Environmental Experience

The SORAINEN Environmental Practice has a significant WEEE, RoHC and ELV client portfolio, including a  Latvian state, the world leader in silicon innovation, Canon, Toyota Baltic and the world leader in mobile communications.

• Advising a Latvian energy sector player on issues related to participation in the European emissions trading scheme, including appeal against decisions by the state authorities on allocation of emissions allowances.

  Advising HC Betoon, a prominent producer of construction materials on a global level, in financing geological research for limestone deposits.

  Advising Baltic Property Trust Asset Management, an international real estate asset manager specialising in Central, Eastern and Northern Europe, on its acquisition of a medium size shopping centre in Tallinn with legal due diligence and transaction advice including in depth analysis of multiple environmental liability issues under Estonian law.

  Advising Finnish investment companies in acquiring a shareholding and establishing a joint venture in a local private cargo port under construction. The case was especially notable for increased environmental risks and included legal due diligence, transaction advice, extensive negotiations and closing implementation on behalf of the client.

  Steering a leading listed Finnish waste management company through all stages of a complex acquisition of the largest waste management company in Latvia for an undisclosed sum. The deal also included facilitating merger notification through the Competition Council, which granted unconditional approval.

  Advising a major international law firm on representing the defendant in a claim for compensation of lost profit due to environmental pollution caused by a tanker oil spill. The case involved issues of applicability of unpublished international treaties, constitutional law and complex litigation questions, disputed at all court instances.

  Advising a leading commercial law specialist regarding domestic laws in the environmental sector and assessing compliance of Latvian Environmental Laws with 25 EU Directives.

  Assisting a well-established UK legal practice in advising a substantial international oil trading company on potential liability for environmental damage.

  Advising a Scandinavian quarrying company in acquiring a mining company and quarrying rights.

  Adivising Sweco International, an international consulting and engineering company, on preparation of a feasibility study on municipal sludge treatment with potential construction of a biogas factory in Minsk. Advice covered aspects of bio-gas plant construction and energy distribution.

  Advising a company handling environmentally hazardous ship waste and liquidating potential accidental environmental pollution in setting up one of the first joint venture PPP's. Services included comprehensive analysis of public procurement issues and proposing project structure.

  Advising regional Baltic subsidiaries of Canon, a multinational imaging and optical products manufacturing corporation, on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Main issues included international and local legislative requirements plus compliance with local requirements.

  Advising a global car manufacturer on end-of-life vehicle policies.

  Advising an international workwear and materials rental company in relation to an application by a third party for a new limestone quarry close to client facilities.

  Representing a major mining company in court disputes where a competitor was trying to abolish the client's mining rights. The case involved exhaustive analysis of natural resources and mining legislation in Estonia.