Firm gains from UK's promise to reduce waste and carbon emissions

Nabarro has been reappointed by two County Councils to advise on a £2bn waste management private finance initiative (PFI) project.

The firm beat rivals including Walker Morris, Trowers & Hamlins, Bevan Brittan and Mills & Reeve to win the mandate from Essex County Council and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. Details of the project's lenders are still to be confirmed.

The project, called Essex Waste Partnership, will see Nabarro help local authorities meet landfill obligations and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Partner James Snape is leading the Nabarro team alongside associates Stephanie McDonald and Sima Dad.

The firm was originally appointed in 2004 by Essex County Council, with the current term running for the next three to four years. The project will include design, construction and operation of hi-tech waste treatment plants over the next 25-30 years.

Nabarro launched its waste group two years ago with lawyers from the firm's projects and environment group and has been targeting work from local authorities and contractors ever since.

Snape told Legal Week: "There will be a big push for these projects in the next couple of years as the UK attempts to meet its EU-outlined landfill diversion obligations by 2020. We would certainly like to see ourselves working on the bulk of the projects coming through from the Government."

Nabarro advises five waste  management companies in the UK, including Biffa and Shanks Group and is also working on another 12 PFI projects worth more than £2bn combined.

By 2020, the UK has agreed to reduce the amount of waste put into landfill sites by 85%, compared with 1996 levels.

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