Rebecca Andrews is Head of Environment and specialises in complex group litigation, with a particular focus on environmental claims, including those under Part 1 of the Land Compensation Act 1973 and private nuisance. She leads a specialist team acting for large claimant groups in actions against major infrastructure operators, public bodies and commercial entities.
Her practice centres on securing access to justice for communities and individuals facing well-resourced defendants. She regularly acts in “David v Goliath” disputes, using group litigation to advance claims that would not be viable individually, combining technical expert evidence with coordinated legal strategy to secure compensation and meaningful change.
Rebecca has over nine years’ PQE and a strong track record in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber), where she has secured multiple successful outcomes for claimants. She leads the firm’s Part 1 Land Compensation Act practice, overseeing the investigation and progression of claims, and currently represents over 160 homeowners in proceedings relating to the Manchester Airport Relief Road.
She also acts for communities across England and Wales in environmental nuisance claims arising from industrial activity, including noise, odour and other forms of pollution. She advises on responding strategically to evolving environmental risks, with a clear focus on achieving both compensation and tangible improvements for affected residents.
Rebecca has significant experience managing technically complex litigation, including large-scale trials and appeals, and coordinating extensive factual and expert evidence across multiple lead claims. As Head of Environment, she is responsible for the strategic development of the firm’s environmental group litigation practice, with a focus on expanding access to collective redress and delivering consistent outcomes across large claimant groups.
She recognises the advantages of out-of-court resolution and, where appropriate, explores opportunities to resolve disputes efficiently while minimising risk, cost and disruption.
Her experience in complex, multi-party litigation extends beyond environmental claims to personal injury (including industrial disease) and employment-related matters, where she applies the same structured approach to collective redress in cases involving systemic barriers to individual claims.
Career and education history
- Cardiff University: 2009-2012
- BPP University: 2013-2015
- Joined Hugh James in 2012
- Qualified: 2017
- Associate: 2019
- Senior Associate: 2026
Key expertise
- Group litigation
- Part 1 Land Compensation Act claims
- Environmental nuisance and pollution claims
- Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) proceedings
- Complex, multi-party disputes
Approach
Rebecca is recognised by Chambers as an “Associate to watch”, described as “absolutely stellar… She has a great brain and a great manner, and her forensic analysis is exemplary.” Clients also note that she is “friendly, very well organised and focused” and that “the information she produces is very clear and she is very responsive.”
Memberships
- Compulsory Purchase Association