatory requirements. We have local industry knowledge and market leading sector expertise in EHS matters. We have wide-ranging experience of working with technical and financial advisers.

The sectors in which we advise include: manufacturing, chemicals, pharmaceutical, IT, oil and gas, waste, food and drink, health, medical devices, transport, water and wastewater.

• legal advisor to the Irish Health and Safety Authority (HSA) since 2002. Advising the HSA on statutory powers and compliance, regulatory investigations, enforcement, court applications and codes of practice.
• advising multinational clients on establishing EHS organisational structures and procedures in relation to risk assessments, EHS auditing, compliance and safety statements.
• acting for a major multinational client in relation to an explosion at its plant, and investigation by the HSA and the defence of criminal proceedings.
• successfully defended a multinational company in six criminal prosecutions by the EPA for breach of an IPPC permit in relation to wastewater discharge.
• advising on potential civil and criminal liability of directors (including shadow directors), officers, employees, shareholders arising from EHS incidents and prosecutions.
• advising the HSA on enforcement issues under Irish and EU chemicals legislation.
• representing the HSA and private sector clients in relation to workplace accidents, including prosecuting injunctions to close unsafe work premises.
• advising multinational clients in the pharmaceutical, energy, mining and food & drink sectors on legal obligations and compliance under IPPC licences, including interacting with the EPA and advising on the interpretation of EPA BAT Guidance notes and European Commission BREFs.
• in mergers, acquisitions and asset sales in the chemicals, energy, mining, pharmaceutical, waste, IT and food & drink and other sectors, leading vendor and purchaser EHS due diligence, advising on EHS liability and negotiating EHS warranties and indemnities.
• advising clients on interacting with regulatory bodies to obtain, surrender, transfer or amend EHS consents, IPPC licences and other manufacturing permits; advising on the negotiation of financial guarantees and bonds with regulators to cover remediation, closure and aftercare obligations.
• advising a multinational mining company on, and due diligence of, Environmental Liability Risk Assessments (ELRA), Residual Management Planning (RMP), Closure, Remediation and Aftercare Plans (CRAMP) and associated financial provision for planned/anticipated environmental liabilities and unexpected events.
• advising a leading global utility on EHS warranty claims arising from an asset sale and a related arbitration under the ICC Rules. Advising on claims regarding flooding and asbestos contamination.
• advising multinational companies on the control of dangerous and toxic waste including liability for unlawful discharges, and the procedures and strategies to be adopted in obtaining relevant EHS permits.
• advising financial institutions on EHS liabilities relating to the transport of dangerous substances and potential liabilities arising from the spillage of oil, coal, iron ore and other bulk cargo.
• advising a global facilities management company on liabilities regarding the on-site presence and remediation of asbestos, including advising on obligations for transportation and disposal.
• advising oil and gas companies on the Seveso COMAH regime and on compliance with EHS regulations regarding the activities of delivery of oil by sea, oil pipeline, oil storage and transport in terms of emergency response planning.
• advising a healthcare institution on potential environmental claims and on contaminated land issues arising from hazardous medical waste.
• representing clients in High Court judicial review and injunction proceedings in EHS permit and compliance matters.

“The firm has a strong health and safety practice". Clients are drawn from diverse industry sectors and include prestigious Irish and multinational companies.
European Legal 500

Nicola Dunleavy is a “commercially astute, constructive adviser,” and a “great communicator.”
Chambers Europe 2010

Highly Recommended Planning and Environmental Law Firm
Planning and Environment: Plc Which Lawyer 2009/2010

Paul Glenfield is “highly experienced and commercial”. Paul is singled out by clients as being “proactive and effective.”
European Legal 500 2010

Siobhra Rush is praised for her “attention to detail and extremely clear, well thought out advice”
Employment: Chambers Europe 2010