Legal News and Views - Asia Pacific and Beyond

UKLEA – July 2026 Updates – National Briefing for Law – Helping the ‘lost generation’ into work in environmental law

Words from our Chair…
The past ten days have been something else. I needed several days of lying down in my Irish meadow after that whirlwind…First, one of the best UKELA Annual Conferences yet. A lot of takeaways; one being, not to leave attendees with American horror story fresh in their minds. If anyone did not have reality vertigo before, they did after that. At least Jonathan Kahn was given a big virtual hug thanks to the audience participation on Slido.
 Then on to the massive London Climate Action Week, on which a lot more to come. Collaboration was one of the themes of my opening remarks at conference and it feels like we have only just started to realise what UKELA can accomplish.
Thank you to the inspirational Helen Mitcheson, who chaired UKELA Conference, to all who organised and spoke at the panels, to our exceptional keynote speakers, to our brave and brilliant early years contributors, to the attendees who asked superb questions and didn’t laugh at me when my dress matched the fireproof curtains, and most of all thank you to the indefatigable UKELA central staff team: Gareth de Graff, Pippa Heggie, Louise Hotchkiss. Finally, a huge welcome back to Roseanna Peppiatt and welcome to future UKELA member baby Peppiatt, who started his life right start by completely stealing the show at conference

If you were lucky enough to attend Conference, please do complete the feedback form, your thoughts are very important to us and will help shape Conference 2027, taking place in our 40th anniversary year!

Highlights this week

  • The theme for the August edition of elaw  is ‘Environmental litigation’. If you would like to contribute an article, please contact elaw@ukela.org. The deadline for submissions is 10 July.
  • Watch abridged films from the National Briefing for Law
  • Coastwise is hosting a discussion about the challenges and possible solutions in relation to coastal erosion. Book now to join the UKELA East and the Planning & Sustainable Development Groups, in North Norfolk on Friday 25 September

 

 

National Briefing for Law
On 22 June, UKELA joined other legal organisations, in supporting the National Briefing for Law, which opened London Climate Action Week 2026. Organised by Zoe Leventhal KC and Amanda Carpenter, and hosted by Pinsent Masons. The event brought together legal professionals, climate scientists, policymakers and sustainability leaders, to start a national climate conversation for law, and explore the urgent questions: How will the climate and nature crisis affect lawyers and how can they put climate and nature at the heart of decision making?
We are delighted to share a film featuring abridged versions of the expert addresses.
The speakers, chaired by Lord Sales, Deputy President of the Supreme Court, included: Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar Council England and Wales; Andrew Masraf, Global Senior Partner, Pinsent Masons LLP; Prof Paul Behrens, British Academy Global Professor, University of Oxford; Prof Hayley Fowler, Prof of Climate Change Impacts at Newcastle University, Tessa Khan, Executive Director of Uplift;  Prof Tim Lenton OBE, Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science, University of Exeter; Lt General Richard Nugee CB, CVO, CBE, Senior British Army Officer (retired) and Prof Nathalie Seddon, Founding Director of the Nature-based Solutions Initiative and The Agile Initiative at the University of Oxford.

 

Helping the ‘lost generation’ into work in environmental law

At the conference, Caroline Keenan (Associate Professor of Law and Legal Education, University of Exeter) and John Pearson (Senior Lecturer Manchester Law School, Manchester Metropolitan University) highlighted a growing concern: many aspiring environmental lawyers face limited exposure to environmental law during study, few opportunities for practical experience, and uneven access to career guidance – risking a “lost generation” entering the profession.

They are asking UKELA members to help change this by offering a small amount of time or expertise – supporting whole-cohort challenges or acting as an environmental law “hero” for a local university.

? Please take a moment to complete the form via the QR code on this document HERE

 

The June issue of elaw is our current issue. The theme is ‘Environmental permitting’. Please remember only members will be able to access this by signing in to their account. Please visit our website to read.

 

The elaw editors regularly receive book lists from publishers that may interest members who wish to contribute reviews. We are compiling a list of UKELA members interested in reviewing books for future editions of elaw. If you would like to be added to the list, or would like guidance before submitting a review, please email.

 

Our groups are open to all members to join, and provide a focus on devolved nations, environmental issues, regions, wild law, and Junior UKELA. They meet regularly to discuss topical issues, recent developments and proposals for reform. They also prepare responses to consultations and proactively engage with government and regulators over issues of particular importance for UKELA members.

Details of upcoming meetings for UKELA groups will be listed here as they become available. Group meetings are for group members only; they are a mix of in-person, hybrid and online. Anyone who is a member of UKELA is welcome to join these special interest groups.

Wales group is meeting on Thursday 9 July, 5 – 6pm (online).

UKELA East is meeting is a site visit to Langley Abbey on Wednesday 12 August, 10am, followed by lunch.

UKELA East in collaboration with the Planning & Sustainable Development Group invite you to register to join them in North Norfolk on Friday 25 September, for a discussion about coastal erosion, the challenges and possible solutions, hosted by Coastwise. Book HERE.

Email info@ukela.org if you would like to join any of the Groups, or group meetings.

 

One of our strategic aims is to provide ‘effective UK-wide influence’ as an independent, expert voice. Providing responses to government consultations, calls for evidence and inquiries helps us achieve this aim, via our specialist groups.

UKELA consultation responses are prepared by UKELA members volunteering to input into those papers and it regularly and generally asks members to volunteer if they are able to. Offers to help are always very welcome!

You can read our latest responses in our library.