Dr Anna Willetts

Expertise

Anna is dual-qualified, having completed a PhD in geochemistry and working as an environmental consultant for 5 years, before qualifying as a lawyer.  Anna is an environmental criminal defence lawyer, representing waste and recycling businesses and directors. She advises and defends companies who are prosecuted by the regulators (Environment Agency and local authorities) for environmental offences. She is co-authoring a book with a barrister and technical specialist on the practical application of waste management law.

Anna Advises

• Waste management, skip hire and haulage companies
• Aggregates recycling companies and construction businesses
• AD plant operators
• Company Directors and Managers

Experience Highlights

• Successful in the Court of Appeal in a landmark case appealing a ruling on the dual regulation of an aggregates recycling facility.
• Recent successful appeal to PINS against an Environment Agency-led variation of client’s environmental permit
• Successful argument in High Court regarding powers of the regulator under s 108 of the Environment Act 1995.

Career History

Previous Law Firms

• Clyde & Co 2017–20
• Slater and Gordon 2016–17
• Dentons UKMEA 2012–16
• Greenwoods 2009–12
• Bevan Brittan (Trainee) 2007–09

Memberships

• Fellow and President of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management
• UK Environmental Law Society

Education

• De Montfort University 2005–07, Graduate Diploma in Law and LPC
• University of Manchester 1994–97, BSc Hons Geology
• University of Manchester 1997–2000 PhD, Geochemistry and Clay Mineralogy