Ian Sampson Partner, Head of Environmental & Clean Energy Law

Durban





Qualifications

BA, LLB (Wits), Short course in Environmental Law (Potchefstroom University), LLM in Environmental Law (University of Pretoria)


Specialisations and Interests

Ian is a specialist environmental lawyer advising clients in both the public and private sector on a range of environmental and sustainability issues. Ian assists companies in a number of industries, including mining and resources, utilities, chemicals, steel, agriculture, automotive, waste, storage, building and transport on a range of environmental issues. Ian’s advice pertains to inter alia environmental compliance assessments, due diligence assessments, contractual issues, structured finance, environmental management systems, opinions on new and pending legislation and permit and licensing requirements.

Ian is a member of the South African Environmental Law Association, the Law Society of South Africa, the IAIA and International Bar Association.

Ian authored a chapter in the PLC Cross-Border Environmental Handbook (2006/7). He is also the author of A Legal Framework to Pollution Management in the Durban Metropolitan Area (Durban Metropolitan Council, April 2000), A Legal Framework to Pollution Management in South Africa (Water Research Commission, 2001), and is the general editor for the Guide to Environmental Auditing in South Africa (Butterworths 2000).

Ian has been recognised by Chambers and Partners as a leading lawyer in the field of environmental law for 2022.  He has also been acknowledged by Best Lawyers for environmental law for 2022 and most recently for 2023. Ian has also been recognised in the field of environmental law by Who’s Who Legal as a Global Thought Leader South Africa for 2020 and selected as one of the World’s Leading Practitioners for 2022. Ian was the exclusive winner of the ‘Environment & Climate Change for South Africa’ for 2020 under the Client Choice Awards.

Mediation Experience

Ian is an internationally accredited mediator by the Centre for Dispute resolution (CEDR), the largest independent dispute resolution body in Europe. His passion lies in alternate dispute resolution in environmental related matters.