City firms commit to Greener Litigation Pledge

Leading law firms including Allen & Overy, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, HFW and Simmons & Simmons have signed up to the Greener Litigation Pledge, a commitment launched by Mishcon de Reya. Greener Litigation is an “initiative to reduce the environmental impact of dispute resolution” backed by solicitors’ firms, barristers’ chambers and other disputes professionals.

In signing the pledge, the participants aim to reduce the environmental impact of dispute resolution and litigation conducted in the English and Welsh courts. The green pledge is part of a wider commitment to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint in line to restrict global warming to 1.5°C as set out in the 2015 Paris agreement.

HFW disputes partner Damien Honey said: “the goal is to reach a point where the most environmentally sustainable options in litigation and dispute resolution becomes the default, rather than a conscious decision.”

Earlier this month, 3 Hare Court joined other founding signatories including Fountain Court Chambers, Kennedys, Addleshaw Goddard and Opus 2.

The announcement comes alongside news of the launch of lawyers for net-zero, a network of leading firms that formed an alliance committed to accelerating the transition to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Its founding members of 22 global firms include Baker McKenzie, Burges Salmon, Clifford Chance, Clyde & Co, DLA Piper, Eversheds Sutherland, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hogan Lovells, Mischon de Reya, Pinsent Masons, Reed Smith, Shearman & Sterling, Slaughter & May, Taylor Wessing and many more.

As the environmental, social and governance (ESG) movement gains momentum in the legal profession and law firms increasingly back sustainable development, other forward-thinking firms are likely to follow suit.