Just Stop Oil protesters’ jail terms potentially breach international law, UN expert says – The Guardian

‘Long sentences handed to two Just Stop Oil protesters for scaling the M25 bridge over the Thames are a potential breach of international law and risk silencing public concerns about the environment, a UN expert has said.’

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The Guardian, 20th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jury clears climate protesters of causing damage to HSBC London HQ – The Guardian

Posted November 17th, 2023 in banking, climate change, criminal damage, environmental protection, news by tracey

‘Nine climate protesters have been cleared by a jury of causing £500,000 worth of criminal damage to the windows at the headquarters of HSBC bank in London.’

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The Guardian, 16th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

A Change of Climate for Trustee Investment Duties? – Pensions Barrister

Posted November 16th, 2023 in chambers articles, climate change, environmental protection, news, pensions by sally

‘Following the recent fine ordered by tPR in respect of ExxonMobil Pension Plan for breach of the OPS (Climate Change Governance and Reporting) Regs 2021, James McCreath of Wilberforce Chambers considers how the increasing pressure on schemes to advance environmental causes hangs together with trustees’ investments duties.’

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Pensions Barrister, 16th November 2023

Source: www.pensionsbarrister.com

Government plan to use biomass in breach of Climate Change Act, charity argues – Local Government Lawyer

‘A charity is threatening the Government with a judicial review over its biomass strategy, arguing that the plan, which is part of the effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions, is in breach of the Climate Change Act 2008.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 15th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Marine Environmental Law in the UK: Overview of Current and Proposed Steps – Francis Taylor Building

‘The marine environment is important in many ways. It is vital, therefore, that it is protected. This article explores the current policy and targets in relation to the marine environment around England, both in respect of nature protection and recovery, and targets for renewable energy. It then discusses mechanisms to meet these targets and how these will potentially work together.’

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Francis Taylor Building, 25th October 2023

Source: www.ftbchambers.co.uk

Environmental Law News Update – Six Pump Court

‘“The absence of a suitable test or target for the reduction of Scope 3 emissions”: High Court challenge fails, and the Government Calls for Evidence”.’

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Six Pump Court, 31st October 2023

Source: 6pumpcourt.co.uk

River Wye: Judicial review granted over agricultural pollution – BBC News

‘A judge has granted a judicial review into the way the Environment Agency (EA) in England enforces agricultural pollution laws.’

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BBC News, 20th October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

“Relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid cab-rank rule – Legal Futures

‘It seems “relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid the cab-rank rule by relying on exemptions, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has said.’

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Legal Futures, 17th October 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Warminster delivery driver fined £4,560 for fly-tipping – BBC News

Posted October 13th, 2023 in environmental health, environmental protection, fines, news, waste by tracey

‘A delivery driver has been issued with a £4,560 fine for fly-tipping.’

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BBC News, 13th October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

ESG for Employers – Kingsley Napley

“Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) matters are growing in importance for all organisations. Aside from the moral reasons putting these issues high on the agenda, an organisation’s ESG standing/rating can have a huge impact on its performance, as well as its ability to attract and retain talent, investors, customers and clients. ESG matters can also have potential legal and regulatory consequences.”

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Kingsley Napley, 5th October 2023

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

High Court rules on legal challenge to Government’s Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan – Garden Court Chambers

Posted October 5th, 2023 in chambers articles, environmental protection, human rights, news, water by sally

‘In this judgment, Mr Justice Holgate addressed a challenge brought by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), Richard Haward’s Oysters and Hugo Tagholm against the Government’s Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan (the Plan).’

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Garden Court Chambers, 15th September 2023

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Targets for reduction in sewage outflow not unlawful, says High Court – UK Human Rights Blog

‘The King (on the application of Wildfish Conservation v Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency (Defendant) and the Water Services Regulation Authority (Interested Parties) [2023] EWHC 2285 (Admin). In 2022, there were over three hundred thousand incidents of overflow into coastal waters, freshwater rivers and estuaries from sewerage works in the UK, following heavy rainfall. The most common cause of the overflows studied was rainwater entering sewers with insufficient capacity.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 28th September 2023

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

UK fails to ban 36 harmful pesticides outlawed for use in EU – The Guardian

‘The UK has failed to ban 36 pesticides that are not allowed for use in the EU, as campaigners say it is becoming the “toxic poster child of Europe”. Though ministers promised the UK would not water down EU-derived environmental standards after Brexit, there have been multiple instances of divergence since the country left the bloc.’

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The Guardian, 13th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government may have broken law over sewage – watchdog – BBC News

Posted September 12th, 2023 in environmental protection, government departments, news, sewerage, waste, water by tracey

‘The UK’s environment watchdog suspects the government and regulators have broken the law over how it regulates sewage releases.’

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BBC News, 12th September 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

ClientEarth to face costs bill in directors’ liability case – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Campaigning law charity ClientEarth will have to foot its opponent’s costs in its failed attempt to hold directors of Shell personally responsible for the oil company’s environmental policies, the judge in the case has ordered. In ClientEarth v Shell plc & Ors, The Honourable Mr Justice Trower rejected an attempt under the civil procedure rules to claim a derogation from the ‘unsuccessful party pays’ principle.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 1st September 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Supreme Court spells out the limitations of nuisance – 4KBW

‘Georgia Whiting and Chris Bryden of 4 King’s Bench Walk report on a Supreme Court ruling on a major oil spill.’

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4KBW, 13th July 2023

Source: www.4kbw.co.uk

Landowner who felled more than a hundred trees told to replant them – Local Government Lawyer

Posted August 30th, 2023 in environmental protection, local government, London, news, planning, trees by sally

‘The London Borough of Bromley has said it is considering all legal measures after ordering a landowner to replace 131 trees that were felled without permission.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 29th August 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Is it time to re-assess the cab rank rule? – Doughty Street Chambers

‘In March, 2023, many lawyers, including 18 barristers, signed a “declaration” that they will not prosecute climate-change activists or act for those promoting new fossil fuel projects. Is the ‘cab rank rule’ [Code rC28 -29] under threat?’

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Doughty Street Chambers, 20th July 2023

Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk

UK sustainability disclosure standards expected by July 2024 – OUT-LAW.com

‘New UK sustainability corporate disclosure standards are expected to be endorsed by the UK government by July 2024.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 16th August 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Ffos-y-Fran: Campaigners go to courts to stop mine digging for coal – BBC News

‘Climate campaigners are taking legal action to try and force the closure of the UK’s largest opencast coalmine.’

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BBC News, 10th August 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk