Climate Bar Symposium: Towards a Model Environmental Law (Cóir Dlí an Chomhshaoil)

Date: Friday 21 January 2022

Start Time: 3pm

Finish Time: 5.45pm

2.5 CPD points


The Climate Bar Association was established in 2019 and it is a specialist association of the Bar of Ireland which aims to act at the forefront of environmental justice and law in Ireland and to become a thought leader of climate law expertise in Ireland. This is their inaugural event and the symposium is open to all to attend.


Event Timetable

3pm Introductory Video - Voices from the Future

Introduction by Clíona Kimber SC, Cathaoirleach, Comhshaol/ Climate Bar Association

Welcome address from Taoiseach Micheál Martin

3.10pm Session 1

Chaired by The Hon. Ms. Justice Marie Baker, Supreme Court

Louise Reilly BL: Duties and Principles of Environmental Law

Deirdre Ní Fhloinn BL: Ear to the Ground: What do the Stakeholders say?

Louise Beirne BL: Drafting a new Environmental Code – What it would look like and what would it do

Followed by Question & Answers


3.50pm Short Break


4pm Session 2

Chaired by Former Chief Justice, Mr Frank Clarke SC

Aoife Sheehan BL: Standing Issues in Environmental Litigation

Orla Heatley LL.B: Class Actions and Representative Actions

William Quill BL: Current Sanctions and New Remedies

Followed by Question & Answers


5pm Session 3: Interviews and Discussion

Towards an Environmental Court - Lessons from abroad

Presenter/Láirtheoir– Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, RTÉ

  • Clíona Kimber SC
  • Conor Linehan SC, William Fry Solicitors
  • Rose Wall, Community Law and Mediation Centre for Environmental Justice
  • Kevin Keane, An Taisce
  • Shirley Clerkin Heritage Officer Monaghan Co. Co.

Attendees will be supplied with the conference materials and links on the morning of the conference.

Kindly sponsored by

Tickets

Additional Information

Comhshaol, the Climate Bar Association is a specialist association of the Bar of Ireland which aims to act at the forefront of environmental justice and law in Ireland and to become a thought leader of climate law expertise in Ireland.  The Climate Bar Association has three interconnected objectives: 

  • Pursuing practical green and environmental initiatives within the Law Library and surrounding neighbourhoods, for example planting and landscaping for pollinators and reduction of plastic and achievement of energy efficiency. This ties in with the Law Library’s own green status as well as outreach to the community in Dublin 7.

  • Being a think-tank of environmental law expertise and thought leaders in environmental law and biodiversity protection for the Irish legal community and for Irish society. This will support the Bar of Ireland’s public service objectives as well as raising the profile and highlighting the expertise of the Bar externally.

  • Enabling members to use their expertise to support NGO’s and other litigants to engage in environmental advocacy and litigation where relevant. This supports the Bar’s pro-bono commitments, and also opens up and supports areas of work for our members.

For more information on the association, please contact us at climatebar@lawlibrary.ie or visit our website www.climatebar.ie