Released on = May 1, 2006, 3:54 pm

Press Release Author = Manches LLP

Industry = Law

Press Release Summary = The Environmental Regulations and Environmental Liability
seminar will be held at Manches' Oxford office at the Oxford Business Park North

Press Release Body = Oxford, UK - Manches LLP - a leading law firm in London and the
Thames Valley announces an upcoming seminar based on the issues of Environmental
Regulations and Managing Environmental Liability.

The Environmental Regulations and Environmental Liability seminar will be held at
Manches' Oxford office at the Oxford Business Park North, 9400 Garsington Road,
Oxford, OX4 2HN. The programme begins with registration at 11:30am. For more
information and directions please register at: www.manches.com/events/ or call 01865
813657.

Ensuring compliance with environmental law

Businesses and organisations in every sector have to ensure compliance with
environmental law and try to minimise their exposure to risks of environmental
liability. The Environment Agency is increasingly taking action to enforce
environmental regulations through the Courts and require works to undertaken to
address harm or the risk of harm to the environment. Contaminated land, pollution
of water and waste management offences are all subject to stringent legislation and
potentially big fines. Directors and senior managers of companies, surveyors and
land agents can all be held personally liable for non-compliance with environmental
law. Managing the risks of prosecution and heavy clean-up costs is very important
for any business and knowing what to do if enforcement action is taken by the
Environment Agency or a local authority. The law of statutory nuisance is equally
applicable in the context of protection of the environment and human health from
industrial activity.

Implications of the contaminated land clean-up regime

Lawyers from Manches Environmental Law Team and a guest speaker from Argyll
Environmental will provide an insight into the workings of the Environment Agency
and its role as a regulator, the implications of the contaminated land clean-up
regime under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and statutory nuisance.
Examples of real contaminated land problems will be given and important guidance on
how to manage risks and what action can be taken to minimise liabilities, will be
imparted. The seminar will address the legal rules and share practical experience
of the speakers in what should be a highly informative seminar.

Environment Seminar content

Part one of the seminar deals with the issues of Contaminated Land and Environmental
Regulations. Simon Boyle the Legal Director of Argyll Environmental will present an
overview of Part IIA Environmental Protection Act 1990 with examples of contaminated
sites and liabilities together with an explanation of the need for environmental due
diligence. Richard Smith is a partner at Manches LLP and is recognised by Legal
Business and the Legal 500 as 'an expert in environmental law'. He will present on
The Environment Agency\'s role and policies and the issue of contaminated land and
dealing with Part IIA in property deals as well as the scope of Environmental
Statutory Nuisance.

Part two of the seminar covers the issue of managing environmental liability. Emma
Davies is a Solicitor at Manches LLP and her presentation highlights the meaning of
'strict liability\' and which offences it applies to. She will cover understanding
who can be prosecuted, and current trends amongst prosecutors as well as the
difference between defence and mitigation. Other issues covered include managing the
risks of prosecution in your business and she will examine trends in recent
prosecutions and penalties for water and waste offences.

The Environmental Regulations and Environmental Liability seminar will be held at
Manches' Oxford office at the Oxford Business Park North, 9400 Garsington Road,
Oxford, OX4 2HN. The programme begins with registration at 11:30am. For more
information and directions please register at: www.manches.com/events/ or call 01865
813657.

About Manches LLP

Manches is an innovative and responsive law firm with offices in London and the
Thames Valley. Manches focuses on a range of specialist legal sectors, including:
Property, Construction, Technology Media & Intellectual Property, Family Law,
Retailing, Publishing, Brand and IP Management and Life Sciences. Manches has been
active in the London market since it was established in 1937. With offices in the
Aldwych, Manches is in the heart of the legal community facing the challenges of a
dynamic and competitive environment.

Manches Oxford office offers the full range of commercial legal services with a
particular emphasis on the life sciences, publishing and IT sectors. Key practice
areas cover corporate finance, intellectual property, commercial litigation,
employment and commercial property. Manches acts for a wide range of businesses from
start-ups to leading listed companies as well as high profile individuals.

Web Site = http://www.manches.com/events/index.php

Contact Details = Web: www.manches.com/events/
Email: gemma.stanbra@manches.com
Phone: +44 (0) 1865 813657

Manches LLP
9400 Garsington Road
Oxford Business Park North