An environmental law expert from Stephensons Solicitors LLP will provide businesses with advice on avoiding environmental prosecutions at Pro Manchester’s legal breakfast seminar on January 29th from 8am – 9.30am.
Julie Goulbourne was a prosecutor for the Environment Agency for eleven years before moving to private practice to represent businesses facing action. Julie will outline some simple measures businesses can take to put themselves in the best possible position to avoid environmental offences.
The seminar will outline the enforcement regime and focus on key areas that result in the most common environmental incidents ranging from spills into surface water drains, to ensuring that any waste is disposed of lawfully. Julie will explain what will happen if a business is found in breach of legislation, including some forthcoming changes to Sentencing Guidelines that are likely to increase the fines imposed by courts.
Julie said: “Breach of environmental legislation can be costly to a business in terms of fines and legal costs, but often the bigger impact on business is the adverse publicity arising from an environmental incident or court appearance. Whilst some types of business have an obvious potential to impact upon the environment, such as those in the waste management industry, others who do not fall into this category can find themselves facing enforcement action for breach of legislation they did not even know existed.”
“This seminar is a great way for businesses to make themselves aware of the most common types of environmental offence so they can take steps to address any potential for mistakes within their own business. It may also be useful for those in the professional sector who advise businesses to gain some knowledge of issues which could affect their clients.”
Those wishing to attend should visit www.pro-manchester.co.uk or call 0161 833 0964 to register attendance.