We advised a major commercial vehicle manufacturer in proceedings concerning environmental pollution near the client’s facility in eastern Latvia. The authorities had issued a ruling that our client was the responsible party for the pollution. We advised client throughout the investigation process as well as in the dispute stage with the authorities. In particular, Sorainen represented the client before the Environment State Bureau (the Latvian environmental authority).
Our involvement
We managed to reach an agreement on a settlement, and negotiated the settlement terms with the authority, as well as representing the client in the court proceedings. This resulted in the client not being admitted as the party responsible for the pollution. This is a landmark case, as it is the first time ever the Latvian environment authority has entered into a settlement in a dispute over an environmental pollution issue. Furthermore, we also represented the client in the criminal proceedings that were initiated in relation to the same pollution.
We assisted the client in answering the police’s requests for information and in providing explanations in the course of the investigation. We managed to convince the police that the criminal proceedings must be terminated due to the absence of any criminal offence, without there being any negative consequences for the client.
Our team
Our team working on this case was partner Valts Nerets, counsel Viktorija Jarkina and associate Zane Akermane.
