Rachael Davidson

Rachael has extensive experience in planning and environmental law across a range of sectors including energy and infrastructure. She advises on a wide range of issues including compulsory purchase, EIA development, judicial and statutory review, planning agreements, environmental permitting, and enforcement and prosecution matters.  

Rachael has advised multiple offshore windfarm developers and operators in relation to the consenting and licensing regimes for offshore wind farms and on the HRA process. Rachael has successfully obtained exemptions from the Secretary of State for offshore windfarm operators to avoid criminal offending in relation to their generator commissioning clause under the Electricity Act 1989. She worked closely with BEIS to agree a standard form transfer of benefit agreement which is now the industry standard for transferring DCO powers following the divestment of transmission assets for UK offshore wind farms.

Rachael also has particular experience advising clients on the acquisition, disposal and financing of sites with complex environmental issues, working collaboratively with technical consultants to identify environmental risks and liabilities and devising strategies to manage and mitigate those.  

Prior to joining Charles Russell Speechlys in 2021, Rachael practised law at a leading international firm in London with a particular focus on the renewable energy sector. Rachael is a member of the UK Environmental Law Association and National Infrastructure Planning Association.  

Rachael is admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand.

• Acting for a global industrial gas company and world leader in hydrogen supply, in relation to an application for development consent for a new harbour facility and associated green hydrogen production facility and on the consenting regime relating to blue hydrogen production.

• Advising multiple clients on the environmental permitting (including the variation and transfer of environmental permits), contaminated land, and waste law regimes including in relation to regulatory enforcement.

• Advising residential developers on planning aspects of urban village developments in London and new settlements outside London.

• Acting for corporate clients in respect of environmental prosecutions relating to alleged breaches of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2017.

• Advising on the consenting requirements for ground mounted and rooftop solar development in the UK.