ZYDA LAW LEGAL 500 2009 EDITION

Zyda Law LLP is delighted to announce that the quality and depth of legal services it provides has again been recognised by the LEGAL500.   In the Legal 500, 2009 Edition, Zyda Law LLP is given a tier 2 ranking, and the editorial comments reads:

"Zyda Law LLP is a specialist planning and environmental law firm with a tremendous record in the energy (including nuclear and gas) and rail sectors. The firm provides 'quality', 'in-depth' advice and 'is willing to go the extra mile'.  Paul Zyda gives 'refreshingly candid' advice, stemming from 'many years of front-line experience'.  Clients include Scottish Power, INEOS and government agencies such as the MoD."

The firm was established in 1999 to serve the operational and development needs of the nuclear industry, and has since successfully expanded its range of services to become a recognised national leader in the energy sector, with unmatched expertise and experience in its main area of nuclear law and development.  Its senior partner, and founder, Paul Zyda, has enjoyed direct instructions from the nuclear industry (civil and military) for more than fifteen years.

The firm's client base includes blue-chip companies and government agencies, medium and small property developers and a growing number of high-wealth private individuals. The firm also acts for a growing number of local authority clients, providing a dedicated planning legal and policy resource.

Prominent clients include British Energy (part of EDF Energy), the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd, the Ministry of Defence, Scottish Power UK plc and INEOS Chlor.  Local authority clients include Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and High Peak Borough Council.

The firm distinguishes itself from competitors by adopting a proactive approach and by providing a dedicated high-quality service to all its clients. Its approach is to focus on strategies for the optimisation of prospects for success though the early identification and removal of risks. It supports this high-quality approach with bespoke client management/interface tools and operates a 100% paper-free office environment, being one of the first 'digital' law firms in the UK.

Types of work undertaken: The practice assists clients in all aspects of property development, achieving planning permission or development consent through negotiation at first instance or on appeal. The firm's impressive success rate is significantly higher than the national average. The firm also advises on the need and achievement of necessary environmental consents, including Radioactive Substances Authority, Hazardous Substances Consent and other (including water) environmental permits.

On major infrastructure development proposals, advice is given as to the structure and scope of planning and/or development consent applications by the early identification of relevant legal and policy (UK and European) frameworks, including the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and, where necessary, the requirements of national regulators (environmental and safety) and the need for further statutory authorisations such as integrated pollution prevention control, radioactive substances authorisations and hazardous substances consents.

Nuclear expertise includes advising on new build, decommissioning and waste management developments in England and Scotland. The firm's experience includes dealing with vitrification plants, intermediate-level waste-conditioned waste stores, low-level waste disposal and storage facilities and decommissioning of redundant nuclear plants, including nuclear reactors.

The firm can address all types of regulatory issues associated with nuclear site licensing and radioactive substances authorisations and their relationship with the legislative and policy framework relevant to development of land.  Advice is given regarding both the civil and military branches of the industry.

Zyda Law has advised on gas infrastructure developments of national importance, including two underground salt bed gas storage facilities, an 800MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant in the SE, and a 1000MW CCGT power plant in the NW. The firm has also advised on authorisation requirements for an 'energy from waste' combined heat and power plant (340MW), pursuant to the Electricity Act.  Expertise is also provided in renewable energy.

Other projects handled include planning requirements in respect of two major rail freight distribution parks proposed in the UK and in France. Instructed by private equity clients, the firm has advised on the property transaction and development permits needed to acquire and develop an international rail freight distribution park and a new container port in France.

Zyda Law LLP expects further expansion, including widening its utility and energy client base with regard to UK infrastructure issues.

To view the latest entry, please follow the link below:

http://www.legal500.com/firms/4983-zyda-law-llp/offices/171-nantwich