In-house legal teams in the public and private sectors can now find specific advice on how to apply the Law Society's 2023 guidance setting out solicitors’ core professional duties in the context of climate change.

New guidance published this week sets out:

  • How in-house solicitors’ core professional duties are engaged by climate change
  • Where climate-related legal risk arises in day-to-day practice, from regulatory compliance, disclosure and contracts to good governance, 'greenwashing' and litigation exposure
  • A practical checklist to help in-house teams of any size embed climate considerations into their legal advice, contracts, policies and reporting

'Climate change is reshaping the legal landscape, and reducing carbon emissions is part of responsible legal practice,' said Society president Mark Evans. 'We want to help in-house solicitors understand what this means for their organisation and those they advise and the steps that can be taken to reduce environmental impact in a practical and proportionate way.'

Evans noted that in-house solicitors face distinct challenges. 'Unlike external advisers, in-house counsel must navigate climate risks within the organisations they serve directly. They must balance legal duties against institutional pressures or business needs,' he said. 

'This guide is designed to help busy in-house solicitors identify where climate risk intersects with their existing responsibilities.'