Our dedicated environmental and planning unit can provide specialist advice, assistance, guidance and solutions to our clients in all areas of environmental and planning law. Environmental and planning law impacts in a wide variety of circumstances including property acquisition, share and asset purchases, commercial activities, dispute resolutions, EU law, regulatory law and health and safety law. 

Environmental Law

The broadening impact of environmental law has increased substantially over the years with Ireland becoming a “greener” and more environmentally conscious country in which to live and to set up business.

Our team of experienced practitioners act for a large number of individuals, national companies and international corporations all with specialist concerns and requirements in the area of environmental law.  Our team has vast experience in all areas of environmental law which include:

• Compliance with Irish environmental legislation and European directives and regulations
• Information on compliance with the newly introduced building energy rating regulations
• Waste management including compliance with waste packaging and advising on the obligations of producers and distributors pursuant to the Waste Management (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2005 
• Habitats and natural heritage
• Environmental warranties in prospective acquisitions
• Environmental due diligence
• Environmental licences and permissions
• Environmental liability
• Prosecuting and defending enforcement proceedings

Planning Law

Planning law is administered through the Local Authority with an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, and in certain cases, may be subject to judicial review by the High Court.  Our planning team provide their expertise and advices to a wide range of clients including individuals, businesses, limited companies, other corporate entities, local authorities and statutory bodies across the broad spectrum of planning law issues including: 

• Compliance with the Planning Acts including the Local and Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963 to 1999, the Planning and Developments Acts 2000, the Building Bye-Laws, the Building Control Act 1990 and all amending legislation and regulations
• Planning applications and appeals
• Exempted developments
• Unauthorised developments Applications for retention permissions
• Development plans
• Estate planning
• Compulsory purchase
• Protected structures and special areas of architectural preservation
• Planning due diligence
• Planning warranties
• Planning injunctions
• Enforcement proceedings and litigation including judicial review.
   

“Holmes O'Malley Sexton provides a level of service that is ‘very good in every way’. It acts for numerous developers and state bodies in planning and development.”
The Legal 500 2011 - Planning and Environment.