Demystifying the Cost of Environmental Justice on the island of Ireland

Lunch will be served at 12 noon with a drinks reception to follow the event at 4pm.

There will be 3 CPD points awarded for this event.

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This half-day conference will explore the ‘cost’ of environmental justice on the island of Ireland from two angles:

• What are the financial costs for citizens and NGOs who pursue environmental justice through the legal systems and how can we develop our understanding of the rules around costs in both jurisdictions?
• What sources of funding and other supports are available to citizens and NGOs in both jurisdictions, and are new initiatives required?

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Event Schedule:

12-12.45pm Networking lunch (Sandwiches & Tea/Coffee)

12.45-12.50pm Introduction and Welcome: Professor John Barry, QUB Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action and Dr Ciara Brennan, Director Environmental Justice Network Ireland

12.50-1pm Keynote Speaker: Senior Legal Figure

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1-1.45pm Panel 1: Experiencing Litigation  Panel conversation with litigants from both sides of the border in Ireland who have experienced strategic environmental and climate litigation from the perspectives of litigants in person, a community group and an NGO.

Facilitator: Maria McCloskey, Director, The Public Interest Litigation Support Project (PILS)

Panellists: 

• Dean Blackwood, Litigant in person and co-founder of The Gathering, 
• Lisa Dobbie, No Gas Caverns, 
• Judy Osborne, Friends of the Irish Environment.

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1.45-2.30pm Panel 2: Costing Litigation  Three short presentations (5-10 minutes) followed by a Q&A on the costs regimes north and south of the border and costs of taking transboundary cases.

Facilitator: Clíona Kimber SC, Chair of Comhshaol, the Climate Bar Association

Panellists: 

• Laura Neal, Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland, 
• Alison Hough, Technological University of the Shannon,
• Donnchadh Woulfe BL. 

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2.30-2.45pm: Coffee Break

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2.45-3.45pm Panel 3: Funding Litigation Panel conversation discussing the rules around funding on both sides of the border, sources of funding and ideas for improving access to justice from a financial perspective.

Facilitator: Monye Anyadike-Danes KC

Panellists: 

• Maria O’Loan, Tughan’s LLP,
• Fred Logue, Fred Logue Solicitors LLP. 

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3.45-4pm Closing Address by:

• Dr Orla Kelleher, Maynooth University - Introduction to final speaker,
• Marc Willers KC - Reflecting on recent developments in international case law.

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This event is organised by:

Comhshaol Climate Bar Association,

Environmental Justice Network Ireland (EJNI),

Friends of the Earth NI (FOE NI),

The Public Interest Litigation Support Project (PILS),

QUB Centre For Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action (SECA). 

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Accessibility Requirements: We wish for our events to be as welcoming, accessible and inclusive for all. Please provide us if comfortable with any accessibility related considerations so that we can endeavour to ensure a barrier free experience during the event. Email events@lawlibrary.ie to discuss your needs.