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NLJ this week: Oil companies, corporate environmental crimes & big-scale group litigation

01 March 2024
Issue: 8061 / Categories: Legal News , Environment , Collective action , International , Jurisdiction
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How do you hold oil companies to account? In this week’s NLJ, Dr Angus Nurse sets out the legal routes for remedying corporate environmental harm

He refers to the Bille and Ogale group litigation, in which the High Court handed down judgment in November 2023, and other cases relating to Shell’s activities in the Niger Delta, where oil exploration has resulted in the pollution of the region’s vegetation, fishponds and drinking water.

‘The success of this litigation and others like it may be crucial in establishing that the “polluter pays” principle, which argues that those responsible for pollution should meet the costs of repairing the harm caused to the environment, can be enforced irrespective of where the harm takes place,’ writes Nurse, who is professor of law and environmental justice, Centre for Access to Justice and Inclusion, ARU Law School, Anglia Ruskin University.

One trend to note, Nurse writes, is that due to the challenges of litigation in Global South countries, action targeted at Global North corporate headquarters is emerging as an alternate tactic.

Nurse considers various legal routes to redress against multinationals that pollute, and argues that our notion of environmental harm should include human rights abuses and harm done to present and future generations.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

Maria Karaiskos KC, recently appointed as the first female head of Church Court Chambers, discusses breaking down barriers, the lure of the courtroom, and the power of storytelling

1 Hare Court—Peter Mitchell KC & Amber Sheridan

1 Hare Court—Peter Mitchell KC & Amber Sheridan

Leading family law set strengthens ranks with high-profile additions

Thackray Williams—Jennifer Nicol

Thackray Williams—Jennifer Nicol

Firm bolsters commercial team with senior employment partner hire

NEWS
Michael Zander KC, Emeritus Professor at LSE, tracks the turbulent passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through the House of Lords in this week's issue of NLJ. Two marathon debates drew contributions from nearly 200 peers, split between support, opposition and conditional approval
Alistair Mills of Landmark Chambers reflects on the Human Rights Act 1998 a quarter-century after it came into force, in this week's issue of NLJ
In his latest Civil Way column for NLJ, Stephen Gold surveys a raft of procedural changes and quirky disputes shaping civil practice. His message is clear: civil practitioners must brace for continual tweaks, unexpected contentions and rising costs in everyday litigation
Barbara Mills KC, chair of the Bar 2025 and joint head of chambers at 4PB, sets out in this week's NLJ how the profession will respond to Baroness Harriet Harman KC’s review into bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct at the Bar
Writing in NLJ this week, Kelvin Rutledge KC of Cornerstone Barristers and Genevieve Screeche-Powell of Field Court Chambers examine the Court of Appeal’s rejection of a discrimination challenge to Tower Hamlets’ housing database
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