Environmental Law and Citizen Action

Never before have people been so aware of the importance of sound environmental law, as every week stories of controversial planning developments and prosecutions for the release of toxic substances feature in the news.

Environmental Law and Citizen Action sets out and explains the ways that ordinary citizens can use the law to ensure the environment is protected. There are a number of existing UK laws which require local authorities to control pollution and protect the environments and many more which can be used to tackle environmental offenders, yet often local government officers themselves are unaware of the full scope of their powers. Writing in a clear, accessible style, Alan Murdie explains how to get access to the relevant information, participate in public enquiries, use the courts to challenge public and government bodies and prosecute polluters. This book maps a path through the intricate legal maze to show what rights every citizen has, and how those rights can be enforced. Alan Murdie is a barrister with long-standing interest and involvement in local government issues, and a lecturer at Thames Valley University. He is co-author of To Pay or Not To Pay, a best-selling analysis of the poll tax debate, and has contributed to a wide range of legal and government periodicals. Originally published in 1993