Paul Powlesland

Paul is passionate about protecting and representing the natural world and all who seek to defend it. He specialises in upholding the rights of environmental activists to protest and protect the natural world, and uses environmental law and regulations to defend trees, rivers and wildlife. Paul is also driven to achieve justice for those who need it most in all areas of his practice. He uses his cross-examination skills in the employment tribunal to uphold the rights of employees and trade unions. He is adept at using whatever legal mechanisms are available to keep tenants and mortgagees threatened with eviction in their homes.

After a decade spent at the civil bar, he is skilled at using his experience in contractual and commercial matters to fight tenaciously for justice on behalf of individuals or small businesses and organisations threatened by those with more wealth and power. As a boat dweller for many years, he is determined to protect the rights of boaters and other Traveller groups. Paul is direct access qualified and therefore able to take instructions directly from members of the public who need assistance with the law most.

Paul is the founder of Lawyers for Nature and regularly gives talks and workshops on the rights of nature, the relationship between the law and the natural world and what barristers and other lawyers should do in a time of climate and ecological emergency.