Archived press release

New legal advice line to launch

13 November 2006

A new legal advice line, launching early next year, is looking for volunteers to provide members of the public with advice on their environmental rights. The new service, which is being set-up by Friends of the Earth's Rights & Justice Centre, will provide advice on matters relating to environmental law.

The service, which will initially operate on Wednesday evenings, will provide free advice and representation to members of the public and community groups seeking to use the law to protect their communities and the environment.

A small team of legal volunteers is needed to staff the line between the hours of 6.30-8.30pm. Training will be given, although volunteers would ideally have some knowledge of either public law or environmental law. Each volunteer would be expected to be available for approximately one advice session per month, working as part of a team of three.

Friends of the Earth's Right & Justice Centre Solicitor Phil Michaels said:

"This is a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in environmental law to develop their understanding and gain some experience. It is a new type of service that we hope will play an important role in helping people exercise their environmental rights."

Friends of the Earth's Rights & Justice Centre is a new initiative which aims to help members of the public raise awareness and understanding of the use the law to protect the environment. The Centre aims to help people use their environmental rights as enshrined in the Aarhus Convention - namely the right to know, the right to participate and the right to challenge through the courts [1]. The Centre has a particular commitment to working with communities that are most affected by environmental problems and that do not have access to the resources and support to tackle the problems [2].

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Phil McLeish at Friends of the Earth's Rights & Justice Centre on pmcleish@foe.co.uk.

Notes

[1] www.unece.org/env/pp

[2] For more information on work done by the Rights & Justice Centre, see: www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
high_court_to_rule_on_newb_01112006.html

www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
information_commissioner_a_06062006.html

www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
high_court_challenge_to_po_23052006.html

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust