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Penny Simpson

Partner | Sheffield

“She has extensive knowledge of the protected species legislation.” “Penny understands the complex, key issues quickly and well.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024

Call: 0345 017 1133 Mobile: 0791 876 7811

About Penny

Penny has lead a Freeths team which has recently won a landmark environmental case in Harris vs Environment Agency. The High Court ruled that key European nature conservation laws remain enforceable against the Environment Agency (and by implication other public bodies), despite the UK having left the EU. Click here > to read our press release.

Having trained in the City (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s environment team) and with 20 years’ experience in both private practice and in-house roles, Penny is a solid and experienced all-round environmental lawyer with particular expertise in “natural environment” law.

Within the “natural environment” niche, she has built a strong, national reputation in advising a wide range of private and public sector clients. She advises on the regulation of protected habitats, protected species, water resources, air quality and environmental impact assessment. Her clients are most often developers, environmental consultancies, mineral sector operators and water sector operators. Penny works with clients to overcome the constraints imposed by natural environment law so as to deliver planning permissions and the other environmental consents they need (e.g. protected species licences, environmental permits, abstraction licences).

She also advises local authorities, objectors and environmental organisations on these issues. She has significant experience in defending public and private sector clients when faced with environmental-related regulatory or criminal proceedings. These could be brought by the Environment Agency, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, the Forestry Commission or the police (e.g. pollution offences, protected species offences, breaches of permits/licences).

More generally, she advises on the environmental aspects of property and company transactions where she negotiates to limit her client’s environmental liabilities. She also has significant experience in health and safety law and frequently advises her clients on health and safety compliance.

Penny is recognised as a Leading Individual in Chambers & Partners (2024 edition). She is listed as a Recommended Lawyer and Leading Individual in the Legal 500 (2024 edition) for Real Estate Environment.

Memberships: 

  • Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management

Notable work & expertise

Testimonials

  • CT

    “Penny is unique in my experience; not only does she have and unparalleled expertise of her discipline but she combines that knowledge with an acut...

    Client Testimonial

  • CT

    “I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the splendid work you did in securing our newt licence to the time scales required. I have no dou...

    Client Testimonial

  • CT

    “As for the course [Penny Simpson’s legal training course for environmental/ecological consultants/other professionals], it was 11/10. Brilliant. I...

    Client Testimonial

  • “She frequently advises real estate developers and local authorities on regulatory issues and is also recommended for contentious matters, includin...

    Chambers & Partners

    2023

  • “Penny Simpson is noted for her command of the law concerning natural environment and biodiversity protection.”

    Chambers & Partners

    2023

  • “Penny Simpson has an unparalleled grasp of environmental and habitats regulations and would rate her as a market leader in this field. She has a f...

    The Legal 500

    2022

  • “Penny Simpson has an impressive knowledge of protected species legislation and experience of working on a broad range of projects for various clie...

    The Legal 500

    2022

  • “Freeths certainly know their stuff on environment law! Penny Simpson is the leader of a great team.”

    The Legal 500

    2022

  • “Penny Simpson has a tenacious and incisively intelligent approach, which very obviously put all the other legal representatives involved into the...

    Chambers & Partners

    2023

  • “Penny is thorough and thinks of everything, down to the minute details. She is very impressive.” “Penny is able to quickly assess complex situatio...

    Chambers & Partners

    2022

Related news & articles

1 of 1
  • Article

    Habitats Directive: Impact of the CG Fry case on the Harris Case

  • News

    Freeths’ achieves double accolade with two lawyers named in prestigious UK list of the most influential environmental professionals

  • News

    Freeths’ strengthens its East Midlands planning practice with senior hire

  • News

    Freeths planning for success in Bristol with senior hire

  • Article

    Nutrient Neutrality: Michael Gove’s proposed amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill and the implications for developers

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