Area of Practice |Public Interest Organizations

Natural Resource Law

Where resource decisions carry real weight

Ratcliff’s natural resource lawyers in Vancouver advise clients across mining, forestry, energy, and fisheries. We help navigate regulatory regimes while balancing development with Indigenous rights, environmental responsibility, and long-term community interests.

_{Focus Areas}Balancing development with responsibility

Resource Development and Regulatory Approvals

We advise on natural resource law across mining, forestry, energy, and fisheries, helping clients navigate approvals and regulatory frameworks while managing legal risk and project timelines.

Indigenous Rights and Resource Governance

We work at the intersection of Indigenous rights and resource development, supporting governance approaches that integrate Indigenous law, stewardship, and decision-making authority into project outcomes.

Consultation, Accommodation, and Agreements

We guide clients through consultation and accommodation processes, negotiating agreements that are legally sound, practically workable, and grounded in long-term relationships.

Environmental and Land Use Strategy

We advise on land use planning, environmental regulation, and resource management, helping clients align development with sustainability, legal compliance, and evolving environmental expectations.

Forestry, Fisheries, and Sector-Specific Advice

With an in-house Registered Professional Forester, we provide sector-specific legal advice across forestry and related industries, bringing practical insight to complex regulatory and operational issues.

Disputes and Resource-Related Litigation

Where conflicts arise, we provide strategic representation in disputes involving resource development, regulatory decisions, and Indigenous rights, focusing on clear, durable outcomes.