Climate Change & Environmental Law Panel
The Victorian Bar established the Climate Change and Environmental Law Panel in early 2010. The Panel was launched by the Hon. Justice Kevin Bell in March 2010.
The Panel has the following objectives:
- To promote the understanding of climate change and environmental law
- To represent and advise litigants on a pro bono or reduced fee basis in matters of public interest arising out of a concern for the environment and the impact of climate change
- To contribute to the development of effective legislation governing impacts to the environment
- To encourage the participation of other legal professionals and law students in the Panel's programs and cases
- To develop ‘green' initiatives for the Victorian Bar
The Panel Guidelines are available below.
Recent activities
- 'Gunns 20' litigation in which a number of barristers acted pro bono to defend the proceedings brought by Gunns in the Supreme Court of Victoria
- Recent action brought by the Wilderness Society and Lawyers for Forests against the Minister's approval of the Gunns Pulp Mill
- Blue Wedges action against the relevant Victorian Minister /State Government's approval of the dredging of Port Phillip Bay
- Assisting not-for-profits and community groups to challenge corporate proposals which may have adverse environmental consequences, as demonstrated in the legal action taken in relation to the proposed Gunns pulp mill and support for Blue Wedges protests
- Assisting with applications to government or industry for information regarding the economic viability of environmentally adverse developments
A list of Committee members is
shown here. All media enquiries should be directed to the
Chair.
Any barrister interested in joining the Panel should contact Jane Treleaven.
Guidelines 2011