Wildlife and Biodiversity Law for Ecologists & Conservation Professionals
This one-day workshop provides an essential core understanding of wildlife law and policy relating to protected sites, species and habitats, as well as an introduction to national and European legal systems.
We also cover the implications of the National Planning Policy Framework, the latest changes to European Protected Species law and licensing and the important provisions of the Environmental Liability Directive. We compare English, Welsh and Scottish law but focus on English and Welsh law.
How does this course differ from similar seminars?
- Designed and delivered by a tutor with expertise in both law and ecology. Clare O'Reilly is probably the only dual-qualified ecologist / lawyer in the UK running wildlife law courses. She was previously a solicitor with the leading environmental law group at the international firm Allen & Overy.
- Delivered by trained teachers.
Clare is a qualified teacher for adult education and an experienced university lecturer.
- Strictly limited to 16 delegates - as this is a complex topic and you will have many questions that may remain unanswered if the group is too large.
- Carefully structured to allow time for you to practise applying course information to practical situations relevant to your job.
Learn to:
- Describe the main features of the English and Welsh criminal and civil legal systems and how these interact with European law. Describe the core elements of a criminal offence. This is fundamental knowledge required to work on legal issues.
- Apply the legislation and government policy related to protected sites (SACs, SPAs, SSSIs & LWS), European and UK protected species and UK BAP priority habitats and species.
- Describe the latest amendments to the European Protected Species licensing system and how a court may interpret "disturbance" of European Protected Species and other elements of the EPS criminal offences.
- Evaluate the current status of BAP priority habitats and species in light of changes to planning policy under the National Planning Policy Framework and assess recent case law on the interpretation of local planning authority duties for protected species.
- Assess how environmental NGOs may use the provisions of the Environmental Liability Directive to restore or compensate for biodiversity damage.
- Navigate around key legal documents.
- Research, apply and distinguish case law relating to wildlife case studies.
- Distinguish when, as an ecologist, an issue has gone beyond your professional competence and you need to ask a lawyer!
