Chris Papanicolaou

Chris Papanicolaou practices environmental law and general commercial real estate law, with a particular focus on contaminated land transactions. He regularly advises on environmental liability and real estate issues in complex business transactions.

Chris has advised clients on environmental permit issues; waste and water resources laws; infrastructure project issues, including compulsory purchase orders (CPOs); WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment), RoHS (restriction of hazardous substances), and REACH (registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemical substances) regulations and product compliance; carbon reduction and climate change; renewable energy projects; health and safety issues (including HSE [Health and Safety Executive] investigations); noise and odor nuisance; and environmental liability insurance. Chris also counsels clients on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters. In addition, he handles the structuring of brownfield contaminated land disposals and acquisitions. Chris oversees environmental due diligence in corporate and real estate transactions, and his commercial property law practice extends to advising major companies on disposals, acquisitions, lettings, and options and on general landlord and tenant matters. Chris has acted for established companies in the waste, minerals, building materials, automotive, chemicals, and renewable energy sectors as well as for property developers and investors.

Chris is a member of the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association.

Experience

Macquarie Asset Management acquires additional stake in Island Green PowerJones Day advised Macquarie Asset Management in the acquisition of the remaining 50% of the shares in Island Green Power Limited (IGP), a UK-based renewable energy developer focused primarily on the development of utility-scale solar plants.

J.F. Lehman & Company acquires WristJones Day advised J.F. Lehman & Company in the acquisition of a majority shareholding of W.S.S. Holding A/S and its subsidiaries, global leaders in marine supply, logistics and budget management services for the maritime industry.

J.F. Lehman & Company completes sale of Global Marine GroupJones Day advised J.F. Lehman & Company in the sale of the Global Marine Group, subsea telecom maintenance and installation services, supporting mission-critical global communications infrastructure, to Keppel Infrastructure Fund.

Goldman Sachs forms new student housing joint venture with Generation Partners for £110 millionJones Day advised Goldman Sachs on the £110 million acquisition from AIG of two student accommodation properties in Bournemouth and Cardiff, with a total of 907 student beds.

Acquisition vehicle incorporated by certain funds and accounts managed by GoldenTree Asset Management LP acquires mixed portfolio from abrdn Property Income TrustJones Day advised an acquisition vehicle incorporated by certain funds and accounts managed by GoldenTree Asset Management LP in the £351 million acquisition of a mixed portfolio of industrial, office, leisure and residential assets in England and Scotland from abrdn Property Income Trust Limited.

Molex acquires AirBornJones Day is advising Molex, a leading global connectivity and electronics solutions provider, in the acquisition of AirBorn, Inc., a company specializing in the design and manufacturing of rugged connectors and electronic components for global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) serving the aerospace and defense, commercial air, space exploration, medical, and industrial markets.

Sanofi to separate its consumer healthcare business, OpellaJones Day is acting as securities law counsel to Sanofi in the separation of Opella, its consumer healthcare business, and the announced sale of a 50% controlling stake.

Joint Administrators of The Body Shop International Limited (in administration) sell business and assetsJones Day advised Geoffrey Rowley, Anthony Wright and Alastair Massey of FRP Advisory in their capacity as joint administrators of The Body Shop International Limited (in administration), an appointee of the shareholder, Aurelius Investment Advisory Limited, in connection with the trading administration and subsequent sale of the company's business and assets.

QSRP invests in ChopstixJones Day advised Kharis Capital backed QSRP on the strategic investment into Chopstix Noodle Bars, a UK franchisor and operator of quick serve noodle bars.

British Land announces sale of its 50% Meadowhall stakeJones Day advised The British Land Company PLC in the £360 million sale of its 50% stake in Meadowhall Shopping Centre in the UK to joint venture partner, Norges Bank Investment Management (the Norwegian Government’s pension investment fund).

Integrated Power Services acquires Houghton InternationalJones Day advised Integrated Power Services in the acquisition of Houghton International, a leading electromechanical services provider based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, specializing in the repair and remanufacturing of electric motors, generators, pump systems, and electric coils.

TransDigm acquires division of GKN AerospaceJones Day represented TransDigm Group, a leading global developer and manufacturer of aerospace components, in connection with its acquisition of a division of GKN Aerospace that manufactures fuel systems and flotation devices (FPT Industries).

Geely forms joint venture with Renault Group to launch leading powertrain technology companyJones Day advised Geely Automobile Holdings Limited and Geely Holding Group on the creation of a 50/50 joint venture with Renault Group dedicated to becoming the global leader in developing, manufacturing, and supplying best-in-class hybrid and highly efficient internal combustion engine powertrains.

Lazard invests in Shawton Energy LimitedJones Day advised Lazard Asset Management in the acquisition by Lazard Global Sustainable Private Infrastructure Fund of a 50% shareholding in Shawton Energy Limited, a solar PV project developer, installer and operator with a portfolio of existing projects, and a substantial pipeline, that delivers renewable energy directly to commercial and industrial businesses.

Consilio acquires Lawyers on Demand and SYKEJones Day advised Consilio, Inc. in the acquisition of Lawyers On Demand (LOD), a provider of legal resourcing and SYKE, a legal technology consultancy from Bowmark Capital.

VSE Corporation partners with The Loar Group to acquire Desser AerospaceJones Day advised VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC) ("VSE") in its acquisition (the "Acquisition") of Desser Aerospace ("Desser") for a purchase price of $124 million.

Real Alloy sells European business to SpeiraJones Day advised Real Alloy Holding, LLC in the sale of its European aluminum and magnesium recycling operations to Speira GmbH, an affiliate of KPS Capital Partners.

Stellex completes buyout of David Brown Santasalo GroupJones Day advised Stellex Capital Management LLC on its buyout of DB Santasalo S.à r.l from N4 Partners.

FLEETCOR acquires Global Reach GroupJones Day advised FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. in the acquisition of Global Reach Group, a UK-based cross-border payments provider.

Macquarie agrees to acquire Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Group for approximately €2.4 billionJones Day advised Macquarie Asset Management in the execution of a put option agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Group for €2.4 billion.

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March 2025 Newsletters

Additional Publications

July 2009
Carbon Reduction Commitment – The Arrival of Emissions Trading in the UK, reprinted in EuroWatch
June 2009
Carbon Reduction Commitment – The Arrival of Emissions Trading in the UK, The Bulletin
2007
Legislative Calendar 2007/8: Check the Horizon, The EIC Guide to the UK Environmental Industry 2007, coauthor with Brian Ruddie
2006
Legal Liability Issues Associated with Contaminated Land: The Circular Facilities Case, The Land Remediation Yearbook
November 1995
Criminal Liability for Damage, coauthor with Neil Turner, Estates Gazette
June 1993
Contaminated Land Register RIP, Integrated Environmental Management Issue No. 20
1993
Badlands - Essential Environmental Law for Property Professionals, coauthor with Clare Deanesly and Angela Turner, Cameron & May
March 1992
The Big Clean Up Begins, Post-Magazine:Risk Management Supplement
1991
Year Book of International Environmental Law Volume 2 1991, coauthor with Phillippe Sands, Reports from the International Courts and Tribunals

Additional Speaking Engagements

June 27, 2013
Environmental Insurance Claims : The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,
June 27, 2013
Environmental Insurance Claims : The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, The ICO Conference Centre
October 23, 2008
New Policy and Regulatory Challenges: Implications of the New EU Directives, Policy, Practice and Profits. A Definitive Review of the Policies and Regulations Driving Brownfield Development (Conference notes)
February 2008
Measurement of Waste Industry Issues, copresented with Clare Deanesley, The Annual Summer School Environmental Law
May 16, 2006
Definition of Waste and The Implications of New EU Waste Directive, Environmental Industries Commission Land Remediation Policy Briefing, ICU 2006
1998
Director's and Officer's Liability, copresented with Martin Piers, Environmental Aspects 1998 Insurance Conference
April 1997
The 1997 Regulations, The Television Education Network Environmental Law Updates and Producer Responsibility, copresented with Clare Deanesly
1995
Management of Waste Industry Issues, copresented with Clare Deanesly, The Annual Summer School Environmental Law

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Experience

The Climate Report | First Quarter 2025

Major UK Bank Penalized by the ASA for Greenwashing

The Climate Report | Fourth Quarter 2024

UK Coal Mine Planning Consent Quashed

What Does a New UK Government Mean for Climate Change?

UK Supreme Court Quashes Planning Permission Due to a Failure to Consider Downstream (Scope 3) Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Climate Report | Second Quarter 2024

EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

UK Government Challenged Over Net-Zero Rollback

The Climate Report | First Quarter 2024

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Additional Speaking Engagements

Chris Papanicolaou

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