The Court of Appeal has held that if the Government’s interpretation of the Paris Agreement is “tenable” the courts will not interfere – Six Pump Court

‘The case concerned the UK Government’s approval of UK Export Finance’s (“UKEF”) $1.15 billion investment in a liquified natural gas project in Mozambique. UKEF is the Government’s export credit agency and its aim is to ensure that no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance from the private sector.’

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Six Pump Court, 16th January 2024

Source: 6pumpcourt.co.uk

Climate Change and Investment Duties: a Prisoner’s Dilemma? – Pensions Barrister

Posted March 1st, 2024 in chambers articles, climate change, fiduciary duty, news, pensions by sally

‘James McCreath of Wilberforce Chambers comments on the recent FMLC report on pension trustees and fiduciary duties.’

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Pensions Barrister, 29th February 2024

Source: www.pensionsbarrister.com

Climate protesters guilty of trespass at Wimbledon – BBC News

Posted February 27th, 2024 in climate change, conditional discharge, demonstrations, news, sentencing, sport, trespass by tracey

‘Three Just Stop Oil protesters have been found guilty of storming the Wimbledon tennis courts with confetti and puzzle pieces.’

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BBC News, 26th February 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK quits treaty that lets fossil fuel firms sue governments over climate policies – The Guardian

Posted February 22nd, 2024 in climate change, energy, news, treaties by sally

‘The UK is pulling out of a treaty that lets fossil fuel firms sue governments over their climate policies.’

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The Guardian, 22nd February 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Onshore wind policy in England subject to legal challenge – OUT-LAW.com

Posted January 29th, 2024 in climate change, energy, government departments, judicial review, news, planning by sally

‘The UK government’s decision to omit onshore wind projects from the types of energy infrastructure projects that can generally be considered as ‘nationally significant infrastructure projects’ (NSIPs) under planning policy applicable in England is subject to a new legal challenge.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 26th January 2024

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

UN expert condemns UK crackdown on environmental protest – The Guardian

‘A severe crackdown on environmental protest in Britain with “draconian” new laws, excessive restrictions on courtroom evidence and the use of civil injunctions is having a chilling impact on fundamental freedoms, the United Nations special rapporteur has said.’

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The Guardian, 23rd January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Envrionmental Law News Update – Six Pump Court

‘COP 28 is due to begin on Thursday and already it is not without controversy. First leaked documents have, according to the BBC, revealed plans that the United Arab Emirates had as host of the UN climate talks to discuss fossil fuel deals with 15 nations, including commercial opportunities for its state renewable energy company with the UK.’

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Six Pump Court, 30th November 2023

Source: 6pumpcourt.co.uk

Chris Packham launches legal challenge over UK’s watering down of climate policies – The Guardian

‘Chris Packham has filed a high court legal challenge to the UK government over its decision to weaken key climate policies.’

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The Guardian, 4th December 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

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

Met uses new anti-protest powers to arrest climate protesters for first time – The Guardian

Posted November 1st, 2023 in climate change, demonstrations, London, news, police, public order by sally

‘Police have arrested more than 60 climate activists taking part in a slow march outside parliament in the first use of draconian new anti-protest powers.’

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The Guardian, 30th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Bristol grandma among Just Stop Oil M25 activists spared jail – BBC News

‘A 76-year-old grandmother is among 12 activists spared jail for causing “massive disruption” on the M25.’

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BBC News, 31st 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

Trudi Warner reveals the dark secret of English courts: juries do have the right to follow their consciences – The Guardian

Posted September 27th, 2023 in climate change, criminal justice, demonstrations, freedom of expression, juries, news by sally

‘The solicitor general taking action against a climate protester who held up a sign outside court raises a vital issue for criminal justice.’

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The Guardian, 27th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

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

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