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Environmental Law

We advise companies, organizations, and public entities on compliance with environmental regulations applicable to their activities. We support environmental assessment processes, permitting, environmental liabilities management, oversight procedures, and both administrative and judicial defense, as well as the implementation of sustainability strategies.

Our approach seeks to prevent legal risks, facilitate project development, and ensure a constructive relationship with communities and environmental authorities.

Environmental Law

We assist our clients in regulatory compliance for the development of forestry, real estate, energy, mining, fishing, and other regulated industry projects. We interact regularly with regulators, securing successful outcomes based on the significant public-sector experience of our partners and associates.

We guide our clients through the entry, processing, and closure of environmental impact assessment procedures. We litigate frequently before the Environmental Assessment Service, the Superintendence of the Environment, and other environmental authorities, as well as before Environmental Courts, Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court.

Administrative Law

We represent and assist our clients before various administrative bodies to protect and enforce their interests in project development across multiple industries requiring governmental authorizations or ongoing interaction with the State. We appear before institutions including the Office of the Comptroller General, Public Procurement Tribunal, Environmental Courts, Courts of Appeals, Supreme Court, Local Police Courts, Superintendencies and regulatory agencies, the National Energy Coordinator, Expert Panels, Municipal Works Directorates, and other State Administration bodies, as well as before Congress when required.

Environmental Litigation

We represent our clients in disputes related to the enforcement and application of environmental regulation, both administratively and before the courts. We defend against sanctions, environmental damage claims, challenges to administrative resolutions, and constitutional actions.

Our experience combines technical and legal knowledge to address complex disputes, protect our clients’ interests, and promote legally sound and environmentally responsible solutions.

Environmental Permitting

We advise clients on all matters related to environmental management, including all procedures within the Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA). We are responsible for obtaining environmental permits required for project development and economic activities, particularly those processed through the Environmental Assessment System framework.

Communities

We facilitate dialogue and agreement-building among companies, authorities, and communities—both local and indigenous—within a framework of respect for the rule of law and cultural and territorial particularities. We provide strategic legal advice in prior consultation processes, agreement negotiation, prevention and management of socio-environmental conflicts, and regulatory compliance. Our focus promotes sustainable and legally sound solutions, enabling socially legitimate and legally secure project development.

Environmental Crimes

We offer specialized legal advice for the prevention of environmental crimes, particularly under Law 21.595. We also represent individuals and companies in investigations involving environmental damage, pollution, natural resource impact, or regulatory breaches. We provide technical defense throughout all procedural stages, risk assessment, and compliance-driven prevention strategies.

Environmental Compliance

We have extensive experience in environmental due diligence processes, audits, and training programs, with emphasis on requirements for Crime Prevention Models.

«Barros, Silva, Varela & Vigil clearly sets out its proposals and demonstrates diligence in execution. I particularly value their long-term perspective».

Client, Chambers and Partners.

«A strategic partner in decision-making due to their experience and integrity when addressing the various issues, and their ability to explain complex issues simply. They know our history well and stand out for teamwork and environmental expertise».

Client, Chambers and Partners.

«Barros Silva Varela & Vigil Abogados has a solid administrative law team that offers a complete and valuable view of the Chilean public system—its institutions, procedures, and decision-making. Always available, responsive, and precise».

Client, Chambers and Partners.

«Claudia Ferreiro provides advice that strikes the perfect balance between experience and innovation».

Client, Chambers and Partners.

«Felipe Riesco understands our challenges with assertiveness and focuses on the best ways to add value to our business».

Client, Chambers and Partners.