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21 April 2023 / Dr Mike Wilkinson , Eimear McCann
Issue: 8021 / Categories: Features , ESG , Environment , Climate change litigation , Procedure & practice , CPR
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A greener future for litigation?

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Is litigation in its current form consistent with the UK’s carbon reduction commitments? Dr Mike Wilkinson & Eimear McCann make the case for rule reform
  • Litigation can be hugely carbon inefficient.
  • Many clients will want or need to pursue carbon reduction strategies, sometimes due to personal environmental beliefs, but also to meet ESG obligations.
  • The courts can already find ways to litigate more sustainably, including through e-service, e-disclosure, e-bundles or hearings (or parts of them) being held virtually.
  • However, such carbon reduction measures are far from routine and if we are to meet our legal obligations to transition to net neutrality, a shift in mindset is needed.

Litigants pay the courts not insignificant sums to litigate their civil disputes, not only through taxes but often through an issue fee of 5% of their claim’s value, capped at £10,000. If clients want or need to reduce the carbon emissions produced by litigation, neither the courts nor their lawyers should stand in their way.

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