We have over 20 years’ experience with an excellent professional reputation working as an expert helping in defending clients with solicitors, faced with regulatory problems. These areas of law are complex and all too often, companies plead guilty if that appears to be the simplest solution. However, the ramifications of that decision rumble on long after the sentence. It is vitally important that all relevant documents are scrutinised at the earliest opportunity. Attention to detail is of paramount importance and no stone should be left unturned. Quite often, a regulator prosecutes for something they were already aware of and had previously provided tacit consent for. This is an abuse of the legal process, which means a prosecution should be stopped. However, without the attention to detail a company may not even realise that consent was provided. More so than in any other area of law, dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s is key to finding the perfect defence.
Likewise, when considering applying for waste permits, companies and individuals should not make the mistake of thinking that it is easier to beg for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission. However, asking for permission can be fraught with problems even if an application is properly prepared. When permit applications are refused, knowing how best to challenge the regulator’s decision is vitally important.
As a specialist solicitor engaged in all types of regulatory, contractual, advisory, due diligence and litigation work in the fields of waste, pollution and industrial law, I have worked with Chris Williamson many times, and have found his technical and commercial acumen in these areas to be absolutely indispensable. Whether (for example) challenging government actions or framing difficult and highly specialist ‘end of waste’ cases, Chris’ many years of in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience of commercial industrial processes and the critical nitty-gritty of practical chemistry, are in my experience an essential part of a successful legal or regulatory process – no more so than when he drove the technical agenda (and heavily influenced the legal strategy) that won the groundbreaking OSS v Environment Agency end of waste ruling in the Court of Appeal. I unhesitatingly recommend him to lawyers and commercial operators working in this area.
I have used Protreat's services over the last few years and have been delighted with the quality of work carried out. As a regulatory lawyer who often requires specialist guidance and assistance on waste management issues, I have found Chris Williamson's knowledge and understanding of environmental legalisation, second to none. I have found Protreat to be accessible, responsive, innovative and above all thorough. Consequently, I have always received a service of the highest quality and would have no hesitation in recommending them to others
I have known Chris Williamson since 2006 and he has provided environmental & waste advice to CSG on an ongoing basis since 2011. His range of consultancy services are extremely diverse including waste treatment process design & build, project finance models, business plans, joint venture agreements, planning applications, permit applications, appeals, regulatory disputes, commercial dispute resolution, End of Waste applications, quasi legal advice, tied oil schemes, new initiatives etc. I have used most, if not all of these services over the past five years to the benefit of the company so I would highly recommend Chris to any organisation requiring expert environmental support and advice in the waste and industrial sectors.
During the last 5 years I have worked with Chris Williamson on environmental permit judicial review proceedings, a permit appeal Public Inquiry, a planning permission appeal and various other cases. Chris is a very able no compromise environmental consultant who will look for many angles to defend a client's best interests in times of adversity