Waste management law is regulated by a large number of (mostly European) legislative acts. Product-related waste management law in particular – especially with regard to the handling of packaging material – is increasingly of huge practical relevance at the present time. Waste management policy is mainly concerned with avoiding and recycling waste. The medium-term goal is to recycle all municipal waste in an environmentally friendly manner. We advise our clients on all matters relating to waste management law, including product design, the organisation of waste disposal operations, the drafting of exemption, licensing and disposal agreements, and the planning and approval of waste disposal facilities, such as biogas and composting plants, processing plants, incineration plants and landfill sites.

After purchasing a property or in the course of carrying out construction work, property owners often receive an unwelcome and unexpected surprise in the form of contaminated sites, harmful soil pollution and fly-tipping. The financial implications are usually considerable, not least because the authorities almost always turn to the property owner in the first instance. Furthermore, pursuant to case law, the owner is liable to pay the costs for the removal of the contamination at least up to the market value of the land. We find economically viable solutions for plant operators, housing associations and individuals who own or manage real estate. Even though it is not always possible to avoid recourse to legal protection in (summary) proceedings, we endeavour to negotiate swift, permanent solutions in the interest of our clients. 

Practically all major projects are now subject to complex environmental standards and requirements. Compliance with them is mandatory, which sometimes makes it difficult to realise such projects. The corresponding permits satisfy both the legally standardised environmental concerns and the economic interests of the investor. We have considerable expertise in managing this ever-changing legal matter and dealing with the regulations in the course of the necessary official procedures. In addition, we advise plant operators in the field of emissions trading. We work with associations to actively shape emissions trading law and help to provide feedback on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Act (TEHG). Our influence on the normative area of this legal field enables us to find efficient solutions that can be quickly put into practice.

Despite its considerable practical importance, municipal fiscal law regularly only appears on the radar of investors when unforeseen six- or seven-digit figures call into question the profitability of a project. Very few specialists are well-versed in this field. We are familiar with the various options for influencing typical rates and taxes, including land development and improvement charges, building permit fees, special use fees, sewerage charges and the Stellplatzablöse, a charge payable when a new development provides less than the required number of parking spaces. In addition, we represent clients in appeal proceedings against the imposition of such charges.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are becoming ever more important. In recent years, besides dealing with ‘classic’ public building construction, we have also worked on PPP projects with a pilot character – in the IT and defence sectors, for example. When it comes to PPPs, we are one of the most experienced law firms in Germany. We advise clients on PPP projects covering aspects of business, corporate and labour law, and also draw on our expertise and experience in matters concerning tax law.