"Climate activists in frame for £1m costs of protest bans run up by UK’s biggest law firm", 16 August 2024

... DLA Piper has been trying to recover costs from activists for work done on behalf of National Highways Limited (NHL) and HS2 Ltd – both public bodies – obtaining injunctions banning protests on their sites.

... Reporters from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) scoured court records to collate the sums claimed by DLA Piper to cover costs incurred by the law firm for its clients, which included fees of £350 an hour for providing legal advice, £75,000 for a single hearing and £2,500 for drawing up a document listing its fees.

... Adam Wagner, a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, said: “You might have a protester who, for the same action, is convicted of a criminal offence, has an injunction taken out against them with the risk of contempt of court proceedings if they breach it, and faces huge costs. It’s like triple jeopardy.”

... A DLA Piper spokesperson said: “The firm supports the right to protest lawfully and recognises the need to build a sustainable future. But any change must be brought around in compliance with the law, for the protection of the country and protesters. The firm is one of the world’s largest legal advisers to the renewable energy industry and is recognised for advising on more renewable energy deals and projects than any other law firm.”...