We are delighted to launch the 2025 Andrew Lees Essay writing competition. Please get involved by entering, or sharing details about the competition with your networks to help us spread the word. The competition is open to any student, either undergraduate or postgraduate; a trainee solicitor or pupil barrister; a solicitor or barrister with no-more than 2 years’ post qualification experience; and those seeking to qualify into such a position. Our question this year is: “Conferring rights on nature is the answer to weak environmental regulation.” Discuss.
Our thanks to Dr Victoria Jenkins (Associate Professor, Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law, Swansea University) and Dr Olivia Wooley (Associate Professor in Biolaw, University of Durham Law School) who set the question and will judge the essays. Please read the full entry requirements and details of how to enter HERE. The deadline is midday Monday 7 April 2025.
Highlights this week
- If you are in the Cambridge area on Monday (27 January), please come and visit us at the Green Career Fair in Cambridge. Sign up here to attend.
- Attend the Nature Conservation group meeting on Thursday (30 January / online). This will include a presentation on Seagrass Restoration and Marine Net Gain – an Assessment of the current environmental regulatory frameworks from a wildlife law perspective by the 2023 Nature Conservation Bursary winners, Csongor Szij and Olivia Draycott. Email info@ukela.org
if you would like to attend. - Join UKELA East on Thursday (30 January) for a talk on the Critical considerations associated with large energy projects from a planning and nature conservation perspective (hybrid / Ipswich), 5pm registration for a 5.15pm to 7pm talk, followed by refreshments. Please share our LinkedIn post with your networks for this topical event.
- UKELA’s Environmental Litigation group is hosting a new event on 18 February, 4:30pm to 7pm (London / hybrid), exploring the Potential benefits and challenges of establishing a dedicated Wildlife and Environment Court in the UK.
- Look out for an email invitation next week to a joint webinar with UKELA and IEMA on 11 February, 1.30pm to 2.30pm: Navigating the Future of Environmental Law: Corporate Compliance and Sustainability Strategies. This is the first of two webinars and is free to attend for members only.