Fieldfisher Commits to Greener Litigation

Fieldfisher is proud to announce that it has signed the Greener Litigation Pledge, reinforcing our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of litigation and supporting the UK's ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This pledge reflects our dedication to sustainable and responsible business practices, both in our internal operations and in the services provided to clients. 

The Greener Litigation Pledge, developed in response to the Civil Justice Council's 2020 Rapid Consultation on the impact of COVID-19 on the civil justice system, aims to integrate climate-conscious practices into

 the litigation process. By joining this initiative, Fieldfisher commits to adopting practical measures to minimise the carbon footprint of court disputes, in line with the global goal of restricting warming to 1.5°C as set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. 

By signing the Greener Litigation Pledge, Fieldfisher joins over 75 leading legal institutions in taking proactive steps to reduce the environmental impact of litigation. The firm looks forward to collaborating

 with our peers to foster lasting change in litigation practices within the UK and internationally, and to promote a more sustainable approach to dispute resolution across our firm. 

This commitment follows the firm's hiring of Nicole Bigby as ESG Director in February 2024. Nicole leads the firm's newly centralised Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) function, collaborating with partners and clients on current and developing sustainability and ESG related legal services, while also spearheading the firm's internal sustainability and corporate responsibility strategy. 

In addition to signing the Greener Litigation Pledge, Fieldfisher's Dispute Resolution practice is engaged in various other sustainability initiatives. The firm is a supporter of Green Arbitration,  the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge, and members of the firm are signatories of the Mediators Green Pledge. Firm-wide, Fieldfisher is committed to broader environmental initiatives through its partnership with Planet Mark, a sustainability certification organisation, and through broader efforts with suppliers, communities, and the wider legal sector, including support for The Chancery Lane Project. 

 Colin Gibson, Fieldfisher's Head of Dispute Resolution, commented: "The environmental crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and

 as litigators, we have a responsibility to lead by example. Our commitment to the Greener Litigation Pledge is not just symbolic; it is a serious, firm-wide commitment to integrate sustainability into our legal practices. Our litigators across the firm are dedicated to holding ourselves accountable and being an active part of the change that is urgently needed. We understand that meaningful progress requires both bold steps and a willingness to re-evaluate how we operate." 

Nicole Bigby, ESG Director added:

"At Fieldfisher, we are embedding environmental sustainability into our operations, setting high standards not just for ourselves, but supporting change across the entire legal sector. The Greener Litigation Pledge strongly aligns with our strategy to be a responsible and sustainable business. It is a testament to our long-term vision to ensure that a focus on sustainability is central to supporting our clients' in achieving their sustainability goals through our legal and advisory services and in how we conduct our own business." 

About Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher is a European law firm, with market-leading practices in corporate/M&A, finance, real estate, energy and natural resources, technology and life sciences.

Their lawyers advise some of the world's largest corporations including major technology firms, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, energy suppliers, infrastructure companies, global banks and financial institutions. They take a collaborative approach with clients tailoring their services to their needs and integrating cutting-edge legal technologies into their advice where possible. 

Their  international network now spans over 1,700 people across 23 offices in 12 countries, enabling them  to seamlessly advise clients across time zones and disciplines.

As a responsible and socially-conscious firm, they strive to lead from the front in their industry and make ourselves accountable for their actions. Their commitment to building a more sustainable and equitable future for their people, clients and communities is at the heart of their ESG strategy.