The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)
A year on and what to expect going forward
Key Information:
- Date and time
- Thu 23 February 2023
17:00 - 19:00 - Location
- 2X242, Frenchay Campus, Further info
- Contact
- Jona Razzaque Jona.Razzaque@uwe.ac.uk
- Cost
- Free
- Attendance
- Booking required
Description
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) was created in November 2021 under the Environment Act 2021. It is a public body that aims to protect and improve the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account.
This presentation, panel discussion and Q&A will focus on:
- the OEP and its enforcement role
- the duty on a public authority to cooperate with the OEP
- failures to comply with environmental law by public authorities
- OEP priorities
- information and decision notices
- environmental reviews
- the confidentiality of information provided to the OEP
- what to expect going forward.
Speaker
-
Barrister at 6 Pump Court (UK), leading environmental lawyer.
About the speakers
Christopher Badger has an established practice in commercial regulatory investigations and prosecutions, specialising in environmental enforcement, acting for both corporate and individual defendants and on behalf of the Environment Agency. High profile cases in which he has recently been instructed include allegations of the deliberate illegal disposal of hazardous waste, the export of waste abroad, end of waste and environmental issues relating to the Thames Tideway super-sewer project.
He is often asked to provide early-stage advice into ongoing investigations, both pre-interview and pre-charge. Reported authorities include Environment Agency v Walker & Son (Hauliers) Ltd, the defining case on liability of landowners in environmental disputes, R v Rogers, Beaman and Tapecrown Ltd, the leading authority on the use of fresh evidence in appeals against sentence to the Court of Appeal and Environment Agency v Tapecrown Ltd, a landmark authority concerning the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal in contempt of court appeals and the novel use of third parties to act as a means of enforcing Court ordered environmental remediation orders in criminal proceedings.
William Upton KC and Brendon Moorhouse will join Christopher Badger for the Q&A part of the event.
William Upton KC will address in particular whether the creation of the OEP changes how we should look at the enforcement of environmental law. William leads the Public, Planning and Environmental Law team in chambers, and his experience ranges across the civil and criminal courts, as well as planning inquiries. He has a particular interest in the overlap between planning and environmental law, and the regulatory control of land use.
Brendon Moorhouse will consider the options available that replace the complaint procedure to the European Commission under the new regime. Brendon works exclusively as an environmental barrister and has been involved in significant waste and water criminal cases as well as working in civil environmental permitting and regulation.
Registration and tickets
- Cost: Free
- Attendance: Booking required
Programme
- 17:00 Welcome
- 17:10 Christopher Badger, ‘The Office for Environmental Protection – a year on, and what to expect…’
- 17:40 Panel discussion and Q&A
- 18:15 Networking and refreshments
Related events

Thu 15 May 2025, 11:00
Introduction to generative AI at UWE Bristol
Online
First in the series of online library workshops for both students and staff. How generative AI can be used to enhance your studies and limitations.

Thu 15 May 2025, 20:30
Bristol Planning Law and Policy (BPLP) Conference
Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Road
Join us for the Bristol Planning Law and Policy (BPLP) Conference and Dinner on 15 May 2025 where we will explore the theme of 'Planning for infrastructure: are we nearly there yet?''

Mon 19 May 2025, 17:30
Research talk: suspect citizenship
5AF005a, City Campus at Arnolfini
A research talk organised by members of the RPRN and co-sponsored by the University of Bath and UWE Bristol.

Thu 22 May 2025, 12:00
Drones in action: The scope for changing medical logistics
Hybrid
Join our seminar featuring Professor Tom Cherrett who will give an overview of how drones are being used across a range of industrial sectors, focusing on their scope for assisting medical logistics.

Thu 22 May 2025, 12:30
Building from the "organizational turn" in science communication
Room 3C001, UWE Bristol Frenchay Campus
Join Dr Matthew VanDyke who will share his work about challenges and opportunities for the role of strategic communication and public relations in organizational science communication.

Fri 23 May 2025, 08:30
Awake Craniotomy Symposium 2025
UWE Bristol, Frenchay Campus
The Awake Craniotomy Symposium 2025 at UWE Bristol in collaboration with North Bristol NHS Trust and the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission.

Fri 30 May 2025, 11:00
Introduction to generative AI at UWE Bristol
Online
First in the series of online library workshops for both students and staff. How generative AI can be used to enhance your studies and limitations.

Tue 03 June 2025, 11:00
Using generative AI for planning and productivity
Online
Part of a series of online library workshops for both students and staff. How generative AI can be utilised for planning and productivity.

Tue 10 June 2025, 09:00
EURA 2025 Conference
City Hall
Sign up for EURA Annual Conference from 10 to 13 June 2025, held at City Hall, Bristol, UK.

Tue 10 June 2025, 11:00
Introduction to generative AI at UWE Bristol
Online
First in the series of online library workshops for both students and staff. How generative AI can be used to enhance your studies and limitations.

Mon 16 June 2025, 12:00
Confronting work alienation
2X242, Bristol Business School (X Block), Frenchay Campus
Exploring what we can learn from employee owned organisations.

Wed 18 June 2025, 09:00
CBL conference: People, work and organisations
X Block, Bristol Business School, Frenchay Campus
HRWE and BLCC come together to host their first ever CBL Conference.