Bick & Steele: Expert Land and Environment Court Lawyers

Overview

Our team at Bick & Steele specialises in providing expert advice and representation in litigation in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

We also regularly act for clients in the Supreme Court of NSW and the Federal Court of Australia.

The NSW Land and Environment Court has jurisdiction over the following classes of matters:

Class 1: Environment, planning & protection appeals

Includes "merits appeals" against decisions made in relation to development consents and environmental approvals.

The Court hears appeals against “actual” or “deemed” to grant approvals, as well as an objector appeal in the case of designated or State Significant development.

In a merit appeal, the Land and Environment Court “steps into the shoes” of the original decision maker and remakes their decision on the merits. 

Details about our extensive experience acting for clients in merits appeal can be found on our “Development Consent Appeals” page.

Class 2: Tree disputes & miscellaneous appeals

Includes matters arising under the Local Government Act 1993 and disputes under the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006.

Class 3: Valuation, compensation and Aboriginal Land Claims

Includes compulsory acquisition appeals, valuation disputes, and the determination of Aboriginal land claims.

Class 4: Judicial review & civil enforcement

Includes "judicial review" of decisions made in relation to development consents and environmental approvals.

Class 5: Criminal proceedings

Includes prosecutions for planning and environmental law offences.

Classes 6 & 7: Criminal appeals against conviction or sentence

Includes appeals against convictions and sentences for planning and environmental offences imposed by the Local Court.

Class 8: Mining matters

Includes matters arising under the Mining Act 1992 or the Petroleum (Onshore Act) 1991.

How we can help

At Bick & Steele, we are highly experienced in advising and representing clients in each of the classes of matters falling within the jurisdiction of the NSW Land and Environment Court, the Supreme Court of NSW and the Federal Court of Australia.

Based in Sydney, we assist corporations, community groups and individuals involved in planning or environmental law disputes by:

  • developing a highly cost effective, efficient and robust litigation strategy;

  • leveraging our extensive network of leading counsel (barristers) and technical experts to ensure our clients are supported by a "top tier" litigation team;

  • where appropriate:

    • preparing a contingency plan (ie a "Plan B") to mitigate the risk of an adverse outcome; and

    • engaging in alternative dispute resolution processes to resolve disputes on an agreed basis.

Our experience

Examples of projects with respect to which our Directors have demonstrated their experience advising on these matters can be found here.

In the last 5 years, we have acted for clients in:

  • over 33 Class 1 appeals (98% success rate)

  • over 10 Class 2 appeals (100% success rate)

  • over 25 Class 3 appeals (100% success rate)

  • 4 class 4 appeals (100% success rate)

  • 2 class 5 appeals (100% success rate)

Contact us

To see how we can help you, please contact us.