research topics for legal environment

250+ Engaging Law Research Paper Topics

Hi there! When you start looking into law research paper topics, you find a whole world of amazing things to learn about. Maybe you are fascinated by criminal justice, maybe you care a lot about environmental law, or want to know more about human rights. The field of legal studies has so many interesting things to explore.

Think about digging into cyber laws, seeing how intellectual property rights affect things, or learning about international treaties. These topics aren’t just about rules; they’re about things that really matter in our lives every day.

You might be interested in talking about privacy laws in the digital world or how law and technology connect. Or maybe you want to see how courts shape our society or understand the challenges of immigration law.

As we go on this journey together, we’ll check out all sorts of cool law research paper topics. We’ll learn why they’re important in today’s world.

The Essentials Of A Good Law Research Paper Topic

Table of Contents

Choosing a good law research paper topic involves considering these aspects to ensure that the research is meaningful, feasible, and contributes to the legal discourse.

Relevance: A good topic should be relevant to current legal issues, societal concerns, or areas requiring legal clarification or reform. It should address a gap in understanding or propose solutions to existing problems.
Specificity: The topic should be specific enough to allow for in-depth exploration within the scope of a research project. A focused topic helps in conducting a comprehensive analysis and presenting coherent findings.
Interest and Significance: It should pique interest and hold significance within the legal field or society at large. A topic that explores emerging areas, challenges existing norms, or offers innovative perspectives tends to garner attention.
Feasibility: A good research topic should be manageable within the available time frame and resources. It should have accessible sources of information and data for analysis.
Debatable and Researchable: An ideal topic should invite discussion and allow for various viewpoints or arguments. It should also be researchable, meaning there should be available literature, cases, statutes, or data for analysis and interpretation.
Contribution to Knowledge: A good research topic contributes to the existing body of legal knowledge. It should offer new insights, propose novel approaches, or fill gaps in understanding within a particular area of law.
Ethical Considerations: Take regard to the ethical effects of the research topic, ensuring that it aligns with ethical standards and respects legal and moral principles.

250+ Law Research Paper Topics

Now the wait is over we have classified more than 250 topics in 25 different categories and the topics are as:

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

Search Menu
Sign in through your institution
Advance articles
Author Guidelines
Open Access
About Current Legal Problems
Editorial Board
Advertising and Corporate Services
Journals Career Network
Self-Archiving Policy
Dispatch Dates
Journals on Oxford Academic
Books on Oxford Academic

Article Contents

1. introduction, 2. the unpopularity of legislation, 3. why legislation is important, 4. environmental legislation: the challenge of evaluating it, 5. conclusion.

< Previous

Legislation and the Stress of Environmental Problems

Professor of Environmental Law, Faculty of Laws, University College London. Thank you to Liz Fisher and the anonymous referees for thoughtful and helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper, and to Paul Mitchell for his great patience in editing this article. All errors remain my own.

Article contents
Figures & tables
Supplementary Data

Eloise Scotford, Legislation and the Stress of Environmental Problems, Current Legal Problems , Volume 74, Issue 1, 2021, Pages 299–327, https://doi.org/10.1093/clp/cuab010

Permissions Icon Permissions

For lawyers and legal scholars, legislation seems a known quantity—a relatively permanent, public expression of democratic processes in parliamentary democracies and of the rule of law. This ‘knowable’ character can however be misleading, particularly in the field of environmental law. This article examines why research into environmental legislation is challenging but critically important. A short history of UK environmental law provides salient examples of political stress and highly complex, unsettled, even unknowable, environmental legislation. Collective environmental problems demand legislative responses in shaping individual behaviours and guiding social policies—but knowing how to craft these responses and how to evaluate the resulting legislation is often uncharted legal territory. Navigating that legislative terrain is a vital task for legal scholars and practitioners, particularly to investigate the serious legal problems that can arise from its construction, including poor legibility, legal fragmentation, and concerns about compatibility with the rule of law.

This article examines legislation that relates to environmental problems. Analysing environmental legislation—or legislation at all—has not conventionally been a fashionable topic in Anglo-American legal scholarship. Legislation has often been seen as ‘dull’, 1 as anathema to legal tradition, 2 or, slightly more positively, as the ‘Cinderella’ of legal scholarship. 3 However, in environmental law, legislation is the backbone of much of our legal field. 4 This article examines the complex and uncharted characteristics of environmental legislation, focusing on UK environmental legislation, and the important but challenging role of legal researchers in appraising this body of law. It also argues more fundamentally for the importance of legislation, as a part of environmental law and as an area for legal research.

The article is framed in three parts. First, it considers reasons for the reluctance to embrace legislation as a topic for legal inquiry. These reasons are historical, philosophical, and pragmatic. It highlights the longstanding skepticism of social and economic legislation as being particularly capricious, and an inferior source of law, particularly in contrast to the pure and rational common law. This inferiority was partly due to the tendency of this kind of law to respond to the ‘stress of circumstances’. 5 Against or despite these reasons, the second part of the article considers the virtues of legislation, and the reasons for the prominence of this form of law in environmental law. Collective, socio-politically contested and dynamic problems are well suited to lawmaking by legislation. And there are many instances of environmental law development where the stress of circumstances has driven legislative change. Whether it be a rapidly changing climate, developing knowledge about environmental threats, or major constitutional change (such as UK devolution, and the UK’s departure from the European Union), circumstances have demanded a policy and legal response in relation to environmental problems that legislation is well suited to provide. Whilst legislation can be compromised by politics and time pressures, 6 often leading to valid concerns over legislative quality, this is nonetheless socially vital law that requires interpretation, evaluation, and re-evaluation over time.

The final part of the article considers the scholarly and practical challenge in undertaking this evaluation. The challenge is not to disparage or ignore legislation but to make sense of it through robust scholarly methods. 7 For much environmental legislation, this task is methodologically demanding, since new legal concepts, obligations and amendments are frequent, and policy direction and outcomes are explicitly embedded in much legislative drafting. For lawyers and legal scholars, these conditions are not just complex, they can seem unknowable and even anathema to conceptions of what law should be. This part demonstrates these challenges by examining UK environmental legislation in two historical episodes—examining the statute book of UK environmental legislation as it developed up until its major reform to accommodate the UK’s departure from the European Union; and statutory reform for a functioning body of domestic UK environmental legislation in the wake of Brexit. These two episodic examples highlight the devilish complexity of much environmental legislation (the ‘purity’ of the common law has no place in this body of law), with implications for the rule of law and environmental protection, and reinforcing the importance of robust legal analysis and well-framed scholarly inquiry in making sense of this body of (ever changing) law.

A definition and a caveat are worth making at the outset. By ‘legislation’, this article refers to enactments formally passed by properly constituted lawmaking assemblies (legislatures). As for the article’s scope, whilst it is focused on UK environmental law, it is not a comprehensive assessment of all UK environmental legislation. It is focused mainly on legislation that applies to England or the UK as a whole, with examples drawn from the devolved administrations where these are illuminative. Its analysis is based on the law as it stands on 28 September 2021, at which time significant parts of UK environmental legislation remained in a state of flux in light of the complex and uncertain political and legal processes for the UK’s departure from the European Union. 8 The frustrating—and failed—attempt to finalise this article at a moment where UK environmental legislation had reached a newly settled phase with the introduction of new, generation-defining English Environment Act only reinforced the arguments of this article about the unsettled and dynamic nature of much environmental legislation. 9

Legal commentators and scholars have long maintained skepticism about legislation as a form of law and subject of inquiry. This has led to a paucity of scholarly analysis of legislation, 10 and presents an intellectual handicap for environmental law scholars, when much of our subject involves statutory regimes. Legislation has not been a popular topic for legal research for at least three reasons.

One reason is the deep-seated, historical animosity towards legislation from juridical and academic figures who have been fiercely defensive of the common law and suspicious of legislatures. At one ideological extreme, Friedrich von Hayek’s vision of law denied that legislation was in fact law (not ‘lawyer’s law’). 11 He resisted the role of socializing legislation, involving measures that must be executed by government or imposed on individuals, as opposed to rules of ‘just conduct’ that supported the existing order of things, allowing greater individual liberty. For Hayek, legislation implied a managerial vision of society, undermining individual freedom. Promoting this kind of law facilitated ‘the organization of a totalitarian order’. 12 Whilst there was a role for legislation, including in remedying injustices in the common law and responding to ‘wholly new circumstances’, this role was derivative and marginal. 13

Another source of historical animosity to legislation was deep legal conservatism. This is partly a nostalgic view—in 1953, Lord Radcliffe referred to statute law as the ‘ugly modern highway with its roaring traffic and its straight harsh lines’ and the common law to ‘by-ways that lead so pleasantly to park and manor house and old world cottages and the village green’. 14 This image relates to a vein of legal thought maintaining that legislation is qualitatively inferior to the common law. In 1948, the VC of Oxford was ‘sure that the Oxford Law School has been wise in excluding from its course those branches of the Law which depend on Statute and not on precedent’. 15 As far back as 1584, Sir Edward Coke in Harbert’s Case , dealing with a statute concerning the execution of debts, made clear that ‘Judges and sages of the law have always expounded [or interpreted] general statutes according to the rule of the common law, which is built on the perfection of reason, and not according to any private and sudden conceit or opinion’. 16 This view of common law reasoning being a more perfect or rational method of lawmaking has persisted as a reason for disparaging legislation. Sir Jack Beatson noted that it might even be a ‘psychological’ issue for some lawyers that statutes appear as an exception rather than a mainstream form of lawmaking. 17

Against this, there have been opposing views historically, often radical political and legal theories supporting the role of legislatures, as seen in the Benthamite vision of the omnicompetent legislature. For Bentham, the common law was corrupt and subjective and should be codified; the term ‘law’ ‘was invented … to denote a general Command of Public Government’. 18 A more practical vision of codifying the common law was supported by prominent 19 th century judges, such as Lord Westbury and Lord Cairns (who were deciding and struggling with significant common law cases on environmental pollution and harm at the time). 19 In Lord Westbury’s view, the common law and developing body of Victorian statute law would ideally have been reformulated into a digest to develop a more certain and coherent body of law. 20

The view disparaging legislation is partly a relic of history, reflecting a time when legislative activity, and the regulatory state that fuels this, was much less or only emerging. Times have changed and the role of legislation has become increasingly significant as our welfare and administrative state has developed and expanded, markets and social interconnections have become more complex (‘society [has grown] in size and sophistication’), 21 knowledge of externalities better known, governments more empowered, and MPs and Parliament more professionalized (particularly with the role of Parliamentary Counsel). By the late 19 th century, legislation—and the administrative state it was constructing—was a ‘growth industry’. 22

However, the turn towards increasing amounts of social and economic legislation—such as environmental legislation or workplace protection laws—has remained controversial. In his 1905 Lectures on the Relation between Law and Public Opinion in England During the Nineteenth Century , A V Dicey spoke of the late 19 th century trend of ‘legislation of collectivism’, which was threatening to individualistic values and promoted socialistic ideas that are ‘guided far less by the force of argument than by the stress of circumstances’. 23 For Dicey, legislating for popular or urgent needs of collective social policy was rash and undermined individual rights and even happiness. Furthermore, legislation can be ossifying or paralyzing—setting general norms down in legislation comes at the cost of the flexible adaptability of the common law. 24 Again, the purist rationality of the common law gripped philosophical thinking about the law. More recently and more ideologically, social and economic legislation is perceived by some as a threat to one version of the rule of law, if the rule of law is seen as a guarantee of basic substantive legal conditions that promote flourishing financial markets. 25 This includes protection of property rights and protecting freedom of contract and other market-enabling norms, as guaranteed through common law doctrines of contract and property. Social legislation, like environmental legislation, is seen, by contrast, as the unjustified wielding of state power, creating a society of capricious rule by men (in power for a period of time), expanding state control over people’s lives, rather than rule of ‘law’. 26

Beyond these reasons for hostility of lawyers towards legislation, another reason for neglecting legislation as an area of legal inquiry or controversy has been complacency, or perhaps slightly more positively, that we know what we are doing with legislation. Lawyers come out of law school feeling comfortable with statutes as a key part of the materials that lawyers use—we know how to read, interpret, apply legislation. Statutes are comfortingly static and solid, unless major reforms come along, and as legal academics and practitioners we often feel we should focus on ever changing case law to stay up to speed and see where interesting legal developments are occurring. 27

A third reason for legislation’s historical lack of popularity as an area of legal inquiry, which may still hamper research in this area, is the dullness factor. 28 Lengthy, technical legislation is very dry—interpreting legislation has been described as ‘intellectually exacting but spiritually sterilising’. 29 A P Herbert’s 1935 satirical book on the common law— Uncommon Law— explained (via a cranky judge) that there are no ‘references to fun’ in statutes. 30 However, reading and digesting statutes can be deeply interesting. Bringing legislation to life requires legal expertise, imagination, 31 and a keen awareness of the socio-political context in which the legislation was both drafted and must be implemented. Legal academics (and practitioners) possess these qualities and so perceived or superficial dullness is not a good enough reason to avoid or disparage research into legislation. Quite the opposite, the devil is often in the detail, and in seeing what the detail adds up to.

This dismal and quite cynical picture of legislation is not the only way of looking at things. For democratic, political and constitutional reasons, there is much to value in legislation as an important and fundamental part of our system of law. This is particularly the case for environmental legislation, which is a vital response to collective environmental problems.

A. The Virtues of Legislation

Legislation is a fundamentally important part of our legal and political system. First and foremost, it is important for lawmaking reasons—legislatures provide a forum for navigating disagreements over policy issues and determining an accepted basis for ‘action-in-concert’ across society. 32 They allow the investigation and testing of policy ideas through Parliamentary deliberation, consultation, expert advice, and ultimately general decisions of policy or principle to be made on the basis of voting and enactment. For Jeremy Waldon, it is not a simple theory of representative democracy that justifies such legislative measures as law, 33 but lawmaking through ‘a process that related a legislative proposal to the complexity and multiplicity of persons, regions, relations, and circumstances, with which the proposed law would have to deal’. 34 In the field of environmental law, this lawmaking function is particularly important, since environmental problems are infused with socio-political issues that require complex policy judgments to be made, involve diverse stakeholders and geographies, and often give rise to intense and ongoing political disagreement (such as the level of protection to be adopted in relation to water or air quality, and the behaviours to regulate in order to reach that standard). 35 These are not the kinds of disagreements or issues that the common law is suited to addressing through bilateral adjudication, 36 which is essentially concerned with vindication of individual rights. 37 There is only so much the law of public nuisance can do for environmental protection, or private nuisance for that matter. 38

Legislation is particularly important as a means for setting and updating social goals. In the face of social, economic, environmental and demographic change, or new knowledge about these aspects of society, the law needs to adjust and adapt. As Waldron eloquently puts it, ‘That matters like these may need collective attention from time to time is not a cranky or anomalous position; it is not Bolshevik or socially destructive; it is the ordinary wisdom of human affairs’. 39 As noted above, 40 even Hayek acknowledged that legislation is required to adapt the law to ‘wholly new circumstances’ but, in relation to environmental issues, this requirement is the norm rather than the exception. This political necessity may pose philosophical questions about the integrity of a legal system, 41 but it presents a vision of our legal and regulatory order in which legislation plays a major role. As the 19 th century jurist Henry Maine noted, in the face of rapid social and technological change, ‘social necessities and social opinion are always more or less in advance of Law… Law is stable; the societies of which we are speaking are progressive. The greater or less happiness of a people depends on the degree of promptitude with which the gulf is narrowed.’ 42 In other words, legislation is vital for important social issues to be addressed through law in a timely way.

Legislation is also important for constitutional reasons—it establishes frameworks for the lawfulness of executive action and, as the ‘epitome of lawmaking’, embodies many aspects of the rule of law ideal (on many theoretical accounts of that concept). 43 In principle, legislation is publicly available and accessible, the process of making legislation is transparent and highly formalised, 44 legislation can establish rules that govern both individual and governmental action in advance. 45 And for rule of law reasons, it is important that legislation in fact possesses these attributes.

In theory at least, through formal legislative processes that address policy disagreements and the predictability that legislation brings to the rules that govern us, legislation becomes a ‘settled, solid, known’ part of the legal landscape. And in settled times, in relation to knowable issues and well-known statutes, that is how legislation tends to operate. But environmental problems are not always knowable and the times are not always so settled, whether in the UK through the era of Brexit, or internationally in light of environmental crises (amongst other global challenges). These times, this disruption, 46 particularly in the environmental context, show that legislation—drafting it, debating it, shaping it, agreeing it, understanding it—is a pressing topic for analysis and debate, which can give rise to fraught methodological and theoretical questions. That is, environmental legislation often provokes questions about how we analyse and understand legislative developments in a rigorous way, and how we think about the nature of law and how it should govern us.

B. The Prominence of Legislation in Environmental Law

Returning to Dicey, he was writing at a time when regulation of collective problems by the state through legislation was a relatively recent phenomenon in England. Through urbanization and industrialization, and their polluting byproducts, the case for regulating environmental problems had become pressing through the 19 th century, and a series of general environmental statutes began to be passed in England. These included a series of Public Health Acts (1848, 1858, 1875), the Alkali Act of 1863 (controlling certain forms of industrial pollution), and the Rivers Pollution Prevention Act 1876. Major statutes were also passed in the 20 th century, often in response to environmental crises, such as the Clean Air Act 1956, which brings us into the modern era of environmental legislation.

This potted story of legislative development is not unique to England or to the UK, and we see that legislation is the usual legal response to environmental problems in many parliamentary systems of government. 47 This is because of the nature of environmental problems: they are collective (in both cause and impact—degradation of biodiversity is not due to a single individual’s act and its remediation is addressed by a collective set of responses); they concern externalities to a variety of social and economic behaviours that humans unthinkingly (or thinkingly but carelessly) undertake, often for reasons of maximizing their own welfare; they are dynamic; and often beset with scientific uncertainty. 48 Environmental problems can also be existential (climate change, or biodiversity loss) and implicate complex questions of social justice (consider house prices on highly polluted streets, or some of the countries being worst affected by climate change).

Addressing these kinds of problems through law rarely fits neatly into existing legal doctrines or categories and is not easily done through bilateral adjudicative disputes, as indicated above. 49 Beyond common law approaches, promoting individual freedom of action, reliance on markets, or self-help in thinking about norms for environmental protection (‘buy a house away from that terrible pollution’) is to ignore or misunderstand the nature of environmental problems. If a society places political value on addressing environmental problems, this typically requires legislation to decide on concerted and collective action relating to complex environmental problems. 50 It also usually requires legislation that establishes administrative architectures to allow us to understand and monitor scientifically complex environmental problems, as much as to regulate behaviour to ameliorate, remedy or prevent them. Even with economic instruments or more consensual approaches to dealing with environmental problems, the state has a key role in establishing and implementing environmental regimes. 51

Thus, in the UK today, we have extensive legislative regimes that relate to air quality control, 52 environmental permitting, 53 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trading, 54 waste regulation, 55 biodiversity and wildlife protection, 56 climate change regulation, 57 water pollution and water standards, 58 town and country planning, 59 environmental impact assessment, 60 regulation of chemicals, 61 environmental sanctions, 62 protecting landscapes, 63 marine environment protection, 64 regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), 65 and more. Legislation is required to give the state a role, and all of us a stake, in these issues that affect the natural environment, our built environment, and our health and wellbeing.

So collective, complex, dynamic environmental issues inherently lend themselves to concerted action through legislative measures. Moreover, legislation can be particularly important in the area of environmental law. It is highly symbolic. It sets out state-sponsored commitments to sets of rules and regulatory priorities in areas of environmental policy, to citizens, businesses, and even other countries. 66 It also plays an important role in delimiting as well as constructing administrative structures within the state to address environmental issues through regulatory activity 67 – extensive state power governing environmental issues is subject to law through legislative definition of that power.

As indicated above, legislative processes are also important for addressing the kinds of socio-political conflict inherent in developing responses to many environmental problems. Climate change is a prime example where the desired policy goals over recent decades have been contentious, and the means of achieving those policy goals (after further legislative change in 2019, 68 the UK has a legislative commitment to reducing GHG emissions by 100% against 1990 levels by 2050) remain so. The UK Climate Change Act 2008 is important not just for its strong external signal that climate change is a core concern of the UK government, but because the legislative process behind its creation allowed views to be aired and debated in Parliament on this fraught issue of social and economic policy. Its enactment then formally resolved any disagreement that climate change was a pressing policy problem that required long-term transformational social and economic change. It also established an institutional architecture (through 5-yearly cycles of carbon budgeting and the Committee on Climate Change’s role in particular) that structures ongoing policy debate about how to achieve our committed climate goals. For a polycentric problem like climate change that impacts on many sectors (and many areas of government), whether in addressing mitigation or adaptation, responding to this ‘all of society’ problem is a task particularly well suited to legislative assemblies and legislation. 69

The nature of environmental problems thus makes a strong case for having environmental legislation, and we indeed have lots of it. But what makes environmental legislation a fraught topic for evaluation and scholarly research? This question matters because, without robust methods for examining environmental legislation (and an inclination to undertake this kind of work), there is a lot at stake, both in thinking about the integrity of our lawmaking system and law more generally, and in terms of environmental protection. This section first examines key features of environmental legislation that make it uncharted territory for legal analysis, and then analyses the UK environmental law statute book in two episodes: the complex statute book that had developed up until the major law reform phase required for the UK to leave the European Union; and the large exercise of statutory reform in UK environmental law to facilitate Brexit. Both these episodes highlight the legal variety and complexity of environmental legislation and the problems created by legislating for environmental protection under the ‘stress of circumstances’.

A. The Uncharted Features of Environmental Legislation

Environmental legislation is an unruly legal landscape. Legislative change happens at a speed and scale that is demanding, if not impossible, to keep on top of—just seeing the legislative landscape accurately can be hugely difficult. In addition, novel legal concepts are introduced in legislation, with no pre-existing frames of analysis—these include new forms of property such as ETS (emission trading scheme) allowances, 70 or a duty of care in waste regulation that is unrelated to tort law duties of care, 71 or duties on Ministers to establish plans for achieving environmental outcomes in ‘within the shortest possible time’. 72 There is no pre-defined methodology for categorizing or researching these creations of environmental legislation. 73 This matters because we need ways of conceptualizing these legal notions and obligations, of knowing whether they are useful or not and if they are well designed for their purposes. They are no less significant to consider as legal norms because they are ‘regulatory’, which is the implication when legislative provisions remain relatively ignored by scholars and commentators until some illuminating case law comes along. There is also the significant challenge of ‘legal interdisciplinarity’ 74 – understanding how new norms and forms of regulation for addressing environmental problems sit within the existing institutional, constitutional, and doctrinal legal structures that already exist, or which are co-evolving, such as doctrines of public law, property law, or tort law. 75

Furthermore, environmental legislation is legally unusual in that it routinely expresses, dictates, or relies on policy. One might say that all legislation reflects policy choices but this is something distinctive. Some legislation requires environmental ‘policy’ to be taken into account in decision-making, giving rise to legal questions about what such legislatively framed ‘policy’ is. 76 Furthermore, significant pieces of environmental legislation are ‘policy-like’ in that they expressly goal oriented 77 – establishing outcomes of result to be achieved (by government) rather than standards of individual conduct. 78 Thus some statutes require: that government achieves prescribed levels of air and water quality within a certain timeframe; 79 that we achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050; 80 that government must draw up strategic plans and programmes for waste prevention and recovery, for air quality, and so on, according to specific criteria and goals. 81 This approach to lawmaking is not just at odds with some prominent legal philosophical accounts of what law is, 82 it also has constitutional ramifications. Legislation prescribing strict environmental policy outcomes sets constraints on policymaking across wide spheres of economic and social life that might be thought the discretionary domain of government policymaking. Thus, for example, legal obligations to achieve air quality standards require concerted, coordinated action to be taken in a wide range of government policy areas, from transport and industry, to town planning and environmental monitoring, as well as through individual behaviour (it is no wonder that achieving these standards has been so elusive). 83 These kinds of statutory duties and obligations set up policy tensions with the way that the UK government has conventionally operated—both in its structure and with its perceived policy prerogative. A related legislative phenomenon, with constitutional implications, is seen where high-level government policymaking is subject to strategic environmental assessment. 84 Again, government policy discretion is legally limited by legislative provisions that do not carry the jurisprudential weight of ‘rights’ and which are not framed in any quasi-constitutional form (in fact these policy limitations are contained in secondary legislation, transposed originally from EU law). 85

In the common law tradition, policy ideas like environmental protection goals are generally divorced from legal reasoning and legal analysis. 86 A similar reluctance to embrace policy goals on the face of legislation affects the tradition of UK legislative drafting, 87 with high level policy goals being more appropriate for political debate and governmental discretion. 88 Thus when policy goals become legally mandated or legal norms become mandated through policy—as happens in some environmental legislation—lawyers find themselves in uncomfortable theoretical, doctrinal, and methodological territory. 89

All of these legally uncharted features of environmental legislation are rife in the UK statute book, and exacerbated by the drafting techniques, frequent amendment, and sheer density of UK environmental legislation. These features require repeated acts of ‘legal imagination’ on the part of lawyers—practising and scholarly alike—to construe these developments, weave them into the legal order, and develop our corpus of environmental law. 90 The following sub-sections explore this empirical reality through an historical narrative, demonstrating the contours of this body of law in two episodes: pre- and post-Brexit.

B. The Pre-2019 UK Environmental Statute-Book

The landscape of modern UK environmental legislation is over 40 years in the making, located in a wide array of statutes, which have been repeatedly reformed, supplemented, updated. Frequent amendment—done usually by means of ‘legislative microsurgery’ rather than fresh legislation 91 – is to be expected in the field of environmental law as environmental problems, and our knowledge and priorities concerning them, continually evolve. Environmental legislation is also highly fragmented—with legislative power in the environmental field devolved to the four nations of the UK adding a considerable layer of complexity in this respect. 92 Even general environmental statutes read as miscellaneous lists of provisions relating to different environmental policy areas (waste, air quality, contaminated land etc), and over time are hollowed out with extensive deletions and subsequent amendments, which are not consolidated. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 is not easy reading, and accessing it online might not be accurate reading. 93

Environmental legislation also relies heavily on secondary legislation, supporting guidance, Ministerial directions, and various obscure drafting techniques for incorporating the extensive body of EU environmental law, 94 which, until 31 December 2020, was applicable in the UK. The EU has competence, on the basis of subsidiarity, in a wide range of environmental policy matters, 95 and has used this competence to legislate extensively since the 1970s. Transposing this EU environmental legislation into UK law over time led to an extensive reliance on secondary legislation in UK law in establishing environmental regimes. For example, the entire English permitting regime is contained in secondary legislation (a virtuoso example of legislative drafting); 96 the main water pollution offence is in secondary legislation; 97 the habitats protection and EIA regimes are contained in secondary legislation, 98 woven then into the planning system, also constructed by legislation. 99

From a rule of law perspective, it is deeply problematic that primary obligations of conduct are contained in secondary legislation. 100 This undermines the transparency and public ‘knowability’ of legal obligations, and it also makes the process by which secondary legislation is created particularly important. When advocating the rule of law virtues of legislation, Waldron explains the importance of ‘legislative due process’ as involving: 101

Bicameralism, checks and balances (such as executive veto), the production of a text as the focus of deliberation, clause-by-clause consideration, the formality and solemnity of the treatment of bills in the chamber, the publicity of legislative debates, successive layers of deliberation, and the sheer time for consideration-formal and informal, internal and external to the legislature-that is allowed to pass between the initiation and the final enactment of a bill.

Secondary legislation does not get this kind of due process, particularly when subject to the negative resolution procedure in Parliament, but it can have wide-ranging regulatory impacts. Environmental law is not the only area of law that is a casualty of bypassed parliamentary process, 102 and the UK statute book is generally compromised by ‘legislative hyperactivity’, as Lord Bingham has described it in criticizing the accessibility of UK legislation. 103 But environmental law is a subject particularly suited to legislation, and where the EU has legislated widely, leading to extensive transposition of environmental law by secondary legislation through a system of delegated lawmaking that is not transparent or reliability rigorous in its scrutiny processes. 104 This means environmental law is a subject particularly beset by these kinds of rule of law issues.

Thus, the statute book for environmental law is messy, fragmented, not easily intelligible, and not as well made as it might be—less ugly modern highway; more unplanned urban sprawl. This has at least three consequences. One is that environmental lawyers need to be really good lawyers. For many environmental law practitioners and professionals, this legislative complex is their ‘material’, 105 the law that they work with and that they know. They are expert in knowing and applying it. Second, more worryingly, legislative complexity and obscurity might undermine environmental protection. Eric Orts, observing a similar situation in US environmental legislation, described expanding, unwieldy environmental legislation as ‘environmental juridification’, or as others had less politely called it, ‘legal pollution’, which has troubling consequences: 106

The sheer amount environmental law threatens to clog the wheels of society as a whole… When a body of law becomes so complex and arcane that it cannot even be known, let alone fully complied with or enforced, one cannot hope that its objectives will be realized.

The third consequence is that the integrity of the law is compromised. This picture of law is compromised on at least the grounds of publicity, practicability, consistency, intelligibility—four of the eight principles that, on Lon Fuller’s account, comprise the inner morality of the law (assuming legislation counts as law). 107 This view was supported by empirical findings of a project undertaken by the UK Environmental Law Association in 2011-12. 108 This project analysed the coherence, transparency, and workability of UK environmental legislation, including through interviewing environmental law professionals, jurists, academics, and businesses subject to environmental laws. It found that UK environmental legislation is too complex and lacks clarity, that various legislative practices adversely affect the coherence and transparency of environmental legislation (such as referential drafting, frequent amendment without consolidation, and use of Ministerial directions), and that the overall legislative picture is poorly integrated (substantively and administratively). 109 The report also found that the overreliance on secondary legislation makes environmental legislation particularly vulnerable to weaker oversight processes in its creation. 110 To remedy these legal flaws, the report made initial recommendations for change—concerning consolidating legislation, the appropriate use of guidance, reviewing particularly troublesome provisions, exploring clunky intersections between different legislative regimes, and on improving legislative scrutiny practices. 111 In making these recommendations, that project unearthed a legislative timebomb that subsequently exploded with Brexit.

C. The Brexit Environmental Legislation Explosion

The UK’s departure from the European Union, formally on 31 January 2020, led to a further, time-pressured episode of legislative hyperactivity in UK environmental law. This involved rewriting an extensive body of EU-derived UK legislation to ensure that it remained valid law once the supporting structure of the European Communities Act 1972 was withdrawn. This hectic lawmaking episode augmented considerably the transparency, legibility and legitimacy problems with the existing statute book outlined in the previous sub-section.

Preparing the UK statute book for the UK’s planned departure from the EU was an immense job for parliamentarians and government officials. Part of that workload was attempting to ensure that the UK’s EU-derived environmental law (amongst all other EU-derived law) was properly ‘retained’ as the UK left the EU, to facilitate a ‘calm and orderly’ Brexit. 112 Environmental policy was the area of UK government most affected by this task. The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) had more legislation to ‘Brexit-proof’ than any other government department, being responsible for around 25% of all, or around 100, statutory instruments (‘SI’s) introduced under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018’s controversial powers to amend EU law to eliminate any ‘deficiencies’ in the law on EU exit day. 113 This work in retaining EU environmental law was partly an exercise of detailed rewriting of many specific legislative provisions—done through new secondary legislation (with less scrutiny, at speed and at scale) – to ensure it ‘made sense’ without the rest of EU law and EU institutions to refer to or rely on. Furthermore, this exercise in SI amendment of our statute book was, despite the official characterization, far from technical. Emily Lydgate and colleagues have shown, in the context of food safety legislation, that this is because SI amendments are establishing a new set of domestic institutional ‘capacities, competencies and procedures’ for regulating environmental issues (such as GMO authorization), and also creating Ministerial powers to further amend regulation in the future. 114

Beyond legislative complexity created by this vast redrafting exercise, which was aimed primarily at keeping environmental law static as the UK left the EU, there were other ‘legal gaps’, 115 and indeed legal opportunities, which opened up in the huge legal transition of Brexit. In terms of legal gaps, there are aspects of EU environmental law that applied in UK law when it was bound by EU law, but which sat beyond the UK legislation directly transposing EU environmental law. These included EU institutional structures and governance frameworks, including the impactful infraction powers of the EU Commission, 116 and the environmental principles located in the EU Treaties (such as the precautionary principle and polluter pays principle). 117 These environmental principles are a legal archetype of crystallising environmental policy in legal form, with constitutionalised roles in the EU treaties, and they have played fundamental roles in shaping EU and thus UK environmental law over the last 40 years. 118

These ‘legal gaps’, such as losing the higher normative status of environmental principles though Brexit, prompted much consternation amongst UK politicians and NGOs when the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 was being negotiated. A commitment to ensuring that the full gamut of EU environmental law was brought across into UK law on EU exit was seen as critical to ensuring that environmental standards would not fall in the UK after Brexit. 119 The perceived guarantee to guard against this policy dilution risk was legislation, with legalizing policy goals through legislation as part of the answer. Environmental principles introduced in UK legislation were seen as fundamental legal guarantees in this respect. Indeed, in all jurisdictional settings where environmental principles have a legal role, the symbolic value of environmental principles in entrenching a long-term, ambitious vision for environmental law and policy is a prominent feature. 120 And the stronger the legal prescription of principles, the more embedded are their legal effects. 121 However, in this particularly fraught legislative exercise, designing environmental principles as fundamental features of UK (rather than EU) legislation was not easy, drawing UK environmental legislation yet again into unchartered ‘policy’ waters.

Beginning in 2018, a tortured process of creating new UK environmental legislation to fill EU governance gaps unfolded. This resulted in the UK/English Environment Bill 2019-21, and what is now the related UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021. 122 During the political and legislative processes for creating these statutes, 123 there were intense debates over how EU environmental policy principles might be retained in a domestic statute; 124 and related debates over whether ambitious environmental objectives should appear on the face of the Bill, 125 and over how non-regression of environmental standards might be guaranteed in legislation. 126 One view is that none of these things is appropriate for legislation, 127 or that these things are legally impossible to craft (particularly in the case of non-regression in light of parliamentary sovereignty where a future parliament can always override the statutory will of the current parliament). 128 However, if we accept that environmental legislation is properly concerned with promoting environmental goals, and that this cannot happen only by providing rules of conduct (such as through permitting regimes and environmental offences), this also requires some legal prescription and articulation of collective environmental policy goals. In the post-Brexit UK context, this imperative became a contentious and complex exercise in legislative drafting and enactment.

The UK/English Environment Bill did not only seek to introduce environmental principles, and fill key governance gaps after Brexit, including creating a new enforcement machinery for English environmental law. It was the first major piece of primary UK environmental legislation in two decades, with major sections reforming law on air quality, water quality, waste and nature conservation. The government introduced the Bill as an opportunity for world-leading environmental law reform. 129 It is however a curiously, and worryingly, drafted piece of legislation. It puts unusual amounts of power in the executive throughout (‘executive environmental law’ as Liz Fisher explains it), 130 raising concerns about the constitutional propriety of this post-Brexit legislation. It also introduces environmental standard-setting powers that may allow weaker environmental standards to be introduced in the future. 131 Its new enforcement regime turns on a definition of ‘failing to comply with environmental law’ that baffles—the existence of an explicit definition suggests that the conduct covered is either wider or narrower than the literal meaning of this phrase. 132 Its compliance mechanism ultimately relies on principles of judicial review for enforcing breaches of environmental law, 133 which conflates the purposes of administrative law (good public administration) and regulatory enforcement (good regulatory outcomes). On environmental principles, the Bill delegates the policy-mandating function of these principles to a prescriptive policy statement, drafted by the Minister, which is subject to weak parliamentary scrutiny. 134 It enshrines environmental principles in primary legislation as free-floating ideas that have no firm legal anchors or explicit connections to the rest of environmental law, including weak statutory links to the sections in the rest of the Bill.

The Bill’s provisions are not known or solid, whether to lawyers, scholars, or the public. They construct a form of UK environmental legislation that is very hard to analyse. Three parliamentary committees directly investigated the partial draft Bill and the full Bill, 135 and government consulted widely on whether and how the legislation would work. Academic debate and discussion were vibrant and highly engaged. 136 In public and private discussions about this much debated legislation, the stress and consternation were palpable. This stress was driven by politics. As outlined above, there was a strong political mandate in government to deliver legislation that is ‘legally equivalent’ to existing EU environmental law, whilst a political drive to legislate to uphold high environmental standards was motivating NGOs, some MPs, and increasingly the public. At the same time, the UK has a legal and political culture in which prescribing policy (and constructing enforcement mechanisms against the government) in primary legislation is not the norm, and faces resistance. This problem of environmental politics created a huge legal and legislative challenge, which played out under considerable time pressure. This was very much Dicey’s territory of legislation having being produced by the ‘stress of circumstances’.

This Bill must also sit alongside the rest of the body of UK environmental legislation. It does not just add to a fragmented and complex legal landscape but multiplies it, in three different ways. First, the Bill’s commencement provisions allow for staggered temporal enlivening of different parts of the Bill, and its geographical coverage is highly fragmented. 137 Second, the Bill drives legal fragmentation aross the constituent elements of the UK. Related legislation in the devolved administrations looks set to diverge from the English Bill in key respects. This is already seen in the Scottish Continuity Act 2021, which contains firmer statutory commitments to environmental protection goals and environmental enforcement. 138 Third, the Bill must also sit alongside retained EU law, and the pre-existing body of UK environmental legislation. Pre- and post-Brexit environmental law thus create a further axis of legal fragmentation. Making sense of this complex statutory landscape is a tall order, since these different bodies of UK environmental legislation have not been designed to co-exist neatly.

Take, as an example, the air quality standards that have become symbolic and important benchmarks for clean air across the EU. 139 In English law, post-EU exit, to know what air quality standards are, one must look first to the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010, 140 which implemented EU law standards, but as these are amended by The Air Quality (Amendment of Domestic Regulations) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. 141 One must also look at similar but not equivalent air quality standards and objectives in the national Air Quality Strategy , introduced under the Environment Act 1995. Then it is necessary to look at the UK/English Environment Bill, which contains further provisions for setting air quality standards on a different model of standard setting (long term, capable of being achieved, subject to being lowered), under which at least two new air quality standards must be introduced, again in secondary legislation. 142 If the legal obligations relating to any of these standards are required to be interpreted in court, they will be subject to different schemes of legal interpretation (since some are retained EU law and some are new English law), thanks to the provisions of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 on the interpretation of retained EU law. 143 This interpretive statute is potentially further complicated by the troublesome section 26 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020, giving Ministers power to issue delegated legislation dictating which courts and tribunals should be able to depart from CJEU judgments. And this is only to discern English standards; a different set of air quality standards may continue to emerge in the legislation of the UK’s devolved administrations, assuming they retain environmental policymaking discretion in this respect. This legislative picture—of knowing what is a basic UK environmental standard and understanding related legal obligations—is overwhelming for a legal practitioner or academic, not to mention being the wickedest problem question you might set for a law student. Knowing what our environmental law is became much harder after Brexit, and this kind of legislative picture is alarming for legal clarity, for transparency, and for the rule of law.

The answer to this highly unsatisfactory state of affairs is not to reject legislation as a form of law, or to retreat to conventional forms of legislative drafting that fail to grasp the legal complexities of our EU/UK recent legal history, or to compromise our committed social goals of environmental protection, or to get something down in legislation and hope for the best in our bright political future. Robust and subtle legal analysis was and remains critically important at this huge moment for environmental legislation, 144 and it is what academics and legal practitioners are trained to do. We need to craft new frames of reference where appropriate, 145 dissect the detail, 146 and argue the case when legislation is flawed (on policy, analytical, or rule of law grounds). 147 It is particularly the task of environmental law scholars to find new paths at the legislative frontier of the UK’s unknown future environmental law. 148

Under the stress of environmental problems and rapid political change, environmental legislation is under strain. We see our familiar frames of reference faltering, our scholarly tools straining, the political and environmental stakes escalating, our questions about the role—and rule—of law proliferating. The environmental law community is often under time pressure to react to this state of affairs. Bad law being created is a distinct risk, with the attendant risk of seriously undermining environmental protection efforts.

One response to this is to bury one’s head in the sand and reject legislation as a valid form of law. For environmental problems, that is not an option. Dicey’s stressful circumstances are very real, particularly due to the key features of many environmental problems—socio-political and scientific complexity, dynamism, and the collective nature of these problems. The rationality of the common law does not fully address these kinds of social challenges, and leaving these issues unregulated is not a palatable option. We need to heed Dicey’s warning about the risks of compromised legislation being made, but equally, legislative responses are needed for the state to address increasingly urgent and existential collective environment problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss and air pollution. This legal—and political—reality has however given rise to serious transparency, legibility and legitimacy problems with the existing UK statute book. These are only exacerbated by new legal approaches and layers of legal fragmentation ushered in by post-Brexit law reform. Much of the terrain of UK environmental legislation remains relatively uncharted territory for lawyers and legal scholars—from the legal character of legislative ‘policy’ and ‘environmental principles’ to the legal nature of environmental ‘outcome’ obligations. The challenge of mapping this law, and imagining its meaning and implications, is only intensifying in complexity and importance in the post-Brexit era.

The field of environmental law has sometimes been marginalized—in political and scholarly communities alike 149 – and its contours are not easily defined or tested as an area for anlaysis and research. Times of stress are not just moments of risky lawmaking; they are also moments to galvanise scholarly and legal experience and ensure that difficult and pressing questions about environmental legislation, including new UK legislation that may shape our environmental law for decades to come, are asked (and asked again) and robustly investigated. When questions about the transparency, clarity, and constitutional propriety of new environmental legislation are arising, the intricate details of environmental legislation are not only deeply interesting but vital to explore.

PJ Fitzgerald, ‘Are Statutes Fit for Academic Treatment’ (1971) 3 Journal of the Society of Public Teachers of Law 142.

This attitude is deep rooted in the English common law. Coke and Blackstone advocated the purity and rationality of the common law, unpolluted by statute, see eg Harbert’s Case (1584) 3 Co Rep 11b, 13b. This scepticism goes back even further and can be seen in Roman law: R Zimmermann, ‘Statuta Sunt Stricte Interpretanda? Statutes and The Common Law: A Continental Perspective’ (1997) 56(2) CLJ 315.

B Hepple, ‘The Renewal of the Liberal Law Degree’ (1996) 55(3) CLJ 470, 481. In 2019-20, legislation had a major moment in UK law – Brexit providing this Cinderella’s moment at the ball, as the UK and its devolved administrations sought to adapt their statute books to ensure continuity of laws and institutions as the United Kingdom left the European Union (see Section 4(c)).

E Fisher, Environmental Law: A Very Short Introduction (OUP 2018) 23.

AV Dicey, Lectures on the Relation between Law and Public Opinion in England During the Nineteenth Century (Macmillan 1905) 300-1.

R Lazarus, ‘Super Wicked Problems and Climate Change: Restraining the Present to Liberate the Future’ (2009) 94 Cornell Law Review 1153, 1179–1187 (outlining reasons why climate change is ‘environmental lawmaking’s worst nightmare’ in the US context).

Fitzgerald (n 1). This challenge has been recognized by academics for nearly 100 years: HF Stone, ‘The Common Law in the United States’ (1936) 50 Harv L Rev 4, 12 (‘[Scholars’] role has been almost exclusively that of destructive critics, usually after the event, of the inadequacies of legislatures. There has been little disposition to look to our own shortcomings in failing, through adaptation of old skills and the development of new ones, to realize more nearly than we have the ideal of a unified system of judge-made and statute law…’)

The end of the ‘transition period’ on 31 December 2020 is a critical date on which structures of EU environmental law fall away, requiring replacement policy and governance structures to be established by UK legislation (both at Westminster and in the devolved parliaments). See Section 4 below.

Thus Section 4 explores the UK/English ‘Environment Bill’ in some detail. The clause numberings of this Bill were volatile at the time of writing this article, and footnote references are to the clause numbers in the House of Lords version of the Bill as it was preparing for its third reading in the Lords: HL Bill 53 (as amended on Report). These numberings are likely to change in the final Act, and I beg the reader’s patience to deduce any updated section numbers from the context of the discussion in the article.

This is not to say there is not excellent scholarship examining legislation (eg L Wintgens (ed), Legisprudence: A New Theoretical Approach to Legislation (Hart Publishing 2002); and the rich journal issues of the Statute Law Review and The Theory and Practice of Legislation ), and examining the interaction of common law and statutes (eg PS Atiyah, ‘Common Law and Statute Law’ (1985) 48 MLR 1; M Lee, ‘Safety, Regulation and Tort: Fault in Context’ (2011) 74(4) MLR 555). Legal scholars who do pay attention to statute often bemoan the scant attention paid to legislation by legal philosophers: J Waldron, The Dignity of Legislation (CUP 1999) ch 1; N Duxbury, Elements of Legislation (Cambridge University Press 2013) 57.

FA Hayek, Law, Legislation and Liberty (vol 1) (1973, reprinted 1998, Routledge) 67 and chs 3-6 generally. Notably Hayek was not a lawyer, rather approached legislation from the perspective of economics and philosophy.

ibid 88-90. This view traced through in judicial approaches to statutory construction that strictly limited incursions into common law doctrine by statutory provisions: Stone (n 7) 12-13 (‘a curiously illogical chapter in the history of the common law’); Zimmermann (n 2) 318-319 (linking this restrictive approach to statutory interpretation to ‘respectable-sounding considerations of constitutional theory’).

CJ Radcliffe, ‘Law and the Democratic State’, Presidential Address of the Right Hon Lord Radcliffe, President of the Holdsworth Club of the Faculty of Law in the University of Birmingham, 1954–

55 (Holdsworth Club of the University of Birmingham).

B Abel-Smith and R Stevens, Lawyers and the Courts (Heinemann Educational Books 1967) 163.

J Beatson, ‘Does the Common Law Have a Future?’ (1997) 56(2) CLJ 291, 301.

As cited in G Postema, Bentham and the Common Law Tradition (2nd edn, OUP 2019) 302. Hobbes also identified legislation as law on the command theory of law: T Hobbes, Leviathan (1651).

St Helen’s Smelting v Tipping (1865) 11 HL Cas 642; Rylands v Fletcher (1868) LR 3 HL 330.

See R Cocks, ‘Victorian Foundations?’ in J Lowry and R Edmunds, Environmental Protection and the Common Law (Hart Publishing 2000) 21-23 and generally. Lord Westbury was one of several leading judges appointed to an 1866 Royal Commission ‘to enquire into the expediency of a Digest of law, and the best means of accomplishing that object, and of otherwise exhibiting, in compendious and accessible form, the law as embodied in judicial decisions’.

Postema (n 18) 302, explaining Bentham’s view of why explicit general commands became needed to establish a ‘centralised, systematic, and fully public structure of law’.

Cocks (n 20) 19.

Dicey (n 5).

In the preface to Private International Law (1st edn, OUP 1935), Professor Cheshire said that one of the subject’s virtues was that ‘it has been only lightly touched by the paralysing hand of the Parliamentary draftsman’.

Eg RJ Barro, ‘Determinants of Democracy’ (1999) 107(S6) Journal of Political Economy S158.

On this view, there is ‘something dodgy’ about legislation from a rule of law perspective when it extends beyond guaranteeing basic market freedoms: J Waldron, ‘Legislation and the Rule of Law’ (2007) 1(1) Legisprudence 91, 120.

EL Rubin, ‘Law and Legislation in the Administrative State’ (1989) 89(3) Col L Rev 369, 369 (‘The principal reason why we lack a theory of modern legislation that legal scholars have focused so heavily on the judiciary. They analyze the work of judges, they address themselves to judges, they use the same terminology as judges, and quite frequently, they even think like judges.’)

Fitzgerald (n 1) 144-15 (suggesting 6 reasons why cases are more interesting than statutes).

Lord Evershed, ‘The Judicial Process in England’ in Essays in Jurisprudence from the Columbia Law Review

(1963) cited in Beatson (n 16) 299.

AP Herbert, Uncommon Law (Methuen 1935) (‘people must not do things for fun’).

E Fisher, ‘EU Environmental Law and Legal Imagination’ in P Craig and G De Burca (eds), The Evolution of EU Law (3rd edn, OUP 2021).

J Waldon, Law and Disagreement (OUP 1999) ch 5 (‘A piece of legislation deserves respect because of the achievement it represents in the circumstances of politics: action-in-concert in the face of disagreement’: 108).

There are reasons to be skeptical about the democratic credentials of legislation on this basis: ibid 53.

ibid 55. See also R Cormacain, ‘Legislation, Legislative Drafting and the Rule of Law’ (2017) 5(2) The Theory and Practice of Legislation 115.

Environmental regulation is driven by competing perspectives, values and, fundamentally, politics: Fisher, Lange and Scotford, Environmental Law: Text, Cases and Materials (2nd edn, OUP 2019) chs 2 and 12.

Even if some early common law cases might be seen as ‘filling the gap’ in environmental regulation: Cocks (n 20); B Pontin, Nuisance Law and Environmental Protection: An Analysis of the Enforcement of Injunctions (Lawtext Publishing Ltd 2013).

R Dworkin, Law’s Empire (Hart Publishing 1986).

Coventry v Lawrence [2014] UKSC 13; Cocks (n 20); cf M Lee, ‘The Public Interest in Private Nuisance: Collectives and Communities in Tort’ (2015) 74 Cambridge Law Journal 329.

Waldron, ‘Legislation and the Rule of Law’ (n 26) 121-2.

(n 13) and accompanying text.

As Stone (n 7) noted in US context in the wake of industrialisation: ‘Rapid social change, more than all else, puts to the test a legal system which seeks its inspiration and its guidance in a past which could make no adequate prophecy of the future.’ (11) See also Cocks (n 20) 20.

H Maine, Ancient Law (John Murray 1905) 24.

Waldron, ‘Legislation and the Rule of Law’ (n 26) 99.

According to Dicey, ‘the commands of Parliament (consisting as it does of the Crown, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons) can be uttered only through the combined action of its three constituent parts, and must, therefore, always take the shape of formal and deliberate legislation .’ (A V Dicey, Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution (repr 8th edn Macmillan 1915, Liberty Classics 1982).

Satisfying key requirements of the rule of law: T Bingham, The Rule of Law (Penguin 2011).

See also E Fisher, E Scotford and E Barritt, ‘The Legally Disruptive Nature of Climate Change’ (2017) 80(2) Modern Law Review 173.

Fisher, Environmental Law: A Very Short Introduction (n 4) 23-26.

Fisher, Lange and Scotford (n 35) ch 2.

(n 36) and accompanying text. See also Fisher, Scotford and Barritt (n 46).

Waldron, Law and Disagreement (n 32) 101 (‘Our respect for legislation is in part the tribute we should pay to the achievement of concerted, co-operative, co-ordinated, or collective action in the circumstances of modern life.’)

Fisher, Lange and Scotford (n 35) 256-9.

Environment Act 1995, pt IV; The Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010 SI 2010/1001 (‘AQS Regulations’) and related legislation in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. See also nn 138-142 and accompanying text.

The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 SI 2016/1154 (‘EPRs’).

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2012 SI 2012/3038.

Environmental Protection Act 1990, pt 2; Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 SI 2011/988 (‘Waste Regulations’); and an array of fragmented legislative measures, see Fisher, Lange and Scotford (n 35) 552-4.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006; The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 SI 2017/1012, and related legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Climate Change Act 2008.

The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 SI 2017/407 (‘WFD Regulations’), and related legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland; and a wide range of legislative measures regulating the water industry and specific water sources, see Fisher, Lange and Scotford (n 35) 15.

Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (and related legislation in the UK devolved administrations); Planning Act 2008.

There is a tsunami of EIA-related regulation in the UK, with obligations stemming from the EU EIA Directive (Directive 2011/92 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment [2012] OJ L26/1) implemented through a wide range of UK secondary legislation, eg The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 SI 1999/23.

Eg The REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 SI 2008/2852.

Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 pt IV.

Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

Eg The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992 SI 1992/3127; The Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 SI 1992/3280; and related legislation in the UK devolved administrations.

N Zeegers, WJ Witteveen and B van Klink (eds), Social and Symbolic Efforts of Legislation under the Rule of Law (Edwin Mellen Press 2005).

E Fisher, Risk Regulation and Administrative Constitutionalism (Hart 2007).

The Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019 SI 2019/1056 (‘Net Zero Order’).

E Scotford and S Minas, ‘Probing the Hidden Depths of Climate Law: Analysing National Climate Change Legislation’ (2019) 28(1) Review of International and Comparative Environmental Law 67.

Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union [2003] OJ L275/32. See S Bogojevic, Emissions Trading Schemes: States, Markets and Law (Hart Publishing 2013).

Environmental Protection Act 1990, s 34.

AQS Regulations (n 52) reg 26(2).

As Liz Fisher, Cinnamon Carlarne, Bettina Lange and I put it in a 2009 article, ‘Environmental law as an object of scholarship and research does not yield easily to a single paradigm, methodology or explanation’: E Fisher, B Lange, E Scotford, C Carlarne, ‘Maturity and Methodology: Starting a Debate about Environmental Law Scholarship’ (2009) 21(2) Journal of Environmental Law 213-250, 225.

Eg E Scotford and R Walsh, ‘The Symbiosis of Property and English Environmental Law – Property Rights in a Public Law Context’ (2013) 76(6) Modern Law Review 1010.

R (Friends of the Earth Ltd and others) v Heathrow Airport Ltd [2020] UKSC 52 (overturning the Court of Appeal on this point: Plan B Earth v Secretary of State for Transport [2020] EWCA Civ 214). See J Bell and E Fisher, ‘The “Heathrow” Case: Polycentricity, Legislation, and the Standard of Review’ (2020) 83(5) MLR 1072.

Westerman identifies this as a new kind of legal norm: P Westerman, ‘The Emergence of New Types of Norms’ in LJ Wintgens (ed), Legislation in Context: Essays in Legisprudence (Ashgate 2007) 117.

This is an extreme form of Rubin’s characterisation of legislation in the administration state as ‘a set of public policy directives that the legislature issues to government implementation mechanisms’: Rubin (n 27) 374. On the difficulties of construing these kinds of legal obligations, see C Reid, ‘A New Sort of Duty? The Significance of “Outcome” Duties in the Climate Change and Child Poverty Acts’ [2012] 4 Public Law 749.

AQS Regulations (n 52) reg 17; WFD Regulations (n 59) reg 3.

Net Zero Order (n 68).

Eg Waste Regulations (n 55) reg 4.

cf prominent theories of law that understand law primarily as norms that regulate human conduct, most famously HLA Hart, The Concept of Law (2nd edn, OUP 1997).

R (ClientEarth (No 3)) v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and ors [2018] EWHC 315 (Admin).

The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 SI 2004/1633 (and similar legislation in the devolved administrations); E Scotford, ‘The SEA Directive and the Legal Construction and Control of Government Environmental Policy’ in E Scotford and G Jones (eds), The Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive: A Plan for Success? (Hart Publishing 2017).

Another related, distinctive feature of much environmental legislation is that it often relies on policy documents to supplement regimes it establishes. This is not uncommon in other areas of social and economic regulation, but the technical complexity and operational requirements of much environmental legislation mean that some policy documents contain, or effectively contain, primary norms of conduct binding operators or others subject to an environmental regime. Eg statutory guidance for the contaminated land regime issued under Environmental Protection Act 1990, s 78YA: DEFRA, Environmental Protection Act 1990: Part 2A – Contaminated Land Statutory Guidance (April 2012).

R Dworkin, Taking Rights Seriously (2nd edn, Duckworth 1978) 22-28, 84.

See section 4(C) below on the convoluted and contested approach to incorporating environmental policy principles into UK legislation. However, under EU law, this tendency of introducing ‘goal-legislation’ became widespread in UK law through the transposition of EU Directives, imposing cascading obligations of result, or ‘outcome-based regulation’, through a system of legalised multi-level governance: P Westerman, Outsourcing the Law: A Philosophical Perspective on Regulation (Edward Elgar 2018); P Westerman, ‘Breaking the Circle: Goal-Legislation and the Need for Empirical Research’ (2015) 1(3) The Theory and Practice of Legislation 395.

R v Secretary of State for the Environment; ex p Hammersmith and Fulham LBC [1991] UKHL 3, 12.

See Cormacain (n 34) 123 (acknowledging the ‘difficulty’ posed by legislation that ‘doesn’t actually contain any law’, and referencing various ways in which legal scholars have sought to dismiss as law legislation that ‘doesn’t actually do something’ in terms of imposing justiciable rights and obligations).

Fisher, ‘Legal Imagination’ (n 31).

Beatson (n 17) 301.

Scotland Act 1988, s 29; Northern Ireland Act 1988, s 6; Government Wales Act 2006, s 108.

E Scotford and J Robinson, ‘UK Environmental Legislation and its Administration in 2013: Achievement, Challenges and Prospects’ (2013) 25(3) Journal of Environmental Law 383.

UKELA, King’s College London and BRASS, The State of UK Environmental Legislation in 2011-2012: Is There a Case for Legislative Reform? (Interim Report, August) 76-105.

TFEU, Title XX.

EPRs (n 53).

ibid, reg 38.

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 SI 2017/1012, and related legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland. On EIA legislation, see n 55.

J King, ‘The Province of Delegated Legislation’ in E Fisher, J King, and A Young, The Foundations and Future of Public Law: Essays in Honour of Paul Craig (OUP 2020).

Waldron, ‘Legislation and the Rule of Law’ (n 26) 107.

Beatson (n 17).

Lord Bingham, ‘The Rule of Law’ (2007) 66(1) CLJ 67, 70 (‘the legislative hyperactivity which appears to have become a permanent feature of our governance’, causing ‘serious problems of accessibility, despite the internet. And this is compounded by the British tradition of parliamentary draftsmanship which, for all its technical virtuosity, depends so heavily on cross-reference and incorporation as on occasion to baffle’).

Statutory Instruments Act 1946. See J Simson Caird and E Patterson, ‘Brexit, Delegated Powers and Delegated Legislation: A Rule of Law Analysis of Parliamentary Scrutiny’ (Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law 2020 < https://binghamcentre.biicl.org/publications/brexit-delegated-powers-and-delegated-legislation-a-rule-of-law-analysis-of-parliamentary-scrutiny > accessed 28 September 2021.

E Fisher, ‘Back to Basics: Thinking About the Craft of Environmental Law Scholarship’ in O Pedersen (ed), Perspectives on Environmental Law Scholarship: Essays on Purpose, Shape and Discretion (CUP 2018).

E Orts, ‘A Reflexive Model of Environmental Regulation’ (1995) 5(4) Business Ethics Quarterly 779, 782.

L Fuller, The Morality of Law (Yale University Press 1964).

UKELA, King’s College London and BRASS, The State of UK Environmental Legislation in 2011-2012: Is There a Case for Legislative Reform? , May 2012 (Final Report) (I coordinated this project with UKELA partners, and co-authored this report with Rosie Oliver).

ibid 13-16.

The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, UK Parliament, ‘Next Steps in Leaving the European Union’ (HC Deb of 10 October 2016, vol 615, col 40) < https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2016-10-10/debates/6CE5F6BB-3AA4-4332-BF7A-577DB35BDB77/NextStepsInLeavingTheEuropeanUnion#contribution-1F98EB16-0F24-401D-AA92-C0D4DCDE2BB3 > accessed 28 September 2021.

Select Committee on the Constitution, European Union (Withdrawal) Bill: Interim Report (HL 2017-19, 19); P Craig, ‘Constitutional Principle, the Rule of Law and Political Reality: the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018’ (2019) 82(2) Modern Law Review 319.

E Lydgate and others, ‘Briefing Paper: Brexit Food Safety Legislation and Potential Implications for UK Trade: The Devil in the Details’ (UK Trade Policy Observatory Briefing Paper 37, October 2019) < https://blogs.sussex.ac.uk/uktpo/publications/brexit-food-safety-legislation-and-potential-implications-for-uk-trade-the-devil-in-the-details/ > accessed 28 September 2021.

M Lee, ‘Brexit and environmental protection in the United Kingdom: governance, accountability and law making’ (2018) 36(3) Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law 351.

DEFRA, Draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill Statement of Impacts (December 2018) 2-3.

TFEU, arts 11 and 191(2).

E Scotford, Environmental Principles and the Evolution of Environmental Law (Hart 2017) ch 4.

Greener UK, ‘The Governance Gap: Why Brexit Could Weaken Environmental Protections’ (Briefing for Parliamentarians and Policymakers, August 2017).

E Scotford, ‘Environmental Principles Across Jurisdictions: Legal Connectors and Catalysts’ in E Lees and J Vinuales (eds), Oxford Handbook of Comparative Environmental Law (OUP 2019).

As seen in EU law: see Scotford, Environmental Principles and the Evolution of Environmental Law (n 118) ch 4.

At the time of writing, related legislation was still anticipated in Wales.

For the UK/English Environment Bill, its life began with s 16 European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, requiring draft legislation within 6 months containing, inter alia, a set of listed environmental principles. A draft Environmental (Principles and Governance) Bill 2018 followed, setting out provisions for English environmental governance and introducing certain environmental policy principles, and some provisions relating to UK reserved matters. That draft Bill was followed by a full government Environment Bill, introduced on the 15 th October 2019, which retained the draft Bill’s provisions on principles and governance, amended in some respects after pre-legislative scrutiny, and added major sections on air quality, nature conservation, water law, and waste regulation. That Bill fell with a general election in December 2019, and was reintroduced with minor changes in January 2020. As at 28 September 2021, the Bill was awaiting its third reading in the House of Lords and significant amendments were causing disagreement between both Houses of Parliament on finalizing the Bill. The Bill had been due to receive Royal Assent by the end of 2021 but this timetable may yet be further extended.

House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee, ‘Scrutiny of the Draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill’ (18th Report, Session 2017-19, 24 April 2019) (‘EAC Report’) < https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environmental-audit-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/copy-this-page-inquiry-name-17-191/ > accessed 28 September 2021; M Lee and E Scotford, ‘Environmental Principles After Brexit: The Draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill’ (2019) Working Paper < https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3322341 > accessed 28 September 2021.

Broadway Initiative, ‘The Environment Bill – Seizing the Opportunity’ (February 2020).

Greener UK, ‘Briefing on Non-regression in the Environment Bill’ (4 October 2018); EAC Report (n 124) 50-51.

D Feldman, ‘Legislation as Aspiration: Statutory Expression of Policy Goals’ (Lecture for the Statute Law Society, 16 March 2015).

See Environment Bill, cl 21 for a novel effort to implement non-regression, which is more an alert system for Ministers to warn Parliament that regressive legislation may be implemented, against an artificial benchmark of currently applicable legal standards of environmental protection.

DEFRA, ‘Government Introduced ground-breaking Environment Bill’ (Press release, 15 October 2019) < https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-introduces-ground-breaking-environment-bill > accessed 24 August 2020.

E Fisher, ‘Executive Environmental Law’ (2020) 83 Modern Law Review 163.

E Scotford, S Tromans and 23 UK academics and practitioners, ‘Environment Bill: Joint Letter to the Editor’ The Telegraph (30 October 2019) (expressing concern over claims that the Environment Bill 2019-20 maintains current environmental protections and enshrines the highest standards in law).

Environment Bill, cl 32. One either complies with the law or one does not. cf s 43 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 (‘Scottish Continuity Act’), also a strange provision but drafted differently, which appears widen the scope of potential breaches caught by the Scottish enforcement regime.

Environment Bill, cl 39.

Environment Bill, cl 18-20.

The draft Bill was subject to pre-legislative scrutiny in 2019 by the Environmental Audit Committee (see n 124) and House of Commons Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; the full Bill was scrutinised by the Public Bill Committee in 2020. In addition, other parliamentary committees scrutinised the Bill indirectly, such as the House of Commons Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Inquiry on Air Quality in 2020.

Eg C Burns, ‘Will Brexit Degrade UK Environmental Policy?’ (2020) 119 (815) Current History 101; Fisher (n 130); V Gravey, M Dobbs and C Brennan, ‘Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire? Environmental Governance Vulnerabilities in Post-Brexit Northern Ireland’ (2019) 21(2) Env LR 84; M Lee, ‘The Environment Bill: A Framework for Progressive Environmental Law?’ ( Brexit&Environment blog , 18 October 2019); R Macrory; Irresolute Clay: Shaping the Foundations of Modern Environmental Law (Hart 2020) ch 13; C Reid, ‘The Future of Environmental Governance in the (Dis-)United Kingdom’ in A Biondi, PJ Birkinshaw, and L Kendrick (eds) Brexit: The Legal Implications (Wolters Kluwer 2018).

Environment Bill, cl 149 and 150 (the mixed geographical extent of the Bill is partly due to UK reserved powers but also to agreements with the devolved administrations over specific matters). For the preexisting fragmentation of UK environmental legislation, see Scotford and Robinson (n 92).

Eg Scottish Continuity Act (n 132) imposes more direct duties on Scottish government and public actors to have regard to environmental principles, and establishes more direct sanctions on government for failing to comply with environmental law (in some cases at least). It also contains powers to implement new EU environmental law from time to time (‘keeping pace’ provisions). This divergence in Scottish law creates potential regulatory tensions for the UK internal market, particularly in light of the market access principles in the UK Internal Market Act 2020, creating another sphere of legislative and political complexity for UK environmental law. See C Burns and N Carter, ‘Brexit and UK Environmental Policy and Politics’ (2018) 23(3) Revue Française de Civilisation Britannique 1.

Directive 2008/50 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe [2008] OJ L152/1.

SI 2019/74.

Environment Bill, cl 1-8.

European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, s 6.

C Abbott and M Lee, Environmental Groups and Legal Expertise: Shaping the Brexit Process (UCL Press 2021).

Lee and Scotford (n 124).

See eg UKELA’s Brexit and Environmental Law series < https://www.ukela.org/UKELA/ReadingRoom/Brexit/UKELAsworkonbrexit.aspx > accessed 24 August 2020”.

Fisher, ‘Executive Environmental Law’ (n 130).

For pioneering efforts, see n 136.

On the scholarly marginalization of environmental law, see Fisher and others, ‘Maturity and Methodology’ (n 73).

Author notes

Month:	Total Views:
October 2021	55
November 2021	80
December 2021	91
January 2022	185
February 2022	126
March 2022	219
April 2022	282
May 2022	213
June 2022	152
July 2022	127
August 2022	159
September 2022	176
October 2022	271
November 2022	169
December 2022	197
January 2023	230
February 2023	121
March 2023	211
April 2023	161
May 2023	162
June 2023	120
July 2023	127
August 2023	155
September 2023	184
October 2023	287
November 2023	256
December 2023	234
January 2024	270
February 2024	194
March 2024	261
April 2024	334
May 2024	248
June 2024	174

Email alerts

Citing articles via.

Recommend to your Library

Affiliations

Online ISSN 2044-8422
Print ISSN 0070-1998
Copyright © 2024 University College London
About Oxford Academic
Publish journals with us
University press partners
What we publish
New features
Open access
Institutional account management
Rights and permissions
Get help with access
Accessibility
Advertising
Media enquiries
Oxford University Press
Oxford Languages
University of Oxford

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide

Copyright © 2024 Oxford University Press
Cookie settings
Cookie policy
Privacy policy
Legal notice

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

Library electronic resources outage May 29th and 30th

Between 9:00 PM EST on Saturday, May 29th and 9:00 PM EST on Sunday, May 30th users will not be able to access resources through the Law Library’s Catalog, the Law Library’s Database List, the Law Library’s Frequently Used Databases List, or the Law Library’s Research Guides. Users can still access databases that require an individual user account (ex. Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law), or databases listed on the Main Library’s A-Z Database List.

Georgetown Law Library
Foreign & International Law

International Environmental Law Research Guide

Introduction.

Getting Started
Foreign Statutes and Regulations
Foreign and International Case Law
Journal Articles
Current Awareness
Additional Resources

Key to Icons

Georgetown only
On Bloomberg
More Info (hover)
Preeminent Treatise

Growth of international environmental law as a distinct field of public international law began in the 1970s with the Stockholm Conference on the Environment (1972). Since then, interest has steadily increased and it is one of the fastest growing areas of international law. Current issues of international concern covered by environmental law include climate change, desertification, destruction of tropical rain forests, marine plastics pollution, trade in endangered species (e.g. ivory), shipment of hazardous wastes to developing countries, protection of wetlands, oil spills, transboundary nuclear air pollution (e.g. the Chernobyl nuclear disaster), dumping of hazardous wastes, groundwater depletion, international trade in pesticides, and acid rain. Environmental law is also cutting across other areas of international law, such as commercial/business law, trade, and human rights.

International cooperation in the forms of treaties, agreements and resolutions created by intergovernmental organizations as well as national laws and regulations are being used to protect the environment. Researching international environmental law will often involve locating documents from major organizations concerned with protection of the environment, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the European Union , the OECD , the European Commission , and the Council of Europe . Since ultimate responsibility for the protection of the environment remains at the national and local level, municipal law is also relevant.

This is an in-depth guide to researching international environmental law.

International & Foreign Reference

International & foreign legal research (202) 662-4195 request a research consultation , update history.

Revised 2010.10 (MMS) Updated 2022.03 (MMK) Revised 2023.07 (DEI)

Next: Getting Started >>
© Georgetown University Law Library. These guides may be used for educational purposes, as long as proper credit is given. These guides may not be sold. Any comments, suggestions, or requests to republish or adapt a guide should be submitted using the Research Guides Comments form . Proper credit includes the statement: Written by, or adapted from, Georgetown Law Library (current as of .....).
Last Updated: Jul 14, 2023 9:26 AM
URL: https://guides.ll.georgetown.edu/InternationalEnvironmentalLaw

Articles on Environmental law

Displaying 1 - 20 of 192 articles.

What’s next after Supreme Court curbs regulatory power: More focus on laws’ wording, less on their goals

Robin Kundis Craig , University of Kansas

Resource management is always political – the Fast-track Approvals Bill is just honest about it

Jeffrey McNeill , Massey University

The US is losing wetlands at an accelerating rate − here’s how the private sector can help protect these valuable resources

Steph Tai , University of Wisconsin-Madison and Michael Vandenbergh , Vanderbilt University

The EU’s new ecocide law may still let environmental criminals get away with it

Filippos Proedrou , University of South Wales and Maria Pournara , Swansea University

New EPA regulations target air, water, land and climate pollution from power plants, especially those that burn coal

Patrick Parenteau , Vermont Law & Graduate School

Water theft laws and penalties in the Murray-Darling Basin are a dog’s breakfast. Here’s how we can fix them

Adam James Loch , University of Adelaide ; David Adamson , Royal Agricultural University ; Mark Giancaspro , University of Adelaide , and Michael Croft , University of Adelaide

The government wants to fast-track approvals of large infrastructure projects – that’s bad news for NZ’s biodiversity

Tim Curran , Lincoln University, New Zealand and Jo Monks , University of Otago

Three secrets to successful climate litigation

Morgiane Noel , Trinity College Dublin

Gold, silver and lithium mining on federal land doesn’t bring in any royalties to the US Treasury – because of an 1872 law

Sam Kalen , University of Wyoming

Ghana is behind the curve on climate change laws: expert suggests a way to get corporations on board

Kikelomo Kila , University of Huddersfield

A Supreme Court ruling on fishing for herring could sharply curb federal regulatory power

Robin Kundis Craig , University of Southern California

Private landholders control 60% of the Australian continent – so let’s get them involved in nature protection

Benjamin J. Richardson , University of Tasmania ; Afshin Akhtar-Khavari , Queensland University of Technology ; James Fitzsimons , Deakin University ; Phillipa C. McCormack , University of Adelaide , and Sarah Brugler , University of Tasmania

We must assess ‘cumulative impacts’ to protect nature from death by a thousand cuts

Rebecca Louise Nelson , The University of Melbourne and Martine Maron , The University of Queensland

Plastic pollution: campaigners around the world are using the courts to clean up – but manufacturers are fighting back

Sam Varvastian , Cardiff University

Will faster federal reviews speed up the clean energy shift? Two legal scholars explain what the National Environmental Policy Act does and doesn’t do

J.B. Ruhl , Vanderbilt University and James Salzman , University of California, Los Angeles

Colorado River states bought time with a 3-year water conservation deal – now they need to think bigger

Robert Glennon , University of Arizona

The Supreme Court just shriveled federal protection for wetlands, leaving many of these valuable ecosystems at risk

Albert C. Lin , University of California, Davis

Supreme Court’s ruling on humane treatment of pigs could catalyze a wave of new animal welfare laws

David Favre , Michigan State University

Biden’s strategy for cutting carbon emissions from electricity generation could extend the lives of fossil fuel power plants

Jennifer K. Rushlow , Vermont Law & Graduate School

The Amazon is not safe under Brazil’s new president – a roads plan could push it past its breaking point

Robert T. Walker , University of Florida

Top contributors

Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of the Environment, The University of Queensland

Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University

Professor of Law Emeritus, Vermont Law & Graduate School

Professor of Environmental Law, University of Maryland

Deputy Director, Australian Centre for Climate and Environmental Law and Lecturer in Law, University of Sydney

Associate Professor, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland

Professor of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland

Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley

Lecturer, The University of Melbourne

Professor of Law, University of California, Davis

Senior Research Fellow, Deakin University

PhD Candidate, GPEM, The University of Queensland

Professor of Climate Economics and Policy, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford

Botanist, University of Queensland, The University of Queensland

Associate Professor in Law, UNSW Sydney

X (Twitter)
Unfollow topic Follow topic

UPDATE: A Basic Guide to International Environmental Legal Research

By Heidi Frostestad Kuehl

Heidi Frostestad Kuehl is Director of the David C. Shapiro Memorial Law Library and Associate Professor of Law. She holds a law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law with a specialization in International Trade and Development and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Iowa.

Published May/June 2022

(Previously updated in April 2008 , November/December 2010 , August 2013 , and May/June 2017 )

See the Archive Version!

1. introduction, 2. general starting points and key abbreviations, 3.1. sub-topics for international environmental law, 3.2. essential indexes and finding aids for treaty research, 4. finding the national laws of foreign nations, 5. searching library catalogs and finding print resources, 6. lexis+ and westlaw, 7. environmental periodicals, 8. comprehensive internet sites and research guides, 9. environmental organizations, institutes, and statistics.

10. 1Environmental Law Blogs and Current Awareness Tools

International environmental law is an ever-changing, constantly expanding, and intriguing topic for international legal research. When decisions and collaborations occur between nations across international boundaries and treaties or agreements are made to cooperate for environmental concerns, disputes inevitably transpire because of trade implications for the respective nations, safety concerns and cleanliness of environmental resources among shared borders, or problems with enforcement mechanisms for liability under agreements or treaty provisions relating to the environment. The vastness of this area of international law includes the environmental sub-issues of population, biodiversity, global climate change, ozone depletion, preserving the Antarctic regions, movement of toxic and hazardous substances, land or vessel-based pollution, dumping, conservation of marine living resources, trans-boundary air and water pollution, desertification, and nuclear damage, among others.

To begin research in international environmental law, a researcher should have a basic understanding of international law and authority: for example, knowledge of treaty research and an awareness of the types of international agreements and their effect in nations of the world as result of reservations, understandings, or declarations. As noted in this research guide, the number of international environmental treaties is manageable by sub-topic, so identification of the appropriate sub-topic or category of international environmental law is essential to narrowly tailor research and avoid getting bogged down in the wealth of information. Like many areas of international law, regulation and implementation of the treaty terms are at the national level.

Thus, some knowledge and research of foreign laws in the countries of focus for a research problem is necessary for thorough research and analysis. This guide will provide an overview of the key terms, general starting points by sub-topic of international environmental law and correlating treaties and agreements, a summary of the essential websites and secondary sources for international environmental legal research, and an approach for researching the primary law of foreign jurisdictions for this topic. Finally, an overview of the prominent international organizations and correlating documentation produced for international environmental law and blogs for current awareness in this field is provided for a comprehensive overview. For other specialized topics in international environmental law research consult GlobaLex articles:

International Marine Environmental Law by Arundhati Ashok Satkalmi
An Introduction to International Fisheries Law Research by Abdullah Al Arif
Kyoto Protocol by Deborah Paulus-Jagrič and updated by Heidi Frostestad Kuehl
Sustainable Development Law by Gary Yessin and updated by Kristina Alayan
Transboundary Freshwater: Research Guide on Transboundary Freshwater Treaties and Other Resources by Arundhati Ashok Satkalmi (originally created by Barbara H. Bean)

Like other areas of specialized international law, international environmental law follows the same sources and categories of law as primary authority under Article 38 of the Statute of the I.C.J. Those include treaties, custom, general principles recognized among nations, decisions, and other secondary authority such as the writings of prominent scholars in the field. Therefore, a researcher should start with identifying the applicable treaties in force and analyzing those nations, which are the parties to the agreement. After determining all applicable treaties based on the facts of the research question, then the researcher can uncover national laws, which might accordingly follow the treaty terms or deviate. Because foreign and international legal research can be difficult, it is often wise to consult a comprehensive secondary source on the topic, such as a treatise or law journal article. Before even approaching the treaties, though, it is helpful to decipher the tricky acronyms that emerge when studying international environmental law, especially in the context of the treaties and agreements.

Historically, the timeline of treaties that are often identified as monumental in the formation of international environmental law include: the Stockholm Conference (1972), UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (“UNCLOS”) (1982), World Conference on Environment and Development (1987), UN Conference on Environment and Development (1992), and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002). A helpful overview of international environmental law is provided in International Environmental Law in a Nutshell by Lakshman D. Guruswamy with Kevin L. Doran (West 2021) for those researchers unfamiliar with this area of international law. The Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations is a very helpful resource for deciphering international legal abbreviations for publications. As discussed below, there are also many sub-categories of treaties based on the type of environmental concern or prevention of certain types of deterioration or liabilities for pollution. Here are some of the most commonly used abbreviations and acronyms for treaty research in international environmental law (however, keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list):

“ Agenda 21 ” – Programme of Action for Sustainable Development
“ Aarhus Convention ” – Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters
“ Basel Convention ” – Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
“ Basel Ban Amendment ” – Protocol on Liability and Compensation for Damage Resulting from Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes
“ Biodiversity Convention ” – Convention on Biological Diversity
“ Bunkers Convention ” – International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage
“ Cartagena Protocol ” – Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity
“ CBD ” – Convention on Biological Diversity
“ CCAMLR ” – Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
“ CCSBT ” – Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna
“ CITES ” – Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
“ CLC ” – Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage
“ Climate Change Convention ” – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
“CRAMRA ” – Antarctic Mineral Resources Convention
“ECE Treaty ” – ECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes
“FAO ” – Food and Agriculture Organization
“IAEA ” – International Atomic Energy Agency
“IMO ” – International Maritime Organisation
“ Kyoto Protocol ” – Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
“ LRTAP ” – Geneva Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
“ MARPOL ” – International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
“ Montreal Protocol ” – Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
“ NAAEC ” – North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
“ OLDEPESCA ” – Agreement Instituting the Latin American Organization for Fisheries Development
“OPRC ” – 1990 International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation
“ OSPAR Convention ” – Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic
“ Paris Convention ” – Paris Convention on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy
“PIC” – Rotterdam Convention on Trade in Hazardous Chemicals
“ POPs ” – Persistent Organic Pollutants
“Ramsar” – Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat
“ Rio Declaration ” – Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
“Rotterdam Convention ” –
Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade “ Stockholm Convention ” – Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
“ UNCCD ” – United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
“ UNCLOS ” – United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
“ UNEP ” – United Nations Environment Programme
“ UNFCCC ” – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
“ Vienna Convention ” – Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
“ Wetlands Convention ” – Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat
“WSSD ” – World Summit on Sustainable Development

3. Treaty Research

Because of the many possible sub-topics available for international environmental law, it is helpful to have a table of categories and correlating agreements. The following table is a table of international agreements, treaties, and websites for international legal research based on the eight sub-topics of hazardous waste, nuclear waste, ocean and marine sources, ozone and protection of the atmosphere, pollution, protection of species and wildlife, sustainable development, and trade and the environment. When available, I have linked to sources of the original .pdf document available online.


HAZARDOUS WASTE	(** 1989) (1999) OECD Council Decision and Guidance Manual (2009)
NUCLEAR WASTE	(1994) (1960)
OCEAN AND MARINE SOURCES		/ / / / / / / /
OZONE AND PROTECTION OF THE ATMOSPHERE	, *	/ / / / / / / / / / /
POLLUTION		(Stockholm Convention) / / / / / (UN Treaty Series) / /
PROTECTION OF SPECIES AND WILDLIFE		/ / / / / / / / / /
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT		/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
TRADE & THE ENVIRONMENT		, , and / / / /

HAZARDOUS WASTE

(** 1989)

(1999)

OECD Council Decision and Guidance Manual (2009)

NUCLEAR WASTE

(1994)

(1960)

OCEAN AND MARINE SOURCES

/ /

OZONE AND PROTECTION OF THE ATMOSPHERE

, *

/ /

/ / / / / /

POLLUTION

(Stockholm Convention) / / /

/ (UN Treaty Series)

PROTECTION OF SPECIES AND WILDLIFE

/ / /

/ /

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

/ / /

/ / / / / / /

TRADE & THE ENVIRONMENT

, , and / /

/ /

* - U.S. has signed and ratified the treaty and, thus, has become a party to the treaty.

** - Dates referenced are the date of signature of the treaties.

There are numerous treaty indexes for historical U.S. treaties, as well as world treaty series for international environmental legal research. In some instances, these treaty indexes are available in print and online. For international environmental law, it is most helpful to consult indexes containing world treaties, such as the United Nations Treaty Series , European Treaty Series , or EUR-Lex , and other unique online collections of world treaties like WorldLII . In the United States and depending on other jurisdictions for research, a researcher would also need to consult Treaties in Force , Treaty Actions/TIAS , and the Department of State ’s Treaty Affairs website for international agreements reported under the Case-Zablocki Act. The following list of indexes and helpful online collections is not exhaustive, but the list includes comprehensive portals for international environmental legal research:

ECOLEX – This website created by the United Nations Environmental Programme and the World Conservation Union provides a wonderful portal to searching for bibliographic information of treaties by sub-topic of international environmental law, as well as national legislation and court decisions. Researchers may also use this portal to search for environmental law literature, such as monographs or articles.
EUR-Lex – This is the comprehensive website of the European Union and official documents. Through simple search or an advanced search , researchers can locate the main European legal provisions for international environmental law.
European Treaty Series (Council of Europe) – This digitized collection provided by the Council of Europe includes links to full-text agreements for international environmental law, as well as charts of ratification and signature and lists of reservations, understandings, and declarations.
SICE – Trade Agreements – This site includes a nice compendium of links to full-text trade agreements by nation and by topical disciplines. The collection includes references to international environmental trade agreements, such as the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation.
UN Digital Library – The United Nations Digital Information System is essential for locating UN documentation by keyword or subject search for environmental law. In most cases, the system also links to full-text documents in a variety of languages and provides essential bibliographic information for research.
UN Official Document System (“ODS”) – The United Nations search of official documents is helpful to search for ready-reference to documents in international environmental law and bibliographic information. However, full-text links are often not provided, and this system is not meant to be a substitute for research in the UN Digital Library (above).
United Nations Law Collection (HeinOnline) – Search for international environmental law documentation (including treaties) in the United Nations collection archive. Subscription required.
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) – Through a link to the “ Publications & Data” on the homepage of this site of the United Nations branch for the environment, users can locate the full-text of environmental conventions, protocols, and agreements by sub-topic. In addition, the portals provide helpful background information about the negotiation of the treaties and related reports and manuals, if applicable.
United Nations Treaty Series ( Recueil des traités ) and Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the Secretary-General – Available through the United Nations website, this collection has all multilateral treaties deposited with the Secretary-General and is searchable by topic or title of the treaty. The treaties are presented in .PDF format, so it is especially helpful for facsimiles of the original treaty documents.
WorldLII – Through this initiative to digitize legal materials of nations of the countries of the world, researchers can locate applicable environmental treaties, especially for Australia, Asia, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and the South Pacific.
WTO Legal Texts – This portal includes the 1986-94 Uruguay Round negotiations by the World Trade Organization, which includes a decision pertaining to trade in services and the environment.

In addition to locating the appropriate treaties and agreements for research in international environmental law, a researcher then needs to uncover any national laws of the foreign nations involved in a research question. Therefore, the following sources can help provide background information about the legal systems of countries of the world or links to the national laws of foreign nations. One basic online foreign law database for overviews of foreign laws on particular subjects, which might be available through a subscription at a local academic law library, is Foreign Law Guide: Current Sources of Codes and Basic Legislation in Jurisdictions of the World by Reynolds & Flores. The following list provides essential resources for uncovering national laws, more specifically, for international environmental law:

Cornell’s Legal Information Institute: WorldLaw – An excellent portal for locating available codes and legislation of nations or regions of the World. This site also provides links to general international environmental legal materials.
ECOLEX – This website developed by the United Nations Environmental Programme and the World Conservation Union provides a wonderful portal to searching for bibliographic information of treaties by sub-topic of international environmental law, as well as national legislation, court decisions, and literature.
European Commission: Legislation Reports for Energy – Search for key legislation by country or keyword and links to Green Papers , White Papers , Legislation and Policies , and Case Studies for this subject.
FAOLEX – Focusing on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources, this collection of laws provides excellent bibliographic information about the national laws of countries of the world as well as the full-text of most legislation included in the database. The FAO Governing Bodies page provides access to basic texts, the Fishlex database, FAO treaties, and other publications.
Foreign and Country Information (Northwestern University School of Law – Pritzker Legal Research Center): An excellent portal for accessing available research guides for countries of the world and laws by country or region or subject of research.
Foreign Law Guide: Current Sources of Codes and Basic Legislation of the World – This substantial work and research guide for locating the codes and legislation of nations of the world by Reynolds and Flores is a crucial resource to consult when researching the international environmental laws of individual countries and understanding their legal systems. Subscription required.
GlobaLex supplements the Foreign Law Guide database of Thomas Reynolds and Arturo Flores. The foreign law section has more than 150 guides on a wide range of foreign jurisdictions.
GlobeLaw – This portal provides a comprehensive index with links to full-text documentation for treaties and national laws for international environmental law.
Government Gazettes Online (University of Michigan) – Through an A-Z list of governments of the world, researchers can locate the laws released in the official gazettes of nations of the world by title or those published online through direct links to official gazette websites.
Library of Congress: Guide to Law Online – This comprehensive portal of the available laws of the nations of the world includes sources for national legislation . Researchers would then need to search for the pertinent environmental codes and legislation within each nation.
Martindale-Hubbell International Law Digest (LexisNexis) – A nice summary of the laws on various topics, available sources, and description of the legal system for many nations of the world. A researcher can search by country and topic (environment) to retrieve the relevant national laws, if any, related to the environment. Subscription required.
Sustainable Development and International Law (University of Denver Sturm College of Law Library) – This site provides comprehensive links to legislation and legal databases for international sustainable development research.
WorldLII – Through the advanced search feature, researchers can locate all legislation contained in the database pertaining to the environment or a sub-topic for research by entering relevant search terms. In addition, researchers can locate codes and legislation by topic through the subject categories .

Before researching primary law, such as treaties and agreements and laws of the nations of the world, researchers might also consult their library catalog to uncover helpful treatises, books, or nutshells and basic background texts to better understand this area of international law. The following search terms and Library of Congress subject headings are successful when researching library catalogs:

Climatic Changes—Government Policy (Library of Congress)
Environmental Degradation—United States (Library of Congress)
Environmental Economics (Library of Congress)
Environmental Ethics (Library of Congress)
Environmental Impact Analysis (Library of Congress)
Environmental Law—Europe (Library of Congress)
Environmental Law, International (Library of Congress)
Environmental Law, International—Sources (Library of Congress)
Environmental Law, Periodicals (Library of Congress)
Environmental Management—International Cooperation (Library of Congress)
Environmental Policy (Library of Congress)
Environmental Protection (Library of Congress)
Global Warming –Law and legislation (Library of Congress)
Global Warming—Government Policy (Library of Congress)
Greenhouse gases—Law and legislation (Library of Congress)
International Relations—Environmental Aspects (Library of Congress)
Law of the Sea (Library of Congress)
Marine Resources Conservation—Environmental Aspects (Library of Congress)
Liability for Environmental Damages, European Union (Library of Congress)
Sustainable Development—(Country of Research) (Library of Congress)
United Nations Convention on Climate Change (Library of Congress)

In addition to the above categories, which are not comprehensive but give the researcher a head start, it is useful to search terms in the title of the international environmental agreement of focus or also search sub-topics of international environmental law. To begin, a researcher could use terms from any of the sub-topics listed above in Section III.A: “Hazardous Waste,” “Nuclear Waste,” “Ocean and Marine Sources,” “Ozone and Protection of the Atmosphere,” “Pollution,” “Protection of Species and Wildlife,” “Sustainable Development,” and “Trade and the Environment.” It would be essential, though, to brainstorm search terms that are relevant for the sub-topic of research and issues involved in the facts of the research problem.

Selected Print Titles for Basic International Environmental Law include:

Axelrod, Regina, VanDeveer, Stacy, and Downie, David, eds., The Global Environment: Institutions, Law, and Policy (CQ Press 2020)
Bastmeijer, Kees, The Antarctic Environmental Protocol and Its Domestic Legal Implementation (Aspen Pub. 2003)
Bernasconi-Osterwalder, et. al., Environment and Trade: A Guide to WTO Jurisprudence (Routledge, 2014)
Bogdanovic, Slavko, International Law of Water Resources: Contribution of the International Law Association (1954-2000) (Kluwer Int’l 2001)
Borzsak, Levente, The Impact of Environmental Concerns on the Public Enforcement Mechanism under EU Law: Environmental Protection in the 25th Hour (Kluwer 2011)
Boyle, A.E. and Birnie, P.W., eds., Basic Documents on International Law and the Environment (Oxford Univ. Press 1996)
Cassotta, Sandra, Environmental Damage and Liability Problems in a Multilevel Context: The Case of the Environmental Liability Directive (Kluwer 2012)
Deketelaere, Kurt and Gekiere, Jan, eds., International, EC and US Environmental Law: A Comparative Selection of Basic Documents (Kluwer Int’l 2002)
Frank, Veronica, The European Community and Marine Environmental Protection in the International Law of the Sea: Implementing Global Obligations at the Regional Level (Martinus Nijhoff 2007)
Freestone, D., Barnes, R., and Ong, D., eds., Law of the Sea: Progress and Prospects (Oxford Univ. Press 2006)
Gerrard, Michael B. and Kuh, Katrina, eds., The Law of Adaptation to Climate Change: U.S. and International Aspects (ABA 2012)
Guruswamy, Lakshman D., International Environmental Law in a Nutshell (West 2012)
Guruswamy, Lakshman D., Sir Geoffrey W.R. Palmer, and Burns H. Weston, Supplement of Basic Documents to International Environmental Law and World Order (West 1999)
International Environmental Law and Policy Series (Series with multiple authors and sub-topics) (Kluwer Law Int’l)
Karova, Rozeta, Liberalization of Electricity Markets and Public Service Obligations in the Energy Community (Kluwer 2012)
Kerbrat, Yann and Maljean-Dubois, Dandrine, eds., The Transformation of International Environmental Law (Hart 2011)
Kiss, Alexandre and Shelton, Dinah, eds., International Environmental Law (Transnat’l Publ. 2003)
Louka, Elli, International Environmental Law: Fairness, Effectiveness, and World Order (Cambridge Univ. Press 2006)
Morrison, Fred L. and Rüdiger Wolfrum, eds., International, Regional and National Environmental Law (Kluwer Law Int’l 2000)
Nanda, Ved P. and Pring, George, International Environmental Law for the 21st Century (Transnat’l Publ. 2012)
Nolon, John R., ed., Compendium of Land Use Laws for Sustainable Development (Cambridge Univ. Press 2010)
Principles of International Environmental Law (3 vols.) (St. Martin’s Press 1995)
Robinson, Nicholas A., Agenda 21 & the UNCED Proceedings (Oceana 1992- )
Rüster, Bernd and Simma, Bruno, eds., International Protection of the Environment: Treaties and Related Documents, Second Series (Oceana 1995)
Sands, Philippe and Galizzi, Paolo, eds., Documents in International Environmental Law (Cambridge 2012)
Sands, Philippe, Principles of International Environmental Law (Cambridge 2018)
Torre-Schaub, Martha, Single Market and the Environment: Pathways to Integration (NYU School of Law 2006)
Weiss, Edith Brown, International Environmental Law & Policy (Aspen 2006)
Westra, Laura, Soskolne, Colin, and Spady, Donald, eds., Human Health and Ecological Integrity: Ethics, Law and Human Rights (Routledge 2017)
Wilde, Mark, Civil Liability for Environmental Damage: Comparative Analysis of Law and Policy in Europe and the US (Kluwer 2013)
Winter, Gerd, ed., Multilevel Governance of Global Environmental Change: Perspectives from Science, Sociology and the Law (Cambridge Univ. Press 2006)

Both Lexis and Westlaw have varying holdings for Foreign and International law, as well as International Agreements and Treaties. In Lexis+, the following databases are helpful for research in international environmental law:

Martindale-Hubbell International Law Digest (INTDIG)
International Legal Materials (ILM)
International Law Emerging Issues (EIC31)
ENVIROLINE (ENVLNE)
Environment: Mealey’s Combined Reports (MEAENV)
Environmental Law Reporter: Treaties and Statutes (STAT)
Environmental Law Institute: Guidance and Policy Documents (GUIDOC)
Environmental Law Reporter: All (ALLELR)
Environmental Law Reviews (ENVLR)
Environmental Law Newsletters (ENVRN)
EUR-Lex EU Law Database: Combined Files (ECLAW)
Policy Papers (PLCYPA)
U.S. Treaties in Force (USTIF)
U.S. Treaties on LEXIS (USTRTY)
CELEX EU Law Database (ECLAW)

In Westlaw , the following databases are helpful for international environmental legal research:

International Environmental, Health, and Safety Regulations (ENFLEX-INT)
International Environmental Law Documents (INTLENVL)
ENFLEX Documents for Foreign Nations (ENFLEX+(country abbreviation))
Environment & Energy Publishing Environment and Energy Daily (EEP-EED)
Environmental Data Resources – Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability System (EDR-CERCLIS)
Environmental Litigation Specialist Multidatabase (ENV-SPECIALIST)
Environmental Law Reviews, Texts, and Bar Journals Combined (ENV-TP)
Environmental Law Reports (Europe-Cases) (ENV-RPTS)
Global Warming Network Online Today (GLWM)
Environmental Topical News (ENVNEWS)
Europe Environment (EUROENV)
Global Environmental Change Report (GLECR)
International News (INTNEWS)
United Kingdom Current Awareness Planning and Environment (UKCA-PLAN)
U.S. Treaties & Other International Agreements (USTREATIES)
United States Treaties in Force (USTIF)
World Environment Report (WENVRPT)
World Watch (WRWA)

There are many law journals, both domestic and international, which are devoted exclusively to environmental issues. These titles include the following prominent publications:

Biannual Bulletin of Environmental Law (UNEP) (1994- )
Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review (1971-2018)
Buffalo Environmental Law Journal (1994-2019)
Colorado Journal of International Environmental Law and Policy (1990- )
Columbia Journal of Environmental Law (1975- )
Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum (1991- )
Ecology Law Quarterly (Berkeley) (1971- )
Environmental Law (Lewis & Clark) (1969- )
Environmental Law Journal (NYU) (1992- )
Environmental Policy and Law (1975- )
European Energy and Environmental Law Review (1992- )
Fordham Environmental Law Review (1989- )
Georgetown Environmental Law Review (1988- )
Global Environmental Law Annual (1993- )
Harvard Environmental Law Review: HELR (1976- )
International Environmental Reporter (Bloomberg BNA) , Current Report (1978- )
Journal of Environmental Law (1989- )
Journal of Environmental Law & Litigation (Univ. of Oregon) (1985- )
Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy (1998- )
Journal of Land Use and Environmental Law (Florida State) (1994- )
Journal of Law and the Environment (1985-1987)
Pace Environmental Law Review (1982- )
Stanford Environmental Law Society & Journal (1978- )
Tulane Environmental Law Journal (1988- )
University of Denver Water Law Review (1997- )
Vermont Journal of Environmental Law (1996- )
Virginia Environmental Law Journal (1979- )
West-Northwest Journal of Environmental Law & Policy (Hastings) (1994- )
William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review (1975- )
Wisconsin Environmental Law Journal (1994-2002)
Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy Working Paper Series (2004- )
Yearbook of International Environmental Law (2001- )
Yearbook of International Cooperation on Environment and Development

Recommended Indexes and Databases for Finding Law Review, Law Journal, and Scholarly Articles:

CIAO (Columbia International Affairs Online)
Index to Foreign Legal Periodicals
PAIS International
OCLC Index to Legal Periodicals and Books
Web of Science
Academic Search Elite
FirstSearch
SSRN (Social Science Research Network)
BEPress (Berkeley Electronic Press)
Project Muse

The above indexes and databases are helpful for locating international law and interdisciplinary journal articles related to international environmental law.

There are numerous comprehensive portals and research guides for international environmental law, which can help guide a researcher during research. The following is a selective list of some of the most helpful and comprehensive websites for research on this topic:

CIEL (Center for International Environmental Law) – Access to annual reports and other CIEL publications by subtopics of biodiversity, chemicals, climate change, human rights and the environment, international financial institutions, law and communities, and trade and sustainable development.
CIESIN (Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University) – Data and publications are searchable through gateways, such as SEDAC, IAI-DIS, and other quick links to CIESIN projects.
Cornell’s Legal Information Institute – Links to environmental conventions and especially helpful for researching national law material by region of the world.
ECOLEX – Entry portal provides searching of treaties, national legislation, court decisions, and literature, such as monographs and articles.
Environment and International Law (World Bank) – Overview of resources and policies for Environment and Natural Resources Law, including World Bank publications.
European Commission’s Environment Website – Comprehensive webpage for environmental initiatives and laws in Europe.
European Environmental Law Programme (IUCN World Conservation Union) – An overview of environmental programs and activities in Europe.
European Environmental Law (T.M.C. Asser Institute & Academy of European Law) – Helpful for locating European legislation, case law, national pages for country-specific laws and publications, and policy documents for international environmental law.
FAOLex (Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN) – Search world treaties, laws, and regulations on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources.
Georgetown’s International Environmental Law Research Guide – Comprehensive research guide for available online and print resources.
Globelaw International Environmental Law & Multilateral Conventions – Helpful links to topics, such as oceans, climate, biodiversity and biosafety, nuclear, toxics, and other topical materials. The site also links to multilateral conventions and national legal resources for international environmental law with an emphasis on UN documentation.
International Environmental Law and Policy (American Univ. – Washington College of Law) – A reference source for international environmental law and policy, and the site provides links to the programme’s annual reports .
International Environmental Law Research Centre – Helpful website for locating working papers and print publications in international environmental law in Europe and links to full-text articles.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – Links to publications and primary resources by sub-topic of international environmental law.
University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law Natural Resources – Exhaustive resource for primary and secondary sources in international environmental law.

There are many international organizations, including intergovernmental organizations (IGO’s) and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), which are helpful for identifying both primary and secondary sources for research. Because of the many sub-topics in international environmental law, some of these international environmental organizations are focused on a specialty topic in environmental law and only address limited sources for that topic. The following are helpful websites of organizations or institutes for expanding research to both secondary sources of law and statistics:

Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law – Focus on regional organizational activities in Asia for environmental law and correlating documentation.
CBD Information Centre and Document Search – An excellent repository and search feature for research narrowly focused on the Convention on Biological Diversity.
CITES Resources and Official Documents – Exhaustive portal for research and available databases for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The site includes links to programmes, official documents, and other statistical publications.
Commission for Environmental Cooperation – Publications and information resources by the commission, as well as links to documentation for sub-topics of international environmental law.
Earth Trends Environmental Institute – Searchable databases of information by research topics, as well as maps, country profiles, features, and data tables. Research topics include Coastal and Marine Ecosystems; Water Resources and Freshwater Ecosystems; Climate and Atmosphere; Population, Health and Human Well-being; Economics, Business and the Environment; Energy and Resources; Biodiversity and Protected Areas; Agriculture and Food; Forests, Grasslands, and Drylands; and Environmental Governance and Institutions.
EC Directorate-General for Energy and Transport – Links for energy agencies, case studies, and legislation for this sub-topic.
Environmental Law Institute – Information about the institute projects, press releases, books, reports, regulatory guidance documents, and environmental law publications .
Environment and International Humanitarian Law (ICRC) – Key documents, reports, and publications for international humanitarian law.
Environment Organization Web Directory – A comprehensive directory of environmental organizations and agencies, including foreign nations.
European Environment Agency (EEA) – Legal information by theme of environmental law, country, or search databases by research network.
European Environment Information and Observation Network (EIONET) – Research reports, data, research topics, and country information for European environmental law.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – Statistical databases, country information, a virtual library, and publications for this specialty topic.
FIELD (Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development ) – Reports of FIELD projects, papers, annual reports, and books and other publications.
GEO Data Portal (UN Environment Programme) – Data sets used by the UNEP and its Global Environmental Outlook report and other environmental assessments. Data may be displayed as maps, graphs, data tables, or other downloadable formats.
Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA) – With a focus on international water protection and assessment, this website provides links to GIWA methodology and regional reports for various transboundary waters.
Greenpeace International – Prominent non-governmental organization for international environmental law and protection of world resources with links to national sites.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – Online archive of IAEA publications, documents, conventions, and reports.
International Maritime Organization (IMO) – Overview of legal documentation, publications, and information resources for maritime issues.
International Seabed Authority (ISA) – Helpful ISA data repository, official documents, and press releases.
IUCN (World Conservation Union) – Information on numerous IUCN Programmes by sub-topic, publications, and policy documents. Other IUCN documents include position papers, resolutions, and recommendations.
International Water Law Project – This site provides access to international water law documents, case law, tables and maps of watercourses, and an extensive bibliography of sources.
North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation (EPA) / U.S.-Canada Environmental Cooperation (EPA) – North American focus on the NAAEC and associated documents, as well as a useful overview of this agreement.
OAS: Department of Sustainable Development – Excellent description of international law for sustainable development and links to projects and initiatives by subject.
OECD Data – Statistics, publications & documents, and information by country for topics in international environmental law.
Pacific Institute (The World’s Water) – Provides information about water conservation books, water data, a water conflict bibliography, and other resources for international water law.
Resources for the Future – Discussion papers, reports, briefs, books, and reference materials from RFF.
SourceOECD – Links to books, statistics, datasets, and periodicals for economics and trade research.
UNEP/GRID – Arendal, Norway (UNEP) – International news, maps and graphics library, reports, and overview of sub-topics and sources for international environmental law.
United Nations Division for Sustainable Development – Documentation for sustainable development research from the UN Department for Social and Economic Affairs.
United Nations Environment Programme: Basel Convention – Meeting documents, national reporting, and publications on global waste.
United Nations Environment Programme: Publications – UNEP Annual Reports, atlases, periodicals, and GEO environmental yearbooks.
United Nations Environment Programme: World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) – Highlights projects of the World Conservation Monitoring Centre and includes the latest news, publications, policy, and agreements.
UNEP-Infoterra: The Global Environmental Information Exchange Network – A research network of national environmental information centres and agencies for environmental information, which users can access through national focal points and interactive maps.
UNESCO Water Portal – Resources for international water law and links to news, events, and recent publications.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - Official documentation for the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, National Reports and Communications, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data, and press releases.
United Nations System-Wide “Earth Watch” – Excellent “data” portal for statistics and international programmes for international environmental data and emerging issues for sub-topics.
World Heritage Center – Resources, publications, activities, and news and events for the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
World Resources Institute – Resources for environmental law by research topic, data tables from EarthTrends, and other publications by research area of interest.
World Water Council – Resources for international water law, including programs, world water forums, newsletters, reports, and other publications.
World Wildlife Fund International – Recent news, facts, and publications by research topics, such as climate change, forests, freshwater, marine, species, and sustainability.

10. Environmental Law Blogs and Current Awareness Tools

Blogs, e-mail updates, and environmental websites with current news on international environmental law are a wonderful way to stay current while researching particular areas of law. The following are some websites, blogs, and news feeds that are helpful for supplementing research for this topic and staying current with the newest publications, research, and reports in international environmental law:

BEPress (Berkeley Electronic Press) / Environmental Law Repository – Digital repository of journals, working papers, and other scholarly publications with e-mail updates.
BNA’s International Environment Reporter: Current Report – E-mail updates for new cases, legislation, and other current awareness materials.
ECONET – Institute for Global Communications (RSS feed) – A feed is available for current awareness for news items in ECONET.
EnviroLink (XML feed) – A feed is available for EnviroLink’s news headlines.
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (XML feed / Facebook / Twitter) – An e-bulletin is available for researchers to stay up to date on E-LAW initiatives.
Environmental Law Prof Blog – Monitoring this blog through an aggregator or another feed can be a wonderful way to keep track of new environmental law developments, including international environmental law.
European Environment Agency Notification Service (RSS / YouTube / Twitter) – A feed service is available for the latest environmental reports, highlights, and briefings.
UNEP-Infoterra News Online – News, reports, press releases, and a comprehensive events calendar for international environmental law.
OECD News – News and recent books, statistics, and documents.
SSRN (Social Science Research Network) – Search recent scholarship in the legal scholarship network or other interdisciplinary research papers submitted prior to and during publication.

Law Research Paper Topics: Exploring Legal Frontiers

Table of contents

1 How to Pick a Legal Research Topic?
2.1 Civil Rights Topics of Law
2.2 Business Law Topics for Research Papers
2.3 Banking and Finance Law Topics
2.4 Constitutional Law Research Paper Topics
2.5 Criminal Law Topics for Essays
2.6 International Law Research Topics
2.7 Employment Law Research Paper Topics
2.8 Family Law Legal Topics to Write About
2.9 Environmental Law Research Paper Topics
2.10 Animal Law Topics to Research
2.11 Artificial Intelligence Law
2.12 Data Privacy and Cybersecurity
2.13 Medical Ethics and Health Law

Delving into law topics for research paper can be as challenging as rewarding. Crafting a paper that informs and engages requires a nuanced approach to selecting an intriguing and substantive subject. Many themes await scholarly exploration in legal studies, from the ever-evolving landscape of civil rights to the intricate nuances of international law. This guide aims to illuminate the path for students and researchers, providing a scaffold to build a compelling narrative around legal inquiries that resonate with contemporary issues and academic rigors.

How to Pick a Legal Research Topic?

Selecting topics for law research paper is an exercise of intellectual curiosity and scholarly contribution. Start with what piques your interest – issues you find yourself drawn to or questioning. Assess their impact on society and their place within academic discourse. Dive into the latest legal journals and case studies to uncover fresh perspectives and uncharted areas of law. Engage with your academic circle to sharpen your topic, ensuring it’s manageable and substantive. Choose a subject that promises a rich exploration and genuinely enthuses you. Your enthusiasm will drive the comprehensive analysis and persuasive arguments that will distinguish your work.

List of Law Topics for Research Paper

Well-chosen legal research topics can set your law research paper apart. Consider these avenues: the legal ramifications of artificial intelligence, privacy laws in the digital age, the intersection of mental health and criminal defense, or the evolving landscape of international trade law.

Civil Rights Topics of Law

Civil rights law continues to evolve as society changes. These topics delve into how worldwide legal systems address new civil rights challenges.

Analyzing the Efficacy of Affirmative Action in the 21st Century
Voter ID Laws: Ensuring Integrity or Suppressing Rights?
The Legal Battle Over LGBTQ+ Adoption Rights
Disability Rights in Employment: A Legal Review
The Impact of Racial Profiling on Civil Liberties
Free Speech in the Digital Age: A Legal Perspective
Religious Apparel in the Workplace: A Civil Rights Analysis
The Evolution of Gender Equality Laws in Sports
Policing the Police: Legal Responses to Excessive Force
Housing Discrimination and the Law: Current Challenges

Business Law Topics for Research Papers

Business law topics examine the complex and dynamic relationship between the law and business practices in the modern economy.

Navigating Intellectual Property Rights in Global Trade
Legal Strategies for Preventing Corporate Espionage
Antitrust Laws and Big Tech: A Modern Analysis
Corporate Social Responsibility: Legal Implications and Benefits
The Legality of Non-Compete Clauses in Employee Contracts
Cross-Border Mergers: Legal Challenges and Strategies
Legal Pitfalls in Online Business Ventures
Environmental Regulations Impacting Business Operations
Whistleblower Protections in the Corporate Sector
Arbitration vs. Litigation in Business Disputes

Banking and Finance Law Topics

These controversial topics in law explore the intricate legal frameworks that govern the ever-evolving financial and banking sectors worldwide.

Cryptocurrency Regulation: Legal Challenges and Opportunities
The Legality of High-Frequency Trading Practices
International Banking Laws Against Money Laundering
Consumer Protection in Online Banking Services
Legal Aspects of Crowdfunding Investments
Insider Trading Laws: An International Perspective
The Role of Law in Preventing Financial Crises
Sovereign Debt Disputes and International Law
Regulation of Derivatives: Legal Perspectives
Implementing Basel III Standards: A Legal Approach

Constitutional Law Research Paper Topics

Constitutional law remains a cornerstone in legal discussions, with these topics focusing on its application in current societal debates.

Same-Sex Marriage and Constitutional Law Developments
The Second Amendment: A Modern Legal Analysis
Freedom of the Press vs. National Security Concerns
Constitutional Changes in the Era of Digital Privacy
Legal Interpretations of Executive Powers in the 21st Century
The Constitutionality of Drone Surveillance
Separation of Church and State in Contemporary Legal Cases
Affirmative Action and Equal Protection Under Law
The Role of Judicial Review in Modern Governance
Eminent Domain: Balancing Public Interest and Private Rights

Criminal Law Topics for Essays

Criminal law topics for research paper reflect the complexities of maintaining justice and order in society while protecting the rights of the accused.

Decriminalization of Drug Use: A Legal Perspective
Cyberstalking Laws and Victim Protection
The Legal Response to White-Collar Crime in the Digital Age
Criminal Justice Reform and Rehabilitation Programs
The Death Penalty: A Comparative Legal Study
Forensic Science in Criminal Trials: Legal Considerations
Juvenile Delinquency: Legal Interventions and Outcomes
Legal Defenses in High-Profile Criminal Cases
Human Trafficking and International Criminal Law
Sentencing Guidelines: A Critical Legal Review

International Law Research Topics

International law governs the conduct of states and international organizations, presenting a range of topics for exploration in this globalized world.

The Law of the Sea: Navigating Maritime Disputes
International Humanitarian Law in Modern Warfare
The Legal Framework of Global Climate Agreements
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction: A Legal Quandary
The Role of the International Criminal Court
Trade Sanctions and International Law
Sovereignty vs. Human Rights: Legal Conflicts on the Global Stage
Legal Mechanisms for Protecting Endangered Species Internationally
The Legality of Unilateral Military Interventions
Diplomatic Immunity: Principles and Controversies

Employment Law Research Paper Topics

Employment law covers the rights and duties between employers and workers, and the topics showcase how these adapt to modern trends.

Legal Implications of Remote Work Policies
Discrimination Law in the Gig Economy
Sexual Harassment Laws in the Workplace
Workers’ Rights in the Age of Automation
The Legalities of Employee Surveillance
Unionization in the Tech Industry: A Legal Review
Minimum Wage Laws and Economic Impact
Occupational Safety Laws and Their Enforcement
Employee Privacy Rights Against Corporate Interests
Age Discrimination in Hiring Practices

Family Law Legal Topics to Write About

Family law is central to society’s fabric, and these topics address the legal complexities of family relationships and their protection under the law.

The Legal Status of Surrogacy Across Different Jurisdictions
Child Custody Laws and the Best Interests of the Child
Legal Challenges in Cross-Border Adoption
Divorce Law and the Division of Assets
Domestic Violence and Protective Order Efficacy
The Rights of Unmarried Couples Under Law
Paternity Laws and Disputes
Legal Implications of Parental Alienation
Same-Sex Couple Rights in Family Law
Child Support Enforcement Across Borders

Environmental Law Research Paper Topics

Environmental law aims to reconcile economic growth with the need to protect the environment, offering a range of pertinent research topics.

Legal Strategies for Combating Deforestation
Clean Air Act: A Legal Evaluation
The Role of Law in Protecting Endangered Species
Water Rights and Legal Disputes
Environmental Impact Assessments: Legal Requirements and Outcomes
Fracking Laws and Community Health Concerns
Climate Change Litigation and Corporate Accountability
Waste Management Laws and Policies
Legal Remedies for Oil Spill Disasters
Renewable Energy Laws and Sustainable Development

Animal Law Topics to Research

Animal research topics in law are an emerging field examining how the legal system addresses the complex issues related to animal rights and welfare.

Legal Protections for Wildlife in Urban Areas
The Legality of Animal Testing in Cosmetic Industries
Endangered Species Act: Legal Successes and Challenges
Animal Welfare Laws in Agricultural Practices
Legal Rights of Animals in Entertainment
Pet Ownership Disputes and the Law
The Trade of Exotic Animals: Legal and Ethical Dimensions
Animal Cruelty Laws and Enforcement Issues
Service Animals and Disability Rights
Wildlife Trafficking and International Law

Artificial Intelligence Law

Artificial intelligence law ideas for students examine the intersection of rapidly advancing technology and existing legal frameworks, a field ripe for academic inquiry.

Autonomous Vehicles and Liability Laws
AI in Healthcare: Legal and Ethical Considerations
Intellectual Property Rights for AI Creations
Legal Personhood for AI: A Futuristic Debate
AI and Privacy Laws: Adapting to New Realities
AI in the Courtroom: Legal Implications
Bias in AI Decision-Making and the Law
Regulation of AI in Financial Services
AI and Employment Law: Shifting Paradigms
AI in National Security: Legal Frameworks

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity

Data privacy and cybersecurity trending legal topics deal with the challenges of protecting personal information in the digital realm, a vital concern for governments, corporations, and individuals.

The Right to be Forgotten in the Digital Age
Cross-Border Data Transfer Laws
Cybersecurity Laws and the Protection of Critical Infrastructure
Legal Responses to Data Breaches
Data Privacy Laws for Children and Adolescents
Encryption Laws and National Security
Legal Implications of Biometric Data Use
Cyberbullying and Legal Recourse
Consumer Data Rights and Corporate Responsibilities
The GDPR: A Model for Global Data Privacy Laws

Medical Ethics and Health Law

Medical ethics and health law address the sensitive and often controversial legal issues that arise in the provision and management of healthcare.

End-of-Life Decision-Making and Legal Rights
Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act: A Legal Analysis
Legalities of Alternative Medicine Practices
Vaccine Mandates and Public Health Law
Mental Health Law and Patient Autonomy
Reproductive Rights and the Law
Legal Aspects of Organ Donation and Transplantation
Medical Malpractice: Prevention and Litigation
Health Insurance Laws and Access to Care
The Legalities of Medical Confidentiality

Readers also enjoyed

WHY WAIT? PLACE AN ORDER RIGHT NOW!

Just fill out the form, press the button, and have no worries!

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy.

Student Spotlights

Harvard law students’ research impacts environmental policy and regulations.

The Harvard Law School Environmental & Energy Law Program , also known as EELP, tracks and analyzes federal environmental regulation and policy and relies on significant support from its student research assistants. As the program moves from tracking rollbacks from the Trump administration that limited government action on climate change to focusing on the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to climate action, HLS students have dug into how the prior administration’s actions will impact the new administration’s goals and analyzed environmental regulatory changes that have real impacts on people’s lives.

Almost 30 students worked with EELP this academic year. Twelve of them and their research are highlighted below. They represent just a small fraction of the students who have worked with the program over the past few years

Sungjoo Ahn ’21, a third-year student from Seoul, Korea, joined EELP to pursue her interests in energy, environment, and international relations. Her research looks at the first-ever federal standard to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from aviation. While the rule — issued under the Trump administration — merely preserves the status quo, Sungjoo spells out several options to strengthen the standard under the Biden administration.

Second-year student Lia Cattaneo ’22 is pursuing a joint J.D./M.P.P. at Harvard. Originally from the D.C. area, Cattaneo worked in domestic climate and transportation policy before graduate school. She’s continued doing similar work for EELP, focusing on zero-emissions buses and rollback tracker pages for transportation agencies. Her report, Rethinking the “One National Program” for Clean Cars: Where Does the Biden Administration Go from Here? , deconstructs a Trump-era rule limiting the ability of the EPA and the Department of Transportation to set ambitious clean car standards and looks at the legal challenges the Biden administration faces in undoing the rule.

Hailing from the American West, third-year student Peter Daniels ’21 joined EELP with a focus on public lands and the Department of the Interior. In his paper, Update: E-Bikes Rules Finalized with Few Changes , Daniels looks at new rules around e-bikes on federal lands. He is also co-author of a major report on how the Trump administration managed federal lands that received attention from the media and congressional staff, and also wrote about the Endangered Species Act and sage grouse for EELP. After graduation, Daniels will clerk for Justice Balmer of the Oregon Supreme Court.

Daniel Eyal ’23 , a first-year student from Los Angeles with a background in government and politics, joined EELP in the fall to engage his interests in environmental, administrative, and local government law and policy. In his report, EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule: Examining Challenges and Prospects , Eyal looks at the EPA’s efforts to address lead in drinking water under both the Obama and Trump administrations and what steps the Biden EPA can take to finally eradicate this perennial public health problem.

In his paper Abandoning structures to rising sea levels, what are the legal issues and solutions? , second-year student Jake Hummer ’22 reviewed property law issues at play when coastlines change and engulf structures. This work for EELP led him to a semester-long independent writing project with a property law professor on the topic and he also continues to work with EELP on developing its legal analysis of sea-level rise issues .

Third-year student Cole Jermyn ’21 has written a number of pieces for EELP, from a paper mapping out how a new administration could undo the Trump administration’s environmental deregulation to a new piece on the challenges of developing offshore wind in areas where commercial fishing is concerned about its impacts.

Second-year student Peter Kalicki ’22 analyzed state involvement in federal permitting through the water certification provision of the Clean Water Act, the Trump administration’s efforts to limit states’ authority, and what the Biden administration will need to consider in revisiting the prior administration’s actions.

David Kidd ’23 is a first-year student and fifth-generation rancher from Wyoming and Colorado. Growing up in the West, he noticed that every year seemed to bring a worse drought or a more intense winter and he joined EELP to try to help impact the climate emergency.

In a new paper, US Regulatory Barriers to an Ambitious Paris Agreement Commitment , Kidd takes stock of countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement. He also reviews how the Trump administration’s environmental legacy could affect the Biden administration’s ability to set its own ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goal to reinvigorate global climate action.

Ozzy Rodriguez ’22 is a second-year student who joined EELP to explore his interest in administrative law and addressing environmental issues. In his first paper, Rodriguez examines what authority the EPA has to reevaluate Superfund settlements in light of climate change’s destabilizing effects. He finds that Congress has given the EPA the procedural tools to reassess those settlements and that such an initiative would be in line with the Biden administration’s environmental justice goals.

Ari Sillman ’21 , a third-year student, has worked with EELP since his first year at HLS. He has conducted research on corporate climate-related disclosure, legal issues around sea level rise, carbon tax policies, and how the new Biden administration may achieve its climate goals. His recent work includes an assessment of approaches the Biden administration could take to promote electric vehicles; a piece analyzing how a recent change in disaster management law allows FEMA to empower local communities to build resilient defenses before disasters strike, saving money and lives; and a detailed white paper reviewing state law on what happens to coastal property lines when sudden erosion events occur and what it means for states’ responses to sea level rise.

Annalise Wagner ’23 , a first-year student from St. Louis, Mo., joined EELP to pursue her interest in environmental justice. In a recent piece, Rolling Back DOJ’s Title VI Protections: Trump’s Abandoned Attempt and Potential Impacts on EJ Enforcement , she looks at an attempt by the Department of Justice, under former President Trump, to undermine civil rights complaints processes and its potentially devastating impacts on environmental justice enforcement across the federal government.

In addition to being a research assistant with EELP, second-year student Lindsay Williams ’23 is a co-editor-in-chief of the Harvard Environmental Law Review and a member of the Environmental Law Society . In her piece, Implementing Sturgeon v. Frost: Changes to the Park Service’s Jurisdiction over Navigable Waters in Alaska , she breaks down a complex Supreme Court decision and related rule by the National Park Service limiting the agency’s jurisdiction over certain rivers in Alaska, and what those changes mean for the Biden administration.

Modal Gallery

Gallery block modal gallery.

Law Research Paper Topics: 150 Impactful Ideas for Law Students

Legal matters always tend to influence almost every kind of reader, which is an excellent opportunity for legal students. An impressive law topic helps you to create a strong foothold for your entire legal research paper. Thus, you cannot risk your research paper by choosing poor law research paper topics.

With so many variations in law subjects, students find it hard to select the most interesting legal topic. So in this article, you will get some of the best creative legal topics to write about. Keep reading this article for some unique and innovative law research paper topics.

But before moving forward to our selected legal topics to write about, let’s discuss some pre- topic selection tips. These tips will provide you with the initial guidance regarding the selection of your law research paper topics.

Table of Contents

Law Research Paper Topic Selection Tips From Our Expert Writers

Don’t let yourself fall into irrelevant, unnecessary law research topic ideas. They will only make an impression of “fillers, ” resulting in obsolete content. Your legal research paper topic must be able to demonstrate your ideas and concerns in a concise manner with excellent communication skills.

Analyzing Different Legal Research Paper Topics

Whether you are a business student looking for business research topics or a law student searching for law research paper topics, the most appropriate approach is a thorough analysis of your favourite subjects. Law subjects such as business law, administrative law, constitutional law, etc., include various interesting legal topics. Select the most interesting subjects and break them into different topics. You can start by analyzing:

The current legal developments
A novel case where courts have split on their exposition of the law
Reading previous scholarly publications
Suggestions b
y your supervisors
A thorough update on the current affairs
Digging into different topic ideas

Mind-Mapping

Make a mind map of each of those pieces of information. Highlight the main points on a paper, and add their supporting details. By practicing this, you will get to understand a rough figure of how much information you can get on the following topic.

Check Reference Material from the Library

The increasing accessibility of internet usage has made it even more convenient for a large section of students. This method will ensure that your research topic consists of various information sources. It ensures that your research will not be interrupted due to the lack of resources.

Novel Cases Topic Ideas

The most common approach for selecting a legal research paper topic is focusing on the cases raised as a novel law issue. To identify these topics, you can browse the legal developments. You can also go through the recent legal matters before the Supreme Court or the highest authorized courts in different nations.

Consider Your Daily Routines

Sit down calmly and think about the issues and matters in the world that don’t fit right with you. Is there anything that excites you? If yes, you can also consider those topics for your research.

We hope that you have found your ideal law research paper topic. However, if you still cannot decide on your topic, don’t worry- we have crystallized some of the advanced

150 Advanced Law Research Paper Topics

Business law topics for research paper.

Business law is a branch of civil law which deals with different rules and regulations which govern businesses. Research paper topics in business law are equally challenging and awarding as well.

So here’s a list of some exciting topics in business law that you can consider for your research paper.

Detailed analysis of the copyright laws
The impact of online retailing on international markets
Study on white collar crime
Conflicts of interests between private and public sector
Shareholder rights
The contract laws
A detailed handbook on business law and the parliament
Statutory research on employment law for business
The trademark law and trade secrets
A detailed study on the non-profit organizations
The true nature of business law
A concise survey of the business law of The United States
The classification of business regulations in different nations
The importance of business laws for institutions and organizations
The formation and regulation of business law in the United Kingdom
Comparative examination between the equity and doctrines of business law
The role of the constitution in developing the business law
Text, cases, and readings on international business law
Business laws in the United States
Relationship between business law and moral growth
A detailed study on business law and moral growth
Understanding the history of business law corporations and their developments

Constitutional Law Research Paper Topics

Constitutional law refers to the fundamental principles used by the government for exercising its authority. Here are some essential constitutional law research paper topics:

Comparative examination between constitutional and administrative law
A detailed study on constitutional law
The doctrine of constitutional law
The politics of constitutional law in the United Nations
The nature of constitutional law in America
Internet and its impact on freedom of speech
The detailed study on the pros and cons of federalism
The rights of victims of self-incrimination
An evaluation of press freedom
A critical analysis of press freedom in the United Nations
Legal analysis on the flag burning issue
A comparative examination of constitutional and state laws
Comparison of constitutional law in America and India
The pros and cons of constitutional law in different nations
The politics and critical changes of the First Amendment
Comparison between the bill of right for Britain and Australia

Also Read – Sociology Research Topic Ideas

International Law Research Topic suggestions

International law research topics include the study of rules, principles, and relations of different countries with one another and with its citizen or states.

This is the list of the most impressive international law research topics that you can use for your research paper:

The limits of international law in theory and practice
International law and its importance for businesses
Why must countries respect international law
The epochs of the international law system
Why do nations and citizens obey international law
Exploring the code-based ethics
An introduction to international criminal court
International jurisdiction
The self-defeating international law
Principals used to formulate international laws and proceedings
International relations among different nations
False confessions: causes and consequences on international law
The issue of false confession in international law
The traditional justifications- issues and consequence
The international and national legislation
Forecasting the future of international law via the internet
The economic and spirit analysis of international law
An economic analysis of international law and orders

Civil Rights Legal Research Topics

These rights guarantee equal social opportunities to all citizens regardless of caste, gender, sex, and race. Law topics for civil rights can develop great content. If you are someone who’s always been fascinated by civil laws, then the below-given list will surely be helpful to you.

Civil justice in different nations
The unhappy history of civil rights in the United Nations
The journey of America from civil rights to human rights
The oral history and the origin of the civil rights movements
The forgotten promises of civil rights
Study on civil liberties and racial discrimination
The United Nations patriot right
The state firearm laws
The history of sexual discrimination and orientation in the United States.

Cyber Law Research Topic Ideas

Cyberlaw, also known as the IT law, deals with the internet’s relationship with information technology and electronic elements, such as computers and the internet.

Here are some of the current cyber law research topics, have a look at each before choosing any law topic.

The role of cyber law and security in the United Nations
The future of cyberterrorism and cybercrime
Cybercrimes and their enforcement in America
Global perception of cyber law
The study of cyber laws in the United Nations
Identifying the certainties of cyber laws and cybercrimes in the future
The role of cyber law in the regulation of cyber crimes
A study about awareness of cyber laws in the United Kingdom
An analysis of cyber crimes and the enforcement of cyber laws
The issues and challenges a government face with their cyber crimes

Commercial Legal Topics for Research Paper

Commercial law is a body of law designed to regulate the conduct of individuals and merchants and support businesses in making money in trade, sales, and commerce from their products and services.

Commercials partnerships: the associated dangers and potential results
pre-incorporation contracts: a company liability
The effects of pre-incorporation agreements on German company law
The significance of mediating the role of corporate social responsibility in organizational growth
A detailed study on the US commercial laws
The difficulties in the codification of commercial law
A case study of the USA: what did the USA do in its power to stop corruption
The effectiveness of commercial law
Supporting the commercial law for supporting the commercial transactions in the US

Also Read – About our Research Proposal Writing Service

Research Paper Topic Ideas for Tax Laws

Law research on taxes can be an excellent opportunity to write an extraordinary paper. If you are considering taxes as your subject, you can view the following topics under this subject.

Here are some inspiring legal research topics to get started with your legal research:

The research methods and taxation history in the United States
A comparative study on the indirect and direct taxes in the United States
The Future agenda and research strategies in comparative taxation
The future agenda and myth of environmental taxation
The Political economy of taxation in the US
Introduction to taxation in the Indian government
Structural analysis of comparative income taxation
The power of tax in the economy
The idea of the single taxpayer: setting new agendas for research
The international exchanges ideas on taxation in the USA economy

Criminal Law Research Paper Topic Ideas

Criminal law, as distinguished from civil law. It is the body of law concerned with criminal offences and includes punishing individuals who commit them. Writing a research paper on criminal law will open numerous gates of opportunities for you.

Let’s have a look at these criminal law legal topics for your paper:

A detailed study on Criminal psychology
What is the reason behind different punishments for one crime
The role of sociology in preventing criminal offenses
The ethical and legal issues of criminal activities in the United Kingdom
Domestic violence in modern times
The impact of intensive bail supervision on repeat domestic violence offenders
A study on criminal cartel offenses in the United Kingdom
A handbook on DNA testing, fingerprints, and polygraphs
Compulsory self-incrimination as a privilege
Structural analysis of criminal violations of sexual abuse
Criminologists in ancient times versus in modern times
An analysis of cases and concepts of criminal procedures
A worldwide perspective on the death penalty
Public bail as a national disaster
Criminal law in America versus in other nations
Lie detector and the law behind it
The dimension of male and female rape legislation

Interesting legal topics for Medical law

Medical law is the body of law concerned with patients’ and medical professionals’ rights and responsibilities. The core of medical law focuses on confidentiality, negligence, and other torts regarding medical treatments.

We have provided some fascinating legal research topics to write about if you are interested in medical law.

Let’s have a look at them:

Family and medical leave act (FMLA)
An analysis of medical Malpractices
Mental health laws in the United States
Refusal of medical law and the common laws behind it
Medical laws at the time of world war2
Medical laws and ethics: Great debates behind it
Law of abortion in the United States
A systematic review of medical cannabis
Almost a revolution in the mental health law around the world
American health law around world war2

Environmental Legal Topics to Write About

We hope you must have found your law topic by now. If not, then don’t worry. We still have a few more interesting legal topics for your research paper. Let’s have a look at the below-given topics:

The growth of environmental science towards a sustainable future
The making of international environmental law
The politics and policies behind international environmental law
A detailed study on environmental and wildlife crimes
Climate change and environmental laws in Great Britain
Economic theory and environmental law policy in America
International environmental law: crime, policy, and justice
The biological weapons and policies by international environmental law
How has global environmental law changed in today’s era
The environmental law and climate changes in Australia
Environmental regulations and policies in Canada
How is the Uber industry affecting the ecology of America

Some Additional Interesting Legal Topics

Last but not least, we have crystallized some of your paper’s critical national and international law research topics. In this section, you will get a mixture of every kind of legal research paper topic. So if you are still confused about your research paper topic, look at the below-given law topic.

Children custody in the Us law
Multi banking law
Policies and practices involved in education law
Active and passive euthanasia: a right to die with dignity
The current US environmental laws
Organ donation: International and national practices regarding it
Practices of organ donation in America
Separation of banking and commerce in different nations
Employment laws and policies in the United States
The impossibility of religious freedom laws
The #Metoo movement and its consequences in different nations
A comparative analysis of terrorism laws in different nations
The anti-discrimination law The drawbacks of traditional jurisdictions
Employment law for disabled individuals in the UK
Forecasting the future with digital legislation
Sexual harassment policy in America
The right to religious freedom in International laws

Final Thoughts

You just finished reading more than 150 law research paper topics. To gain brilliant scores for your research paper, selecting an exceptional legal research topic is crucial. These unique lists of topics will surely help you score high grades in your academic research.

Our native experts from Edumagnate.com have selected every topic according to current legal requirements. They can also help you with different legal research questions or some additional business law project ideas for your research paper. These questions or topics will help you to frame your research work into a big picture, making you stand out in the crowd.

In case you have any difficulty in writing a legal research paper, you can have a look at our article – A Detailed Guide to Write an Enticing Law Research Paper . This article will help you elaborate on legal research papers’ structure and format.

By Alex Brown

I'm an ambitious, seasoned, and versatile author. I am experienced in proposing, outlining, and writing engaging assignments. Developing contagious academic work is always my top priority. I have a keen eye for detail and diligence in producing exceptional academic writing work. I work hard daily to help students with their assignments and projects. Experimenting with creative writing styles while maintaining a solid and informative voice is what I enjoy the most.

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy

A Research Guide
Research Paper Topics

120 Law Research Paper Topics

How to choose a topic for your law research paper:.

Business Law Research Paper Topics:

The impact of intellectual property laws on innovation in the technology industry
The legal implications of data breaches and cybersecurity in the business sector
The role of corporate social responsibility in shaping business law and regulations
The legal challenges of international business transactions and cross-border disputes
The impact of antitrust laws on competition and market dynamics
The legal framework for protecting consumer rights in e-commerce
The legal implications of employee privacy rights in the digital age
The role of business law in regulating corporate governance and preventing corporate misconduct
The legal challenges of regulating emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain
The legal implications of environmental regulations on business operations and sustainability
The role of business law in promoting fair trade and preventing unfair business practices
The legal challenges of regulating online platforms and the sharing economy
The impact of labor laws on employee rights and workplace regulations
The legal implications of international trade agreements and their impact on domestic businesses
The role of business law in protecting intellectual property rights in the creative industries

Criminal Law Research Paper Topics:

The impact of mandatory minimum sentencing laws on the criminal justice system
The role of forensic evidence in criminal investigations and trials
The effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism rates
The ethical implications of using plea bargaining in criminal cases
The relationship between mental illness and criminal behavior
The use of technology in preventing and investigating cybercrimes
The impact of racial profiling on the criminal justice system
The legal and ethical considerations of the death penalty
The role of eyewitness testimony in criminal trials
The impact of drug policies on crime rates and public health
The legal and social implications of juvenile justice reform
The use of DNA evidence in exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals
The role of criminal law in addressing domestic violence
The impact of hate crime legislation on preventing and prosecuting hate crimes
The legal and ethical considerations of surveillance and privacy rights in criminal investigations

International Law Research Paper Topics:

The impact of international human rights law on state sovereignty
The role of international criminal law in addressing war crimes and crimes against humanity
The effectiveness of international environmental law in combating climate change
The legal implications of cyber warfare in the context of international law
The challenges and opportunities of international trade law in the era of globalization
The role of international humanitarian law in protecting civilians during armed conflicts
The legal framework for the protection of cultural heritage in times of armed conflict
The legal implications of state-sponsored terrorism under international law
The role of international law in addressing the refugee crisis and protecting the rights of refugees
The legal aspects of territorial disputes and the role of international law in resolving them
The impact of international investment law on foreign direct investment and economic development
The legal framework for the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights under international law
The role of international law in addressing transnational organized crime
The legal implications of the use of force in self-defense under international law
The challenges and opportunities of international law in regulating emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons

Law Enforcement Research Paper Topics:

The impact of community policing on crime rates
Racial profiling and its effects on law enforcement practices
The use of body-worn cameras in improving police accountability
The role of technology in modern law enforcement
The effectiveness of intelligence-led policing in preventing terrorism
Police use of force: examining policies and training methods
The relationship between mental health and law enforcement interactions
The impact of social media on law enforcement investigations
Police corruption and strategies for prevention
The role of law enforcement in addressing domestic violence
The use of predictive policing algorithms in crime prevention
The challenges and benefits of implementing restorative justice in law enforcement
The role of law enforcement in combating human trafficking
The impact of drug decriminalization on law enforcement efforts
The effectiveness of community-based alternatives to incarceration in reducing recidivism rates

Constitutional Law Research Paper Topics:

The impact of the First Amendment on freedom of speech in the digital age
Analyzing the constitutionality of affirmative action policies in higher education
The role of the Supreme Court in shaping the interpretation of the Second Amendment
Exploring the constitutionality of warrantless surveillance programs in the United States
The constitutional implications of the death penalty in the context of cruel and unusual punishment
Analyzing the constitutionality of presidential executive orders and their limits
The constitutional rights of non-citizens and the balance between national security and civil liberties
The impact of the Fourth Amendment on privacy rights in the era of technological advancements
The constitutionality of restrictions on religious freedom in the United States
Analyzing the constitutional implications of the war on drugs and its impact on individual rights
The role of the judiciary in protecting reproductive rights and the constitutionality of abortion laws
The constitutional implications of the use of military force and executive power in times of war
Analyzing the constitutionality of campaign finance regulations and their impact on free speech
The constitutional rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and the evolution of marriage equality
The balance between national security and civil liberties in the context of surveillance and intelligence gathering

Environmental Law Research Paper Topics:

The role of international environmental law in addressing climate change
The effectiveness of environmental impact assessments in ensuring sustainable development
Legal implications of biodiversity conservation and protection
The legal framework for regulating pollution from industrial activities
The role of environmental justice in addressing environmental inequalities
Legal challenges and opportunities in transitioning to renewable energy sources
The legal implications of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture
The role of environmental law in protecting and managing water resources
Legal frameworks for addressing marine pollution and protecting marine ecosystems
The legal aspects of waste management and recycling
The role of environmental law in promoting sustainable urban development
Legal challenges in regulating and mitigating air pollution
The legal framework for protecting indigenous rights and traditional knowledge in environmental conservation
The role of environmental law in addressing deforestation and promoting sustainable forestry practices
Legal implications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, in environmental governance

Family Law Research Paper Topics:

The impact of divorce on children’s mental health
The role of domestic violence in child custody disputes
Same-sex marriage and adoption rights: A comparative analysis
The legal implications of surrogacy and assisted reproductive technologies
Parental alienation syndrome: Legal and psychological perspectives
The effectiveness of prenuptial agreements in protecting individual assets
The legal rights of grandparents in child custody battles
The impact of substance abuse on child custody determinations
The legal and ethical considerations of international child abduction cases
The role of family courts in protecting victims of domestic violence
The legal implications of cohabitation and common-law relationships
The impact of social media on divorce proceedings and child custody disputes
The legal rights of unmarried fathers in child custody cases
The role of child support in ensuring the financial well-being of children
The legal and ethical considerations of assisted suicide in cases of terminal illness within families

Employment Law Research Paper Topics:

Discrimination in the workplace: Analyzing the impact of anti-discrimination laws on employment practices
The gig economy and its implications for employment law: Examining the legal challenges faced by gig workers
Workplace harassment and its legal consequences: Investigating the effectiveness of anti-harassment policies
The role of social media in employment law: Exploring the legal boundaries of monitoring employees’ online activities
Employee privacy rights in the digital age: Analyzing the balance between employers’ interests and employees’ privacy expectations
The impact of minimum wage laws on employment rates: Evaluating the economic effects of minimum wage legislation
Non-compete agreements and their enforceability: Assessing the legal limitations and implications of non-compete clauses
Workplace safety regulations and their enforcement: Examining the effectiveness of occupational health and safety laws
The legal implications of workplace drug testing: Analyzing the balance between employers’ interests and employees’ privacy rights
The rights of employees with disabilities: Investigating the legal obligations of employers to accommodate disabled workers
Whistleblower protection laws and their effectiveness: Assessing the legal safeguards for employees who report wrongdoing
The legal implications of employee surveillance: Analyzing the boundaries of workplace monitoring and its impact on employee rights
Employment contracts and their enforceability: Examining the legal requirements and limitations of employment agreements
The legal obligations of employers in cases of workplace violence: Investigating the duty of employers to provide a safe working environment
The impact of technology on employment law: Exploring the legal challenges posed by automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics in the workplace

Writing a Research Paper
Research Paper Title
Research Paper Sources
Research Paper Problem Statement
Research Paper Thesis Statement
Hypothesis for a Research Paper
Research Question
Research Paper Outline
Research Paper Summary
Research Paper Prospectus
Research Paper Proposal
Research Paper Format
Research Paper Styles
AMA Style Research Paper
MLA Style Research Paper
Chicago Style Research Paper
APA Style Research Paper
Research Paper Structure
Research Paper Cover Page
Research Paper Abstract
Research Paper Introduction
Research Paper Body Paragraph
Research Paper Literature Review
Research Paper Background
Research Paper Methods Section
Research Paper Results Section
Research Paper Discussion Section
Research Paper Conclusion
Research Paper Appendix
Research Paper Bibliography
APA Reference Page
Annotated Bibliography
Bibliography vs Works Cited vs References Page
Research Paper Types
What is Qualitative Research

Receive paper in 3 Hours!

Choose the number of pages.
Select your deadline.
Complete your order.

Number of Pages

550 words (double spaced)

Deadline: 10 days left

By clicking "Log In", you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We'll occasionally send you account related and promo emails.

Harvard Library
Research Guides
Guides by Subject

Specialized Research Topics in Law

Except where otherwise noted, this work is subject to a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , which allows anyone to share and adapt our material as long as proper attribution is given. For details and exceptions, see the Harvard Library Copyright Policy ©2021 Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College.

Platform Overview All-in-one legal research and workflow software
Legal Research Unmetered access to primary and secondary sources
Workflow Tools AI-powered tools for smarter workflows
News & Analysis Paywall-free premium Bloomberg news and coverage
Practical Guidance Ready-to-use guidance for any legal task
Contract Solutions New: Streamlined contract workflow platform
Introducing Contract Solutions Experience contract simplicity
Watch product demo
Law Firms Find everything you need to serve your clients
In-House Counsel Expand expertise, reduce cost, and save time
Government Get unlimited access to state and federal coverage
Law Schools Succeed in school and prepare for practice
Customer Cost Savings and Benefits See why GCs and CLOs choose Bloomberg Law
Getting Started Experience one platform, one price, and continuous innovation
Our Initiatives Empower the next generation of lawyers
Careers Explore alternative law careers and join our team
Press Releases See our latest news and product updates
DEI Framework Raising the bar for law firms
Request Pricing
Legal Solutions

How to Conduct Legal Research

September 21, 2021

Conducting legal research can challenge even the most skilled law practitioners.

As laws evolve across jurisdictions, it can be a difficult to keep pace with every legal development. Equally daunting is the ability to track and glean insights into stakeholder strategies and legal responses. Without quick and easy access to the right tools, the legal research upon which case strategy hinges may face cost, personnel, and litigation outcome challenges.

Bloomberg Law’s artificial intelligence-driven tools drastically reduce the time to perform legal research. Whether you seek quick answers to legal research definitions, or general guidance on the legal research process, Bloomberg Law’s Core Litigation Skills Toolkit has you covered.

What is legal research?

Legal research is the process of uncovering and understanding all of the legal precedents, laws, regulations, and other legal authorities that apply in a case and inform an attorney’s course of action.

Legal research often involves case law research, which is the practice of identifying and interpreting the most relevant cases concerning the topic at issue. Legal research can also involve a deep dive into a judge’s past rulings or opposing counsel’s record of success.

Research is not a process that has a finite start and end, but remains ongoing throughout every phase of a legal matter. It is a cornerstone of a litigator’s skills.

[Learn how our integrated, time-saving litigation research tools allow litigators to streamline their work and get answers quickly.]

Where do I begin my legal research?

Beginning your legal research will look different for each assignment. At the outset, ensure that you understand your goal by asking questions and taking careful notes. Ask about background case information, logistical issues such as filing deadlines, the client/matter number, and billing instructions.

It’s also important to consider how your legal research will be used. Is the research to be used for a pending motion? If you are helping with a motion for summary judgment, for example, your goal is to find cases that are in the same procedural posture as yours and come out favorably for your side (i.e., if your client is the one filing the motion, try to find cases where a motion for summary judgment was granted, not denied). Keep in mind the burden of proof for different kinds of motions.

Finally, but no less important, assess the key facts of the case. Who are the relevant parties? Where is the jurisdiction? Who is the judge? Note all case details that come to mind.

What if I’m new to the practice area or specific legal issue?

While conducting legal research, it is easy to go down rabbit holes. Resist the urge to start by reviewing individual cases, which may prove irrelevant. Start instead with secondary sources, which often provide a prevailing statement of the law for a specific topic. These sources will save time and orient you to the area of the law and key issues.

Litigation Practical Guidance provides the essentials including step-by-step guidance, expert legal analysis, and a preview of next steps. Source citations are included in all Practical Guidance, and you can filter Points of Law, Smart Code®, and court opinions searches to get the jurisdiction-specific cases or statutes you need.

Points of Law Bloomberg Law feature on a desktop computer screen

Searching across Points of Law will help to get your bearings on an issue before diving into reading the cases in full. Points of Law uses machine learning to identify key legal principles expressed in court opinions, which are easily searchable by keyword and jurisdiction. This tool helps you quickly find other cases that have expressed the same Point of Law, and directs you to related Points of Law that might be relevant to your research. It is automatically updated with the most recent opinions, saving you time and helping you quickly drill down to the relevant cases.

How do I respond to the opposing side’s brief?

Whether a brief is yours or that of the opposing party, Bloomberg Law’s Brief Analyzer is an essential component in the legal research process. It reduces the time spent analyzing a brief, identifying relevant authorities, and preparing a solid response.

To start, navigate to Brief Analyzer available from the Bloomberg Law homepage, within the Litigation Intelligence Center , or from Docket Key search results for briefs.

Bloomberg Law Brief Analyzer tool on litigation intelligence center

Simply upload the opposing side’s brief into the tool, and Brief Analyzer will generate a report of the cited authorities and arguments contained in the brief.

You can easily view a comparison with the brief and analysis side by side. It will also point you directly to relevant cases, Points of Law, and Practical Guidance to jump start your research.

Bloomberg Law Brief Analyzer citations and analysis feature

[ How to Write a Legal Brief – Learn how to shorten the legal research cycle and give your legal brief a competitive advantage.]

How to optimize your search.

Crafting searches is a critical skill when it comes to legal research. Although many legal research platforms, including Bloomberg Law, offer natural language searching, terms and connectors (also called Boolean) searching is still a vital legal research skill and should be used when searching across court opinions, dockets, Points of Law, and other primary and secondary sources.

When you conduct a natural language search, the search engine applies algorithms to rank your results. Why a certain case is ranked as it is may not be obvious. This makes it harder to interpret whether the search is giving you everything you need. It is also harder to efficiently and effectively manipulate your search terms to zero in on the results you want. Using Boolean searching gives you better control over your search and greater confidence in your results.

The good news? Bloomberg Law does not charge by the search for court opinion searches. If your initial search was much too broad or much too narrow, you do not have to worry about immediately running a new and improved search.

Follow these tips when beginning a search to ensure that you do not miss relevant materials:

Make sure you do not have typos in your search string.
Search the appropriate source or section of the research platform. It is possible to search only within a practice area, jurisdiction, secondary resource, or other grouping of materials.
Make sure you know which terms and connectors are utilized by the platform you are working on and what they mean – there is no uniform standard set of terms of connectors utilized by all platforms.
Include in your search all possible terms the court might use, or alternate ways the court may address an issue. It is best to group the alternatives together within a parenthetical, connected by OR between each term.
Consider including single and multiple character wildcards when relevant. Using a single character wildcard (an asterisk) and/or a multiple character wildcard (an exclamation point) helps you capture all word variations – even those you might not have envisioned.
Try using a tool that helps you find additional relevant case law. When you find relevant authority, use BCITE on Bloomberg Law to find all other cases and/or sources that cite back to that case. When in BCITE, click on the Citing Documents tab, and search by keyword to narrow the results. Alternatively, you can use the court’s language or ruling to search Points of Law and find other cases that addressed the same issue or reached the same ruling.

[Bloomberg Law subscribers can access a complete checklist of search term best practices . Not a subscriber? Request a Demo .]

How can legal research help with drafting or strategy?

Before drafting a motion or brief, search for examples of what firm lawyers filed with the court in similar cases. You can likely find recent examples in your firm’s internal document system or search Bloomberg Law’s dockets. If possible, look for things filed before the same judge so you can get a quick check on rules/procedures to be followed (and by the same partner when possible so you can get an idea of their style preferences).

Careful docket search provides a wealth of information about relevant cases, jurisdictions, judges, and opposing counsel. On Bloomberg Law, type “Dockets Search” in the Go bar or find the dockets search box in the Litigation Intelligence Center .

If you do not know the specific docket number and/or court, use the docket search functionality Docket Key . Select from any of 20 categories, including motions, briefs, and orders, across all 94 federal district courts, to pinpoint the exact filing of choice.

Bloomberg Law Dockets Search feature on a desktop computer screen

Dockets can also help you access lots of information to guide your case strategy. For example, if you are considering filing a particular type of motion, such as a sanctions motion, you can use dockets to help determine how frequently your judge grants sanctions motions. You can also use dockets to see how similar cases before your judge proceeded through discovery.

If you are researching expert witnesses, you can use dockets to help determine if the expert has been recently excluded from a case, or whether their opinion has been limited. If so, this will help you determine whether the expert is a good fit for your case.

Dockets are a powerful research tool that allow you to search across filings to support your argument. Stay apprised of docket updates with the “Create Alert” option on Bloomberg Law.

Dive deeper into competitive research.

For even more competitive research insights, dive into Bloomberg Law’s Litigation Analytics – this is available in the Litigation tab on the homepage. Data here helps attorneys develop litigation strategy, predict possible outcomes, and better advise clients.

To start, under Litigation Analytics , leverage the Attorney tab to view case history and preview legal strategies the opposition may practice against you. Also, within Litigation Analytics, use the Court tab to get aggregate motion and appeal outcome rates across all federal courts, with the option to run comparisons across jurisdictions, and filter by company, law firm, and attorney.

Use the Judge tab to glean insights from cited opinions, and past and current decisions by motion and appeal outcomes. Also view litigation analytics in the right rail of court opinions.

Docket search can also offer intel on your opponent. Has your opponent filed similar lawsuits or made similar arguments before? How did those cases pan out? You can learn a lot about an opponent from past appearances in court.

How do I validate case law citations?

Checking the status of case law is essential in legal research. Rely on Bloomberg Law’s proprietary citator, BCITE. This time-saving tool lets you know if a case is still good law.

Under each court opinion, simply look to the right rail. There, you will see a thumbnail icon for “BCITE Analysis.” Click on the icon, and you will be provided quick links to direct history (opinions that affect or are affected by the outcome of the case at issue); case analysis (citing cases, with filter and search options), table of authorities, and citing documents.

How should I use technology to improve my legal research?

A significant benefit of digital research platforms and analytics is increased efficiency. Modern legal research technology helps attorneys sift through thousands of cases quickly and comprehensively. These products can also help aggregate or summarize data in a way that is more useful and make associations instantaneously.

For example, before litigation analytics were common, a partner may have asked a junior associate to find all summary judgment motions ruled on by a specific judge to determine how often that judge grants or denies them. The attorney could have done so by manually searching over PACER and/or by searching through court opinions, but that would take a long time. Now, Litigation Analytics can aggregate that data and provide an answer in seconds. Understanding that such products exist can be a game changer. Automating parts of the research process frees up time and effort for other activities that benefit the client and makes legal research and writing more efficient.

[Read our article: Six ways legal technology aids your litigation workflow .]

Tools like Points of Law , dockets and Brief Analyzer can also increase efficiency, especially when narrowing your research to confirm that you found everything on point. In the past, attorneys had to spend many hours (and lots of money) running multiple court opinion searches to ensure they did not miss a case on point. Now, there are tools that can dramatically speed up that process. For example, running a search over Points of Law can immediately direct you to other cases that discuss that same legal principle.

However, it’s important to remember that digital research and analytical tools should be seen as enhancing the legal research experience, not displacing the review, analysis, and judgment of an attorney. An attorney uses his or her knowledge of their client, the facts, the precedent, expert opinions, and his or her own experiences to predict the likely result in a given matter. Digital research products enhance this process by providing more data on a wider array of variables so that an attorney can take even more information into consideration.

[Get all your questions answered, request a Bloomberg Law demo , and more.]

Recommended for you

See bloomberg law in action.

From live events to in-depth reports, discover singular thought leadership from Bloomberg Law. Our network of expert analysts is always on the case – so you can make yours. Request a demo to see it for yourself.

How it works

Useful Links

How much will your dissertation cost?

Have an expert academic write your dissertation paper!

Dissertation Services

Get unlimited topic ideas and a dissertation plan for just £45.00

Order topics and plan

Get 1 free topic in your area of study with aim and justification

Yes I want the free topic

Environmental Law Dissertation Topics

Published by Owen Ingram at January 2nd, 2023 , Revised On August 11, 2023

Human civilization cannot continue to develop without environmental sustainability. A legal provision that protects the environment is called an “environmental law.”

An academic study of environmental law provides a better understanding of how to simultaneously protect the environment and human health. We aim to ensure that the students do their environmental law homework intelligently and efficiently while conserving time, energy, and resources.

You can find all the help you will ever need to get started with your dissertation project with our list of top environmental law dissertation topics and themes provided below, created by our team of research writers.

List of Environmental Law Dissertation Topics & Ideas

What are the UK’s environmental laws’ salient characteristics, and what are the obstacles to their effective implementation?
Discuss whether international environmental legislation is equitable regarding the management of natural resources in developing countries.
Please suggest measures to tighten national and international environmental regulations to stop the trade in animal parts and the poaching of tigers in Asia.
Energy laws against environmental legislation: A comparison of the likes and dislikes
Discuss how international law experts might help with conscientious ecological restoration.
A thorough analysis of the key natural resource disasters in the country of your choice in Latin America. Shed some information on the existing or suggested policy frameworks to deal with these challenges.
The impact of environmental regulations in the UK on preserving natural forestation and safeguarding wildlife.
A useful investigation into the contrast between environmental law and energy law. In light of the parallels and discrepancies between them in the UK.
A thorough investigation of the International Council’s involvement in conscientious ecological restoration examines the significant
resource disasters that have occurred in the UK. What is the structure for the policy to deal with these issues?
Examine the most recent environmental law and crime cases in the UK.
Examine how environmental legislation agents are developed and implemented in the UK.
An in-depth examination of the key components of UK environmental laws
The contribution of UK environmental legislation to resource conservation and animal protection
A study of the difficulties UK environmental laws face. Implementation and challenges
An assessment of the contribution of global environmental legislation to preserving the use of natural resources in developing countries
What makes the Amazon rainforests the “lungs of the world”? How is the Brazilian government’s present strategy threatening to destroy the world’s greatest rainforest cover?
A review of environmental laws in the UK. Do they go far enough to decrease our environment’s exposure to harmful substances like carbon emissions?
Governmental measures to lessen the threat to the environment. A survey of the UK’s leading chemical industries.
An academic study to raise awareness about the UK’s annual chemical and carbon emissions onto the land, the sea, and the air.
What can Bhutan teach the rest of the world? A nation with low carbon emissions.
What aspects of environmental law can Bhutan teach the UK to protect its forests and wildlife?
Is it feasible to bring all the world’s main economies up to par on climate change? What steps may be taken to balance the economies’ objectives for the world and environmental sustainability?
Are the UK’s current environmental laws strong enough to limit carbon emissions and other harmful environmental elements?
How are governments in the country of your choosing enacting laws to lessen the environmental harm posed by the leading chemical industries?
The world about the annual chemical and carbon emission in the sea, land, and air in the US states by conducting a scientific study.

Hire an Expert Writer

Orders completed by our expert writers are

Formally drafted in an academic style
Free Amendments and 100% Plagiarism Free – or your money back!
100% Confidential and Timely Delivery!
Free anti-plagiarism report
Appreciated by thousands of clients. Check client reviews

You may be required to meet certain requirements as an environmental lawyer at your institute. Your dissertation will be based on these specifications. These specifications can only be adhered to by lawyers and writing experts.

You don’t have to gamble with your academic future if you take our dissertation writing help . We have teams of highly qualified dissertation experts and lawyers at your disposal. You can improve your grades and achieve your dreams by working with them.

Environmental law dissertation topics can be challenging to come up with. That said, the aforementioned ideas can be considered for your dissertation.

Free Dissertation Topic

Phone Number

Academic Level Select Academic Level Undergraduate Graduate PHD

Academic Subject

Area of Research

Frequently Asked Questions

How to find environmental law dissertation topics.

To find environmental law dissertation topics:

Research recent legal developments.
Explore gaps in existing laws.
Analyze global environmental issues.
Consider policy implications.
Examine case studies.
Select a topic aligning with your passion and career aspirations.

Business development

Billing management software
Court management software
Legal calendaring solutions

Practice management & growth

Project & knowledge management
Workflow automation software

Corporate & business organization

Business practice & procedure

Legal forms

Legal form-building software

Legal data & document management

Data management
Data-driven insights
Document management
Document storage & retrieval

Drafting software, service & guidance

Contract services
Drafting software
Electronic evidence

Financial management

Outside counsel spend

Law firm marketing

Attracting & retaining clients
Custom legal marketing services

Legal research & guidance

Anywhere access to reference books
Due diligence
Legal research technology

Trial readiness, process & case guidance

Case management software
Matter management

Recommended Products

Conduct legal research efficiently and confidently using trusted content, proprietary editorial enhancements, and advanced technology.

Accelerate how you find answers with powerful generative AI capabilities and the expertise of 650+ attorney editors. With Practical Law, access thousands of expertly maintained how-to guides, templates, checklists, and more across all major practice areas.

A business management tool for legal professionals that automates workflow. Simplify project management, increase profits, and improve client satisfaction.

All products

Tax & Accounting

Audit & accounting.

Accounting & financial management
Audit workflow
Engagement compilation & review
Guidance & standards
Internal audit & controls
Quality control

Data & document management

Certificate management
Data management & mining
Document storage & organization

Estate planning

Estate planning & taxation
Wealth management

Financial planning & analysis

Financial reporting

Payroll, compensation, pension & benefits

Payroll & workforce management services
Healthcare plans
Billing management
Client management
Cost management
Practice management
Workflow management

Professional development & education

Product training & education
Professional development

Tax planning & preparation

Financial close
Income tax compliance
Tax automation
Tax compliance
Tax planning
Tax preparation
Sales & use tax
Transfer pricing
Fixed asset depreciation

Tax research & guidance

Federal tax
State & local tax
International tax
Tax laws & regulations
Partnership taxation
Research powered by AI
Specialized industry taxation
Credits & incentives
Uncertain tax positions

A powerful tax and accounting research tool. Get more accurate and efficient results with the power of AI, cognitive computing, and machine learning.

Provides a full line of federal, state, and local programs. Save time with tax planning, preparation, and compliance.

Automate work paper preparation and eliminate data entry

Trade & Supply

Customs & duties management.

Customs law compliance & administration

Global trade compliance & management

Global export compliance & management
Global trade analysis
Denied party screening

Product & service classification

Harmonized Tariff System classification

Supply chain & procurement technology

Foreign-trade zone (FTZ) management
Supply chain compliance

Software that keeps supply chain data in one central location. Optimize operations, connect with external partners, create reports and keep inventory accurate.

Automate sales and use tax, GST, and VAT compliance. Consolidate multiple country-specific spreadsheets into a single, customizable solution and improve tax filing and return accuracy.

Risk & Fraud

Risk & compliance management.

Regulatory compliance management

Fraud prevention, detection & investigations

Fraud prevention technology

Risk management & investigations

Investigation technology
Document retrieval & due diligence services

Search volumes of data with intuitive navigation and simple filtering parameters. Prevent, detect, and investigate crime.

Identify patterns of potentially fraudulent behavior with actionable analytics and protect resources and program integrity.

Analyze data to detect, prevent, and mitigate fraud. Focus investigation resources on the highest risks and protect programs by reducing improper payments.

News & Media

Who we serve.

Broadcasters
Governments
Marketers & Advertisers
Professionals
Sports Media
Corporate Communications
Health & Pharma
Machine Learning & AI

Content Types

All Content Types
Human Interest
Business & Finance
Entertainment & Lifestyle
Reuters Community
Reuters Plus - Content Studio
Advertising Solutions
Sponsorship
Verification Services
Action Images
Reuters Connect
World News Express
Reuters Pictures Platform
API & Feeds
Reuters.com Platform

Media Solutions

User Generated Content
Reuters Ready
Ready-to-Publish
Case studies
Reuters Partners
Standards & values
Leadership team
Reuters Best
Webinars & online events

Around the globe, with unmatched speed and scale, Reuters Connect gives you the power to serve your audiences in a whole new way.

Reuters Plus, the commercial content studio at the heart of Reuters, builds campaign content that helps you to connect with your audiences in meaningful and hyper-targeted ways.

Reuters.com provides readers with a rich, immersive multimedia experience when accessing the latest fast-moving global news and in-depth reporting.

Reuters Media Center
Jurisdiction
Practice area
View all legal
Organization
View all tax

APIs by industry

Risk & Fraud APIs
Tax & Accounting APIs
Trade & Supply APIs

Use case library

Legal API use cases
Risk & Fraud API use cases
Tax & Accounting API use cases
Trade & Supply API use cases

Related sites

United states support.

Account help & support
Communities
Product help & support
Product training

International support

Legal UK, Ireland & Europe support

New releases

Westlaw Precision
1040 Quickfinder Handbook

Join a TR community

ONESOURCE community login
Checkpoint community login
CS community login
TR Community

Free trials & demos

Westlaw Edge
Practical Law
Checkpoint Edge
Onvio Firm Management
Proview eReader

How to do legal research in 3 steps

Knowing where to start a difficult legal research project can be a challenge. But if you already understand the basics of legal research, the process can be significantly easier — not to mention quicker.

Solid research skills are crucial to crafting a winning argument. So, whether you are a law school student or a seasoned attorney with years of experience, knowing how to perform legal research is important — including where to start and the steps to follow.

What is legal research, and where do I start?

Black's Law Dictionary defines legal research as “[t]he finding and assembling of authorities that bear on a question of law." But what does that actually mean? It means that legal research is the process you use to identify and find the laws — including statutes, regulations, and court opinions — that apply to the facts of your case.

In most instances, the purpose of legal research is to find support for a specific legal issue or decision. For example, attorneys must conduct legal research if they need court opinions — that is, case law — to back up a legal argument they are making in a motion or brief filed with the court.

Alternatively, lawyers may need legal research to provide clients with accurate legal guidance . In the case of law students, they often use legal research to complete memos and briefs for class. But these are just a few situations in which legal research is necessary.

Why is legal research hard?

Each step — from defining research questions to synthesizing findings — demands critical thinking and rigorous analysis.

1. Identifying the legal issue is not so straightforward. Legal research involves interpreting many legal precedents and theories to justify your questions. Finding the right issue takes time and patience.

2. There's too much to research. Attorneys now face a great deal of case law and statutory material. The sheer volume forces the researcher to be efficient by following a methodology based on a solid foundation of legal knowledge and principles.

3. The law is a fluid doctrine. It changes with time, and staying updated with the latest legal codes, precedents, and statutes means the most resourceful lawyer needs to assess the relevance and importance of new decisions.

Legal research can pose quite a challenge, but professionals can improve it at every stage of the process .

Step 1: Key questions to ask yourself when starting legal research

Before you begin looking for laws and court opinions, you first need to define the scope of your legal research project. There are several key questions you can use to help do this.

What are the facts?

Always gather the essential facts so you know the “who, what, why, when, where, and how” of your case. Take the time to write everything down, especially since you will likely need to include a statement of facts in an eventual filing or brief anyway. Even if you don't think a fact may be relevant now, write it down because it may be relevant later. These facts will also be helpful when identifying your legal issue.

What is the actual legal issue?

You will never know what to research if you don't know what your legal issue is. Does your client need help collecting money from an insurance company following a car accident involving a negligent driver? How about a criminal case involving excluding evidence found during an alleged illegal stop?

No matter the legal research project, you must identify the relevant legal problem and the outcome or relief sought. This information will guide your research so you can stay focused and on topic.

What is the relevant jurisdiction?

Don't cast your net too wide regarding legal research; you should focus on the relevant jurisdiction. For example, does your case deal with federal or state law? If it is state law, which state? You may find a case in California state court that is precisely on point, but it won't be beneficial if your legal project involves New York law.

Where to start legal research: The library, online, or even AI?

In years past, future attorneys were trained in law school to perform research in the library. But now, you can find almost everything from the library — and more — online. While you can certainly still use the library if you want, you will probably be costing yourself valuable time if you do.

When it comes to online research, some people start with free legal research options , including search engines like Google or Bing. But to ensure your legal research is comprehensive, you will want to use an online research service designed specifically for the law, such as Westlaw . Not only do online solutions like Westlaw have all the legal sources you need, but they also include artificial intelligence research features that help make quick work of your research

Step 2: How to find relevant case law and other primary sources of law

Now that you have gathered the facts and know your legal issue, the next step is knowing what to look for. After all, you will need the law to support your legal argument, whether providing guidance to a client or writing an internal memo, brief, or some other legal document.

But what type of law do you need? The answer: primary sources of law. Some of the more important types of primary law include:

Case law, which are court opinions or decisions issued by federal or state courts
Statutes, including legislation passed by both the U.S. Congress and state lawmakers
Regulations, including those issued by either federal or state agencies
Constitutions, both federal and state

Searching for primary sources of law

So, if it's primary law you want, it makes sense to begin searching there first, right? Not so fast. While you will need primary sources of law to support your case, in many instances, it is much easier — and a more efficient use of your time — to begin your search with secondary sources such as practice guides, treatises, and legal articles.

Why? Because secondary sources provide a thorough overview of legal topics, meaning you don't have to start your research from scratch. After secondary sources, you can move on to primary sources of law.

For example, while no two legal research projects are the same, the order in which you will want to search different types of sources may look something like this:

Secondary sources . If you are researching a new legal principle or an unfamiliar area of the law, the best place to start is secondary sources, including law journals, practice guides , legal encyclopedias, and treatises. They are a good jumping-off point for legal research since they've already done the work for you. As an added bonus, they can save you additional time since they often identify and cite important statutes and seminal cases.
Case law . If you have already found some case law in secondary sources, great, you have something to work with. But if not, don't fret. You can still search for relevant case law in a variety of ways, including running a search in a case law research tool.

Once you find a helpful case, you can use it to find others. For example, in Westlaw, most cases contain headnotes that summarize each of the case's important legal issues. These headnotes are also assigned a Key Number based on the topic associated with that legal issue. So, once you find a good case, you can use the headnotes and Key Numbers within it to quickly find more relevant case law.

Statutes and regulations . In many instances, secondary sources and case law list the statutes and regulations relevant to your legal issue. But if you haven't found anything yet, you can still search for statutes and regs online like you do with cases.

Once you know which statute or reg is pertinent to your case, pull up the annotated version on Westlaw. Why the annotated version? Because the annotations will include vital information, such as a list of important cases that cite your statute or reg. Sometimes, these cases are even organized by topic — just one more way to find the case law you need to support your legal argument.

Keep in mind, though, that legal research isn't always a linear process. You may start out going from source to source as outlined above and then find yourself needing to go back to secondary sources once you have a better grasp of the legal issue. In other instances, you may even find the answer you are looking for in a source not listed above, like a sample brief filed with the court by another attorney. Ultimately, you need to go where the information takes you.

Step 3: Make sure you are using ‘good’ law

One of the most important steps with every legal research project is to verify that you are using “good" law — meaning a court hasn't invalidated it or struck it down in some way. After all, it probably won't look good to a judge if you cite a case that has been overruled or use a statute deemed unconstitutional. It doesn't necessarily mean you can never cite these sources; you just need to take a closer look before you do.

The simplest way to find out if something is still good law is to use a legal tool known as a citator, which will show you subsequent cases that have cited your source as well as any negative history, including if it has been overruled, reversed, questioned, or merely differentiated.

For instance, if a case, statute, or regulation has any negative history — and therefore may no longer be good law — KeyCite, the citator on Westlaw, will warn you. Specifically, KeyCite will show a flag or icon at the top of the document, along with a little blurb about the negative history. This alert system allows you to quickly know if there may be anything you need to worry about.

Some examples of these flags and icons include:

A red flag on a case warns you it is no longer good for at least one point of law, meaning it may have been overruled or reversed on appeal.
A yellow flag on a case warns that it has some negative history but is not expressly overruled or reversed, meaning another court may have criticized it or pointed out the holding was limited to a specific fact pattern.
A blue-striped flag on a case warns you that it has been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court or the U.S. Court of Appeals.
The KeyCite Overruling Risk icon on a case warns you that the case may be implicitly undermined because it relies on another case that has been overruled.

Another bonus of using a citator like KeyCite is that it also provides a list of other cases that merely cite your source — it can lead to additional sources you previously didn't know about.

Perseverance is vital when it comes to legal research

Given that legal research is a complex process, it will likely come as no surprise that this guide cannot provide everything you need to know.

There is a reason why there are entire law school courses and countless books focused solely on legal research methodology. In fact, many attorneys will spend their entire careers honing their research skills — and even then, they may not have perfected the process.

So, if you are just beginning, don't get discouraged if you find legal research difficult — almost everyone does at first. With enough time, patience, and dedication, you can master the art of legal research.

Thomson Reuters originally published this article on November 10, 2020.

Related insights

Westlaw tip of the week: Checking cases with KeyCite

Why legislative history matters when crafting a winning argument

Case law research tools: The most useful free and paid offerings

Request a trial and experience the fastest way to find what you need

University of Wisconsin Law Library Research Guides

Uw-madison libraries research guides.

Course Guides
Subject Guides
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Guides
Researching Legal Topics

Choosing a Topic

Researching legal topics : choosing a topic.

10 fundamental Skills for Lawyers
Tips for Legal Research
Research Strategies
And More Research Tips
Legal Search Engines
Legal Sites
Other Library Research Guides
Preemptive Check
Secondary Resources: Books
Secondary Resources: Legal Journals & News Sources
Legal Databases
Government Documents
Statistics/Empirical Research
Staying Current
Legal Citation Guides
Avoiding Plagiarism
Writing & Organizing Tools

Law Librarian

Ask a Librarian

Check current news sources, legal blogs, and newspapers for articles that discuss current legal issues to find a topic you are interested in researching for a writing project. For example, legal topics trending today are climate change or global warming, net neutrality, sports law, voting rights, same-sex marriage, water law, technology transfer, education, student loans, and wealth inequality.

United States Law Week (Bloomberg Law) U.S. Law Week Summary and Analysis section can be used as a guide to current legal trends. Try "circuit splits" under "key features" for legal issues that are being debated in the courts.
Newspaper Source Plus Check major newspapers for stories that raise legal issues.
Lexis - ALLNWS The ALLNWS file is a group file containing all of the separately searchable online legal newspaper, magazine, and newsletter files. more... less... You will need to enter your Lexis password and create your own search string for this database.
Newspapers This guide describes sources for current and historical newspapers available in print, electronically, and on microfilm through the UW-Madison Libraries. These sources are categorized: Current, Historical, Local/Madison, Wisconsin, US, Alternative/Ethnic, and International
<< Previous: Finding a Topic
Next: Legal Search Engines >>
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2024 3:18 PM
URL: https://researchguides.library.wisc.edu/legaltopics

Research Paper Guides
Research Paper Topics

230 Law Research Paper Topics to Write About

Speech Topics
Basics of Essay Writing
Essay Topics
Other Essays
Main Academic Essays
Basics of Research Paper Writing
Miscellaneous
Chicago/ Turabian
Data & Statistics
Methodology
Admission Writing Tips
Admission Advice
Other Guides
Student Life
Studying Tips
Understanding Plagiarism
Academic Writing Tips
Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

Essay Guides
Formatting Guides
Basics of Research Process
Admission Guides
Dissertation & Thesis Guides

230 Law Research Paper Topics to Write About

Table of contents

Use our free Readability checker

When it comes to legal topics for research papers, students have plenty of options. Whether you're interested in exploring issues related to criminal, corporate, or constitutional law, there are many topics from which you can choose. The first step is the selection of a subject that you find exciting and engaging. This part will provide the foundation for excellent law research paper topics. Students need to understand law topics they can work on by exploring what a perfect legal research topic covers. In this article by our law essay writing service , we provide engaging, easy, unique, and trending legal topics to help you choose one which fits your interests. We have also classified different legal topics into their respective branches: business, banking, finance, civil rights, constitutional, corporate, criminal, international, education, immigration, entertainment, employment, family, environmental and animal laws. This post will act as a stepping stone to writing a successful paper in any of these legal fields. Let us begin by understanding legal research paper topics.

What Are Legal Research Paper Topics

Legal research paper topics focus on analyzing and interpreting laws and their historical development. The papers will look into legal issues, including constitutional, criminal, civil rights, labor, international, and environmental laws. These topics can provide an exciting and essential lens through which you can analyze and discuss various policies. Such knowledge is crucial in helping students identify changes that a country has gone through over time, develop an understanding of the legal system, and build solid arguments on legal issues. You will need to identify how to select a topic for your paper, which is why our professional paper writers suggest searching for legal topics for research paper thoroughly before you begin writing.

What Makes a Good Legal Research Topic?

Good law research paper topics can be framed around a legal issue, case study, or legislative development. You want to select an excellent legal research topic that meets the following criteria:

Relevance: The topic should be relevant to current events, policies, or practices.
Uniqueness: Choose a unique and interesting topic so your research will stand out from the rest.
Manageable scope: Ensure you select an area with adequate learning resources for the intended project.
Accessibility: Ensure that you can easily access resources related to the topic.
Practicality: Select a topic that can be applied to real-world scenarios.
Clarity of purpose: Identify the goal of your research and make sure your chosen topic aligns with it.
Accountability: Choose a topic where research results can be verified and replicated.
Sustainability: Consider the long-term implications of the chosen topic to ensure it will be relevant in the future.

How to Choose Topics in Law?

In the process of selecting law topics , it is essential to consider a personal purpose for which you are writing. For example, are you looking to inform, explore, or argue a position? Once you have identified the goal, you can choose an appropriate topic more easily.

Step 1: Start familiarizing yourself with relevant acts and legislations as well as legal concepts through internet and library research. This will help you narrow your focus while identifying a potential topic.

Step 2: Do extensive research to determine current legal issues related to your topic. Use various sources such as books, newspapers, magazines, websites, databases, etc.

Step 3: Make sure you select an area or concept that is manageable in scope and has enough resources for your intended project.

Step 4: Think of how you can make your topic more exciting or unique. Questions that should be considered include "What point of view could I take?" or "How can I approach the topic differently?"

Step 5: Brainstorm and develop a list of possible law research topics to choose from. Once you have identified several potential issues, evaluate them based on your research to determine which topic you should select.

Properly following these steps, you can find a good law research paper topic that is interesting and relevant to the specific field. In case you require expert assistance with the writing process upon topic selection, feel free to approach our academic writing service. Our writers are well-versed in different fields, including law, and can produce outstanding studies upon ‘ write my research paper for me ’ request.

Law Research Paper Topics

Law project topics allow students to choose from matters related to legal issues. These topics are often comprehensive in scope and require extensive research for the student to make a convincing argument in their papers. Look at this list of potential law research paper topics that students can use to write their essays:

Right of self-defense in the United States.
Immigration regulations and their impact on society.
Use of DNA evidence in criminal justice systems.
Anti-discrimination regulations in different countries.
Intellectual property rights protection in the digital age.
Cybercrime and its impact on businesses.
Impact of tax laws on companies.
Freedom of expression in the media.
Juvenile justice: a comparison across different countries.
Corporate social responsibility and its effect on business reputation.
Human rights versus national security.
Use of technology in law enforcement.
International trade and its impact on globalization.
Social media censorship regulations.
Human trafficking as a modern form of slavery.

Interesting Legal Topics

Different students have different interests, and legal topics are no exception. Your own ideas can be an excellent starting point for you to decide which path to take for the research. Below are some interesting law topics we have written for you to choose from:

Worldwide legal systems: structures, history, principles, and processes.
Legal theory and its implications in genetics.
Legal developments in technology, including implications and trends.
Legal concepts between countries, including similarities and differences in systems and principles.
Legal effects in cyber security and liabilities associated with data protection.
Legal issues related to gender equality.
Legal developments in international human rights and legal obligations.
Legal frameworks and regulations governing environmental protection.
Legal issues related to corporate governance and protections for shareholders.
Developments in labor laws , including theories of worker protection.
Legal frameworks driving international trade and underlying economic regulation principles.
Legal concepts related to intellectual property and rewards for innovators.
Legal issues pertaining to constitutional regulations and implications of executive power.
Legal developments in taxation and obligations concerning taxes imposed by the government.
Theories developed through legal precedents and decisions from various jurisdictions.

Unique Law Research Topic

Uniqueness is everything for students in research papers since an outstanding topic can be a stepping stone to scoring high grades. If you are looking for law paper topics that will grab your reader's attention while still attracting the professor's interest, look no further. We have compiled a list of 15 unique topics for law research paper as an easy way to get you started:

The impact of corporate social responsibility in legal settings.
Online privacy and cybersecurity: challenges and regulations.
Legal implications of artificial intelligence development.
The role of cybercrime in a digital age.
An analysis of international human rights policies.
Environmental regulations and their implications for global sustainability.
The importance of the fourth amendment in the United States constitution.
An analysis of the impact of tax laws on businesses.
The role of technology in criminal law enforcement.
Exploring the implications of intellectual property laws.
The use of social media and its effects on privacy rules and regulations.
Regulations governing cryptocurrency markets.
Data protection regulations: a global analysis.
Drug regulations and their impact on society.
Exploring the role of international humanitarian code in conflict resolution.

These topics will surely get you started on an intriguing research paper! With their help, you will write a captivating essay to engage and inform your readers.

Easy Legal Topics for Research Papers

Choosing easy legal paper topics can help you develop a practical as well as an efficient research paper for your studies. However, students studying law-related courses can find it challenging to pick suitable legal topics for research paper. To make this task easier, here are some issues you can choose from to write an excellent law paper:

Should the death penalty be banned?
Acts regulating cyber crime.
The right to privacy and digital security.
Legal principles of animal protection.
The role of the U.S. justice system in protecting the mentally ill.
The impact of international conventions on national laws.
Freedom of expression and censorship issues.
Defining hate speech.
Access to authorized services for underprivileged groups.
Is domestic violence a private matter or a public issue?
Drug abuse among juveniles and the role of the justice system.
Ethical issues in medical law.
Laws affecting refugees and asylum seekers.
Human rights violations in war-torn countries.
Efforts by the legal system to counter cybercrime.

Best Legal Research Topics in Different Law Branches

Law has a range of branches from which students can select ideas for their papers. Legal research topics for law students can be pretty challenging, especially when your professor requires you to tackle a topic in a specific branch. Branches for law topics to use in legal research paper highlighted in this blog include laws in business, banking and finance, civil rights, constitutional, corporate, criminal, international, immigration, education, entertainment, employment, family, environmental, and animal law topics. See below for the specialized categories of law topics for essays.

Business Law Topics for Research Papers

Business law forms the foundation for modern legal studies, providing frameworks that govern businesses and corporate operations. The business law research paper topics you select should be highly relevant to business and legal frameworks. Here are some legal topics to write about:

Different business contracts and their legal implications.
Business strategies for protecting intangible property rights.
The role of corporate boards in business decision-making processes.
Code of conduct for federal employees: rights and responsibilities.
Businesses' responsibilities in recognizing as well as enforcing collective bargaining agreements.
Business regulations limiting companies' ability to engage in anti-competitive practices.
Legal considerations for corporate consolidation business deals.
Business regulations when conducting business across borders.
The moral implications of business decisions and policies.
The importance of business regulations for organizations and institutions.

Find more business law topics for research paper by browsing one more blog.

Banking and Finance Law Topics

The banking sector is crucial for our economic system, and banking laws are vital to its proper functioning. Banks and financial organizations help us store, exchange, and manage money, and students in the banking and finance law field learn the regulations governing these activities. Let us look at these ten banking and finance law research topics that you can choose from:

The impact of new technologies on financial regulations.
Regulatory responses to banking crises around the world.
How usury laws affect interest rates and redit accessibility.
An analysis of recent bank mergers and aquisitions.
Investigating a link between financial stability and monetary policy.
An analysis of banking secrecy laws in different countries.
The impact of money laundering regulations on financial systems.
How terrorism financing regulations affect bank security.
A comparative study of consumer protection laws in banking systems.
Examining the effects of tax havens on the global banking system.

>> View more: Financial Research Topics

Civil Rights Topics of Law

The civil rights movement and the laws that followed have had a lasting impact on our lives today. Many of these issues remain relevant, so it is essential to research civil rights topics better to understand the complexities as well as implications of civil rights. Here are ten civil rights research paper topics to help you get started:

The civil rights movement and its legacy.
The role of civil disobedience in civil rights reform.
Voting rights and racial discrimination.
Education equality through civil rights regulations.
Limitations to civil liberties within the bill of rights.
Civil rights protection for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Immigration laws and civil rights violations.
Racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
Women's civil rights issues.
The role of civil engagement in civil rights reform.

Constitutional Law Research Paper Topics

Constitutional law is a complex and fascinating field of study that examines how constitutional rights are enforced, interpreted, as well as applied in different jurisdictions. Provided legal essay topics are an excellent starting point. If you're looking for constitutional law topics for research papers to write about, here are some ideas to get you started:

The role of the Supreme Court in protecting constitutional rights.
How states can limit constitutional rights and the applicability of constitutional principles to state regulations.
The implications of constitutional amendments on protection for vulnerable populations.
Examine the constitutional right to privacy in relation to technology and data collection practices.
The constitutional framework for constitutional protections of religious freedom.
The protection of constitutional rights in the context of police searches and seizures.
An analysis of constitutional laws regarding the right to bear arms and gun control regulations across different states.
Examine constitutional protections for freedom of speech and the implications of hate speech laws.
The constitutional framework for reproductive rights, including access to abortion services.
An exploration of constitutional regulations on voting rights and electoral integrity in different jurisdictions.

Combine this area with some historical facts for example. History research paper topics that we created for students may help.

Corporate Law Paper Topics

Research in corporate law can provide insight into the structure that shapes corporate entities, their operations, as well as corporate accountability. Here are ten corporate law research paper topics to consider for your next research project:

How does corporate social responsibility (CSR) affect corporate performance?
What systems are in place to ensure corporate accountability?
Impact of financial regulation on corporate compliance and risk management.
The legal implications of corporate mergers & acquisitions activities.
Role of contract laws in governing corporate agreements.
How does corporate tax law influence corporate decisions?
Legal protections for corporate I.P. rights.
Types of corporate fraud and misconduct and available remedies.
Corporate law considerations for multinational corporate entities.
Corporate securities regulation and its implications for corporate activity.

Criminal Law Topics for Essays

Criminal law focuses on studying the implications of criminal behavior and activities. These law research paper topics list can help you find a clear direction for criminal essays. Criminologists in practice and students can choose from the list of legal topics for essay we have outlined below:

Criminal justice reform impact on indigenous people.
How does the justice system treat people of different backgrounds and identity?
Impact of immigration on criminal activity.
Cybercrime: an analysis of law enforcement practices.
Exploring sentencing policies for juvenile offenders.
Assessing the effectiveness of restorative justice processes.
Defense strategies in criminal trials.
Role of media representations in shaping perceptions of crime.
Future of capital punishment as a deterrent for serious crimes.
The impact of dna technologies on criminal investigations and prosecutions.

>> Read more: Criminal Justice Research Paper Topics

International Law Research Topics

You can brainstorm different legal research questions from the branch of international law to help you choose one to focus on. This field covers international agreements, organizations, dispute resolution, as well as criminal justice issues. This makes it a wide-ranging body of research with many potential areas of study. Here are ten international topics for research papers to consider:

The impact of globalization on international trade.
How do international organizations contribute to peacekeeping and conflict resolution?
How the law of the sea affects maritime disputes.
How do international regulations protect global environmental resources?
Organizations' role in establishing international legal norms.
Legal obligations ensuring fair international trade.
Laws and their role in addressing international criminal activity.
Challenges arising from attempts to enforce international law in the developing countries.
What is the importance of international law?
Laws providing international protection to refugees.

Immigration Law Topics for Research Paper

Globalization has helped create a diverse population in many countries but intensified immigration. Exploring the following law research paper ideas will help you pick a good topic for your paper. Here are ten immigration law research paper topics to get you started:

Immigration law and human rights.
Challenges of establishing immigration regulations in the U.S.
Immigration policy role in fighting terrorism.
Unauthorized immigrants' impact on local economies.
Refugee protection under international law .
Family-based immigration policies.
Challenges faced by immigrant students in K-12 education.
The legality of immigration detention.
Rights and responsibilities of undocumented workers.
Impact of immigration regulations impact on national security.

Education Law Topics for Legal Research Papers

The legal field of education examines issues related to educational institutions as well as students themselves. It covers student rights, teacher/staff responsibilities, disciplinary procedures, school safety, harassment, and funding. You will definitely find education law fascinating after reading through these topics, which also gives you a chance to choose one topic that interests you most. Here are ten legal writing topics to explore in this field:

The legal rights of school administrators and teachers.
Student legal rights in disciplinary actions.
Legal requirements for special education students.
Parental legal rights and responsibilities in school matters.
Legal aspects of student privacy issues in classrooms and online.
Legal issues related to the use of technology in schools.
Legal issues related to school safety and security.
Legal implications of religious expression in public schools.
Legal aspects of the No Child Left Behind act.
Legal requirements for student access to educational resources.

There is one more blog in our library that will provide you with more ideas in this field. Browse different research questions on education and come up with something interesting.

Entertainment Law Research Topics

Entertainment law covers the connection between entertainment, intellectual property rights, and business. Students need to have several law research paper topic ideas to explore legal issues surrounding entertainment. Here are ten entertainment law essay topics to explore:

Impact of digital music streaming on copyright rules and regulations.
Importance of privacy rights in social media.
Legal implications of celebrity endorsements.
Overview of film production agreements.
Music publishers' role in the entertainment industry.
A study of intellectual property rights and the impact on organizational creativity.
Regulation of online gaming platforms from a legal perspective.
Role of trademark regulation in sports broadcasting.
How to protect a brand in entertainment industry from unauthorized use.
Consumer protection laws and their impact on the music industry.

Employment Law Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper on employment law provides an opportunity to explore current areas related to employment rights and responsibilities. The following are some potential employment law paper topics:

The history and development of employment regulation in the U.S.
Employment discrimination laws and their efficacy in reducing workplace discrimination.
How employment laws affect contract negotiations.
A comparison between employment regulations in the united states and other countries.
State employment rules and their impact on employment practices.
Legal implications of employment-at-will.
Employment law and the impact of recent employment legislation.
How employment code have changed over time to address employment disputes.
The relationship between employment law and employment unions.
How employment regulations have evolved to address remote employment arrangements.

Family Law Legal Topics to Write About

In everyday life, family law deals with relationships between family members, including marriage, adoption, and child custody. It covers various issues, from divorce to prenuptial agreements. If you are looking for legal topics for research paper in family law to write about, here are some suggestions:

Legal process of adoption and its implications.
Parent's rights in a divorce.
Legal aspects of prenuptial agreements.
Post-divorce legal issues: alimony, child custody, and visitation rights.
Regulations governing surrogacy and assisted reproductive technology.
Financial responsibilities during a divorce or separation.
Legal rights of same-sex couples in adoption and divorce.
Legal implications of domestic abuse.
Grandparent visitation rights after divorce.
Legal process of estate planning and inheritance in family law cases.

Environmental Law Research Paper Topics

Environmental law focuses on studying as well as implementing important environmental regulations, such as pollution control or wildlife conservation. These environmental research paper topics can guide writing an essay that will definitely help you get a good grade. Here are ten potential legal research paper topics to explore in this field:

Global warming: legal implications in developed countries.
Environmental regulations impact on private property.
An analysis of the EPA's regulation of air quality.
International regulations role in combating marine pollution.
An examination of endangered species legislation.
A comparison between the U.S. and E.U. environmental regulations.
Economic implications of carbon taxes.
An evaluation of international efforts to combat climate change.
A study of U.S. environmental regulations and their impact on businesses.
The use of international courts for resolving disputes related to the environment.

Animal Law Topics to Research

Animal law is increasingly gaining attention as animal rights lawyers and activists fight for recognition in the justice system. We consider animals an essential part of nature, and their protection has become vital. With this growing interest, research papers are becoming more popular among students as well as animal advocates. To help you get started on your animal law research paper topics, here is a list to explore:

Animal sentience and its implications for animal law.
Legal recognition of animal rights.
Current status of animal welfare practices in the U.S.
International animal protection laws and regulations.
Judicial decisions on an animal cruelty case.
Effectiveness of animal rights advocacy groups.
Animal experimentation: ethical considerations and legal implications.
What is the impact of the animal rights movement on society?
The role of animal law in environmental protection.
Animal hoarding and the legal consequences of owning multiple animals.

Final Thoughts on Law & Legal Topics for Research Papers

When it comes to legal research paper topics, there is no shortage of ideas. From criminal and civil laws to international issues, the legal field presents a wide range of potential topics for your research paper. Be sure to narrow down your topic to ensure that you can adequately cover the issue you are writing about in your essay. Additionally, consulting resources, including scholarly articles, is important as you conduct your research. Doing so will help ensure that your paper provides adequate as well as accurate information. With the right law research topic, you can write an effective as well as engaging essay to help you stand out in the profession.

Contact our professional writing service and get help with research paper writing from academic pros. Our experts have solid experience in academic writing and always deliver papers beyond expectations.

Joe Eckel is an expert on Dissertations writing. He makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.

Supreme Court Imperils an Array of Federal Rules

A foundational 1984 decision required courts to defer to agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutes, underpinning regulations on health care, safety and the environment.

Share full article

Adam Liptak

Reporting on the Supreme Court since 2008

The decision is the latest upending longstanding precedents.

The Supreme Court swept aside a longstanding legal precedent on Friday, reducing the power of executive agencies and endangering countless regulations by transferring power from the executive branch to Congress and the courts. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., writing for the majority, said that “agencies have no special competence” and that judges should determine the meaning of federal laws.

The precedent, Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council , is one of the most cited in American law, underpinning 70 Supreme Court decisions and roughly 17,000 in the lower courts. Critics of regulatory authority immediately hailed the decision, suggesting it could open new avenues to challenge federal rules in areas ranging from abortion pills to the environment.

The court has now overturned major precedents in each of the last three terms: on abortion in 2022, on affirmative action in 2023 and now on the power of administrative agencies. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Elena Kagan said the ruling amounted to the Supreme Court’s latest judicial power grab. “A rule of judicial humility,” she wrote, “gives way to a rule of judicial hubris.”

Here’s what else to know:

What is Chevron deference? It is the principle from the Supreme Court’s 1984 ruling that gave regulatory agencies leeway to interpret laws that Congress had left vague. When Congress passes a law, it cannot anticipate all the ways that the economy, the nation and the world will change. If regulators had only the powers that Congress explicitly gave them, many regulations would be vulnerable to legal challenges. The ruling could have broad implications for the regulation of food and drugs , the banking and financial sector , taxation , as well as conservative activists’ targeting of medication abortion and rights for transgender people .

A major goal of the conservative legal movement: Friday’s ruling undoes a precedent that empowered executive branch agencies, which many conservatives have come to believe are dominated by liberals under both parties’ administrations — a critique often described as “the deep state.” Elizabeth Murrill, the Republican attorney general of Louisiana who has taken a leading role in lawsuits against the Biden administration’s environmental regulations, said Chevron deference had been “wildly abused by this administration more than any other.” Read about conservatives’ view of the precedent.

The White House reaction: Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said Friday’s decision was the latest example of the Supreme Court siding with Republican-backed special interests to block “common-sense rules that keep us safe, protect our health and environment, safeguard our financial system, and support American consumers and workers.”

Supporters of regulatory oversight criticized the decision: Critics of the decision said it would empower the courts, not Congress, to dictate policy. “Getting rid of Chevron deference says, you know what? The courts will be the decider of how to interpret these laws instead of experts who are knowledgeable in the field,” said Senator Jeff Merkley, Democrat of Oregon, who sits on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

The case started with fishermen: The court heard two almost identical cases, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, and Relentless v. Department of Commerce. Both cases involved a 1976 federal law that requires herring boats to carry federal observers to collect data used to prevent overfishing.

Under a 2020 regulation interpreting the law, owners of the boats were required not only to transport the observers but also to pay $700 a day for their oversight. Fishermen in New Jersey and Rhode Island — backed by two conservative organizations that decry the “administrative state” — sued, saying the 1976 law did not authorize the relevant agency, the National Marine Fisheries Service, to impose the fee.

Charlie Savage

The decision is the latest blow to regulatory agencies.

Overturning the Chevron deference precedent is just the latest in a series of ringing blows the Supreme Court’s Republican-appointed conservative bloc has delivered to the ability of regulatory agencies to impose rules on powerful business interests, advancing a longstanding goal of the conservative legal movement and the donors who have funded its rise .

Just yesterday, the majority struck down the ability of agencies to enforce their rules via in-house tribunals before technical-expert administrative judges. Instead, it ruled, agencies must sue accused malefactors in federal court before juries.

Advancing and entrenching that idea, the court has struck down an E.P.A. rule aimed at limiting carbon pollution from power plants , and barred the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from telling large employers they must either have their workers vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus or have them undergo frequent testing.

And in a 2020 ruling , the five Republican appointees then on the Supreme Court struck down a provision of the law Congress enacted to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that had protected its head from being fired by a president without a good cause, like misconduct.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said Friday’s decision was the latest example of the Supreme Court blocking “common-sense rules that keep us safe, protect our health and environment, safeguard our financial system, and support American consumers and workers.”

The court has not always gone as far as libertarians wanted, however. Earlier this term, the court rejected a challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded. Striking it down would have opened the door to lawsuits to nullify every regulation and enforcement action it has taken in its 13 years of existence, including ones concerning mortgages, credit cards, consumer loans and banking.

While overturning Chevron is now the capstone victory for the conservative legal movement’s assault on the administrative state, it may not be the end of the story. More extreme opponents of regulation hope the court will someday embrace a sweeping version of the so-called nondelegation doctrine.

Under that vision, the Constitution does not allow Congress to delegate any of its legislative authority to executive branch agencies. If so, all regulations should be struck down because the only way society can impose a legally binding rule on business interests is if Congress manages to specifically enact one via statute.

Read the Court’s Decision to Overrule the Chevron Doctrine

The ruling sweeps aside a legal precedent that required courts to defer to the expertise of federal administrators in carrying out laws passed by Congress.

Deborah B. Solomon

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, called the Supreme Court’s ruling “another deeply troubling decision that takes our country backwards” and the latest decision by the court to side with Republican-backed special interests and block commonsense rules on health, the enviroment and worker protection.

She said in a statement that President Biden had directed his legal team to work with the Justice Department and other lawyers “to review today’s decision carefully and ensure that our administration is doing everything we can to continue to deploy the extraordinary expertise of the federal workforce to keep Americans safe and ensure communities thrive and prosper.”

Coral Davenport

The Chevron decision is the latest major blow in a yearslong coordinated strategy to weaken the authority of what conservative activists call the “administrative state.” One big step came two years ago, with the Supreme Court decision in West Virginia vs. E.P.A., sharply curtailing the agency’s authority to regulate climate-warming pollution from power plants. That ruling essentially told regulators to stay in their lane and not attempt broader interpretations of the law.

The Chevron decision advances that precedent, essentially applying it to all regulations, large and small. Together, experts say that the two rulings could mean that more government regulations are struck down or scaled back by the courts, and that government agencies could be more timid or restrained in writing new rules.

Christina Jewett

Utah geared up for a fight in anticipation of the court’s ruling.

The possibility of new limits on the regulatory power of the federal government had already spurred one state to identify regulations ripe for a challenge.

A law passed in Utah directs agriculture and environmental agencies to identify federal rules carried out in the state that might be vulnerable under a ruling that limits the Chevron precedent. The analyses are due at the start of 2025 and the law says the state attorney general will issue his own report by midyear to declare his plans for possible lawsuits.

Sean D. Reyes, the Utah attorney general, has made well known his distaste for the Chevron precedent, which gives federal agencies leeway to interpret laws that Congress left vague. In a news release, he called the standard “one of the greatest threats to individual liberty.”

“For far too long, it has been wielded by big government proponents, unaccountable federal bureaucrats, and activist courts to destroy the freedoms of hard-working Americans and rob local control from our states,” he said in a statement in August.

Mr. Reyes signed on with about two dozen other Republican attorneys general to a friend-of-the-court brief decrying the onus on small businesses, the vast costs and the volume of regulations, which they said vastly outpace the number of laws passed by Congress, though that has been on a downward trend for decades.

Utah is not entirely alone in its war room crouch, said Gary Feldon, an attorney with Hollingsworth who noted Utah’s work in a recent article anticipating the ruling.

“I don’t know that anybody is doing it quite as systemically as the state of Utah seems to be, but industry and businesses are certainly aware that we are on the edge of a major shift,” Mr. Feldon said. “And the savvy among them are making sure that they’re in position to take advantage of it now.”

In addition to cutting back on the power of executive agencies, the Supreme Court on Friday issued decisions in two other closely watched cases: upholding a city’s laws aimed at banning homeless residents from sleeping outdoors and ruling that federal prosecutors had overstepped in using an obstruction law to prosecute a Jan. 6 rioter .

Teddy Rosenbluth and Roni Caryn Rabin

The ruling is likely to stymie public health initiatives, experts said.

The Supreme Court decision overturning the so-called Chevron doctrine is likely to hamstring the federal government’s public health efforts and invite waves of litigation from parties opposed to regulations aimed at safeguarding Americans, scientific and legal experts said.

By gutting federal agencies’ power to interpret ambiguous laws and fill in gaps in statutes, forcing them instead to defer to protracted judicial or legislative processes, the ruling also could prevent regulators from acting quickly and creatively in the face of a catastrophic emergency, such as climate change or another deadly pandemic.

“We anticipate that today’s ruling will cause significant disruption to publicly funded health insurance programs, to the stability of this country’s health care and food and drug review systems, and to the health and well-being of the patients and consumers we serve,” several of the nation’s largest health organizations, including the American Public Health Association and the American Cancer Society, said in a joint statement on Friday.

Federal officials will feel a “chilling effect” that will slow regulations in areas in which they do not have explicit authority, said Dr. Reshma Ramachandran, co-director of the Yale Collaboration for Regulatory Rigor, Integrity and Transparency, an initiative that studies medical product evaluations and coverage in order to improve patient outcomes.

Instead of hiring more scientific and technological experts, federal agencies will have to arm themselves with lawyers, she predicted.

Zachary L. Baron, director of the Health Policy and the Law Initiative at the O’Neill Institute at Georgetown Law in Washington, said one result of the ruling “is likely to be an increase in litigation and an increase in uncertainty.”

“It seems like, as Justice Kagan wrote in her dissent, the court is flipping the script today, giving more authority to courts and judges and less authority to federal agencies and the expertise that they have,” Mr. Baron said.

Today’s ruling is one in a string of court decisions in recent years in which the court has given itself “more and more power over every significant policy dispute, and closing the door on agency experts that have been working on these issues for years,” he said.

Indeed, Justice Elena Kagan’s dissent offered an example of the type of detailed scientific question judges may now face in court: When does an alpha amino acid polymer qualify as a protein?

“I don’t know many judges who would feel confident resolving that issue,” she wrote. “(First question: What even is an alpha amino acid polymer?)”

The Food and Drug Administration, she added, has scores of experts who could “collaborate with each other on its finer points, and arrive at a sensible answer.”

The Chevron doctrine has its roots in public health: a 1984 Supreme Court case involving air pollution. At issue was the Environmental Protection Agency’s interpretation of an ambiguous provision in the Clean Air Act that affected companies subject to pollution controls.

The court determined that federal agencies should receive “deference” for reasonable interpretations of gaps or ambiguities in the statutes that Congress could not have anticipated when it crafted the laws.

The court gave federal agencies leeway because of their subject matter and scientific expertise, experience and political accountability.

Now that this authority has been curtailed, public health agencies simply may regulate less, a goal long sought by proponents of a smaller federal government and companies eager to pursue unfettered growth.

“If agencies know that everything they do that is not perfectly aligned with a statute will be scrutinized by the court, they will be less likely to promulgate expansive rules or swift rules,” said Selina Coleman, a health care partner at Reed Smith, a large law firm.

Other experts also predicted an explosion in litigation and uncertainty. The ruling will “signal to industry and aggressive state attorneys general to open the floodgates to more litigation to block federal regulatory efforts,” Mr. Baron said.

Moving public health decisions from federal agencies to Congress and the courts will lead to “incoherence, chaos and endless litigation,” said Paul Billings, national senior vice president of public policy at the American Lung Association.

The Supreme Court and lower courts have already chipped away at the authority of regulatory bodies to make public health decisions. Many such rulings were handed down during the coronavirus pandemic.

In November 2021, the Supreme Court upheld an injunction that barred the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from enforcing a national moratorium on evictions from rental housing, despite fears that a wave of such displacements would exacerbate the spread of Covid-19.

In January 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration could not require large businesses to vaccinate their employees against Covid. In April 2022, a federal judge in Florida struck down a C.D.C. mandate that required passengers to wear masks on public buses, trains and planes.

Today’s Supreme Court decision will task Congress with spelling out exactly what agencies like the C.D.C. can and cannot do, several observers said. “Nobody has any confidence that Congress can get its act together to do that,” said Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.

“I think the decision as written solidifies employment for lawyers and judges, and undermines the authority of experts,” he added.

Other scientists also expressed doubt that Congress or the judiciary could remain abreast of constantly evolving scientific evidence. “To keep up with that pace of change, even for a medical or scientific professional, is very challenging,” said Karen Knudsen, chief executive of the American Cancer Society.

Consumer advocates are calling the decision a travesty that could upend the rules and regulations Americans depend upon for their safety.

“It’s going to affect everything from airbags in peoples’ cars to the quality of the food they feed their families and the water they drink,” said Stephen Hall, legal director of Better Markets, which pushes for tougher regulation. “This decision threatens to return the United States to the 1910s when the government had very limited ability to protect the health, safety, and welfare of America.”

Alan Rappeport

The ruling could undermine the Treasury Department and the I.R.S.

The Supreme Court’s knockdown of Chevron deference could complicate the ability of the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service to craft federal regulations that are central to President Biden’s economic agenda.

The Treasury Department is responsible for implementing major pieces of legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act, including determining who qualifies for billions of dollars worth of tax credits. At the same time, the I.R.S. has vast leeway to administer the tax code. The agency has faced criticism recently for its decision to halt some pandemic relief tax credits to businesses because of concerns about fraud and delaying collection of new taxes on digital wallet transactions.

“Taxpayers are likely to challenge the validity of dozens of tax regulations and those challenges are much more likely to prevail,” said Robert J. Kovacev, a lawyer at the firm Miller & Chevalier who specializes in tax litigation and represents businesses engaged in disputes with the tax agency. “For years the I.R.S. has issued regulations expanding its power and restricting tax benefits that Congress intended taxpayers to receive.”

The ruling will also present new challenges as the Biden administration rolls out its alternative energy credit regulations, Mr. Kovacev said, because the I.R.S. will not be able to take for granted that courts will defer to its regulations.

The Tax Policy Center said in an analysis last fall that such a Supreme Court decision would make it harder for an agency such as the I.R.S. to write rules to address industries that are quickly evolving, such as cryptocurrencies, and that it would be more difficult to fill in the gaps for Congress when lawmakers rush to write tax legislation.

Critics of the tax agency said on Friday expressed optimism the ruling would limit its powers.

“Today’s decision will level the playing field for taxpayers and government agencies,” said Joe Bishop-Henchman, executive vice president at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. “Unreasonable I.R.S. interpretations will no longer automatically win in court, which is as it should be, and reasonable interpretations will still have the force of law.”

Treasury Department and the I.R.S. did not immediately have a comment.

Former top Trump officials are gloating about the overturning of the Chevron doctrine. Mandy Gunasekara, who served as chief of staff at the E.P.A. during the Trump administration and has helped write Project 2025 , a policy blueprint for a next Republican administration, wrote on the social media site X, that the era of “trust the experts” had ended. She called it a “great day for our constitutional integrity and the American people.”

Chris Cameron

House Republican leadership praised the Supreme Court ending the Chevron doctrine. “House Republican committees will be conducting oversight to ensure agencies follow the Court’s ruling,” Speaker Mike Johnson wrote in a joint statement with Representatives Steve Scalise and Tom Emmer.

Elizabeth Dias

Conservative Christian activists see Chevron as major win to push their causes.

Conservative Christian activists and lawyers are celebrating the Chevron decision as a significant win for their ambitions to target medication abortion and rights for transgender people.

Anti-abortion activists see the ruling as a critical tool to fight the Food and Drug Administration, especially after the court rejected their bid to undo the F.D.A.’s approval of a medication abortion drug earlier in June. “Getting rid of Chevron is the first domino to fall,” Kristi Hamrick, a strategist for Students for Life, said in a statement.

They see the decision as a new precedent as they seek to bring a future case against the F.D.A. to the Supreme Court. Ms. Hamrick said such a case was likely to get a better reception “when the F.D.A. is no longer given the benefit of the doubt.”

The Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative Christian legal advocacy group that argued against the F.D.A.’s approval of the abortion pill and lost, also praised the ruling.

Federal agencies “frequently disrespect Americans’ most cherished principles — including religious freedom and the sanctity of life,” said Julie Marie Blake, senior counsel at A.D.F. “Now, the court has wiped away a major roadblock that prevented Americans from holding government officials accountable.”

A.D.F. had filed an amicus brief in the case on behalf of Christian Employers Alliance, a group that defends freedoms for Christian businesses. The brief criticized a range of federal agencies, including the Department of Education and Health and Human Services, for what it said was the agencies’ efforts on “ending women’s sports” to imposing “radical gender ideology” to “forcing employers to pay for puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and amputating healthy organs.”

Now, the brief’s argument looks like a road map for what lawyers may want to pursue with Chevron gone.

Business groups are cheering the Chevron decision. The National Federation of Independent Business, which represents small businesses, said the Supreme Court’s ruling will allow companies “to breathe a sigh of relief.”

“For 40 years, Chevron deference has allowed administrative agencies to enact regulations with little accountability,” Beth Milito, Executive Director of NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center, said in a statement. “Abandoning Chevron will hold agencies accountable and level the playing field in court cases between small businesses and administrative agencies.”

Democrats, anticipating Chevron’s demise, gave E.P.A. more power in recent climate law.

The Biden administration has been preparing for the overturn of Chevron, knowing that conservative activists have pushed cases like this, and that the majority of justices on the Supreme Court were expected to look favorably on it.

That’s why two years ago the White House worked with congressional Democrats to squeeze through legislation that could help protect the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to craft climate change regulations, even if the Chevron doctrine was struck down.

Climate change rules could be particularly vulnerable to legal attack in a post- Chevron world. That’s because the E.P.A. wrote them under the authority of the 1970 Clean Air Act, a sweeping law that directs the agency to regulate all pollutants that endanger human health.

But the legislators of 1970 did not specify anywhere in the law that carbon dioxide emissions, the chief cause of climate change, should be regulated. It doesn’t even mention climate change.

Democrats changed that in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, a law chiefly focused on spending billions of dollars on clean energy technology to fight climate change. But the law amends the Clean Air Act to define the carbon dioxide produced by the burning of fossil fuels as an “air pollutant.”

That language, according to legal experts as well as the Democrats who worked it into the legislation, explicitly gives the E.P.A. the authority to regulate greenhouse gases and to use its power to push the adoption of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources.

The specificity of that legal language should protect E.P.A.’s authority to regulate carbon dioxide pollution by limiting their emission from tailpipes and smokestacks.

However, opponents of the rule — chiefly, the fossil fuel industry — are still expected to use the demise of the Chevron doctrine to attempt to weaken the specifics of those rules.

Overturning Chevron is just the latest in a series of ringing blows the Supreme Court’s Republican-appointed conservative bloc has delivered to the ability of regulatory agencies to impose rules on powerful business interests, advancing a long-standing goal of the conservative legal movement and the donors who have funded its rise . Here are some previous steps:

In recent years, the Republican majority has also made it easier to sue agencies and get their rules struck down, including by advancing the so-called major questions doctrine. Under that idea, courts should nullify economically significant regulations if judges decided Congress was not clear enough in authorizing them. Advancing and entrenching that idea, the court has struck down an E.P.A. rule aimed at limiting carbon pollution from power plants , and barred the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from telling large employers they must either have their workers vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus or have them undergo frequent testing.

Overturning the Chevron decision has been a major goal of the conservative legal movement.

After taking aim at abortion and affirmative action, the conservative legal movement set its sights on a third precedent: Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council .

The 1984 decision, one of the most cited in American law but largely unknown to the public, bolstered the power of executive agencies that regulate the environment, the marketplace, the work force, the airwaves and countless other aspects of modern life. Overturning it was a key goal of the right and is part of a project to demolish the “administrative state.”

The decision rejecting Chevron threatens regulations covering — just for starters — health care, consumer safety, government benefit programs and climate change.

Chevron — and bear with me here, this will hurt only for a minute — established the principle that courts must defer to agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutes. The theory is that agencies have more expertise than judges, are more accountable to voters and are better able to establish uniform national policies.

“Judges are not experts in the field, and are not part of either political branch of the government,” Justice John Paul Stevens wrote in 1984 for a unanimous court (though three of its justices recused for reasons of health or financial conflict). Justice Stevens later said of the opinion , which was easily his most influential, that it was “simply a restatement of existing law.”

The decision was not much noted when it was issued. “If Chevron amounted to a revolution, it seems almost everyone missed it,” Justice Neil Gorsuch, the harshest critic of the doctrine on the current court, wrote in 2022 , saying that courts had read it too broadly.

At first, conservatives believed that empowering agencies would constrain liberal judges. So the Reagan administration, which had interpreted the Clean Air Act to allow looser regulations of emissions, celebrated the decision.

Justice Stevens, rejecting a challenge from environmental groups, wrote that the Environmental Protection Agency’s reading of the statute was “a reasonable construction” that was “entitled to deference.”

The head of the E.P.A. when the regulation was issued? Anne Gorsuch, Justice Gorsuch’s mother.

Most surprisingly, given its current bad odor with the right, Chevron was at least initially championed, celebrated and elevated by Justice Antonin Scalia, a revered conservative figure who died in 2016 . “In the long run Chevron will endure and be given its full scope,” he wrote in a law review article in 1989, adding that this was so “because it more accurately reflects the reality of government.”

What, then, accounted for the decision’s place on the conservative hit list? After all, as the case itself demonstrates, it requires deference to agency interpretations under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

The answers are practical, cultural and philosophical. Business groups on the whole remain hostile to regulation. Many conservatives have come to believe that executive agencies are dominated by liberals under both parties’ administrations — the shorthand for this critique is “the deep state.” And some on the right have become hostile to the very idea of expertise.

The majority opinion by Justice Roberts notes: “Chevron’s presumption is misguided because agencies have no special competence in resolving statutory ambiguities. Courts do.” Justice Elana Kagan, in a fiery dissent, disagreed and predicted “large-scale disruption,” as judges are called upon to answer questions that expert agencies have been entrusted to handle.

Ken Bensinger

Conservative pundits, already celebrating last night’s debate, are now in a mood of downright jubilation after the Supreme Court’s rulings today rolling back the power of regulatory agencies and overturning the Justice Department’s use of an obstruction statute in the January 6 criminal cases. “Huge, huge 24 hours for Donald Trump/GOP WOW,” wrote Megyn Kelly, the right-wing podcaster and former Fox anchor.

Stacy Cowley and Emily Flitter

The ruling will embolden challenges against financial regulators.

The end of Chevron deference is a boon for banking lobbyists, who have in recent years intensified their pushback against the agencies that oversee them — especially the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, one of the industry’s most aggressive regulators.

The consumer bureau’s interpretations “may now be subject to heightened attack and may require far more justification than formerly was the case,” said Joseph Lynyak, a partner at Dorsey & Whitney who specializes in financial regulation.

While the decision will complicate regulators’ jobs, its effects will likely seem familiar to them. Losing the Chevron deference will amplify a shift already underway in the lower courts, which have in recent years been receptive to lawsuits challenging financial regulators’ actions. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in particular — and the federal courts under its purview — has been a major roadblock, preventing the bureau from imposing credit card late fee limits and expanding its interpretation of anti- discrimination laws .

One recent action that may now be ripe for a challenge is the bureau’s decision that Buy Now, Pay Later lenders are credit card providers, giving buyers a right to dispute charges and demand refunds.

“Because this interpretive rule pushes the envelope past existing law into pure agency interpretation, it will be an attractive target for industry challenge,” said Erin Bryan, another partner at Dorsey & Whitney.

In addition to the C.F.P.B., trade groups representing banks have sued other federal bank regulators, including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve. They have challenged those regulators over a host of rules, from a sweeping anti-redlining regulation to one requiring banks to disclose detailed data about their small business loans.

Outside advocacy groups have also gotten into the habit of suing the regulators, though the bulk of their activity took place during the Trump administration, when proponents of stricter financial regulation felt that government officials were unlawfully loosening rules on banks and other firms. Their preferred appeals circuit was the Ninth; they often filed federal court cases in the Northern District of California, where they expected judges to treat their arguments favorably.

Both sides won rulings by judges who declined to defer to the regulators.

“A court can always avoid getting to the Chevron deference in the first place by saying that a statute is not ambiguous, and that’s what happens the vast majority of the time,” said Randy Benjenk, a partner at Covington & Burling who focuses on financial regulation.

“In practice it’s been rare for a judge to conclude that a statute is ambiguous and defer to an agency’s interpretation of law. Judges routinely reach their own interpretations that contradict the agencies. That’s true in courts nationwide, whether in Texas, California or anywhere else.”

The oversight of food, drugs and tobacco is expected to be a target.

The Food and Drug Administration, which oversees a vast swath of items people use every day, is expected to see an increase — perhaps an onslaught — of lawsuits following the Supreme Court’s decision on Friday.

“This is disastrous for public health. This is disastrous for the critical role of science-based regulatory agencies,” said Mitch Zeller, a former F.D.A. associate commissioner and tobacco division director. “Chevron has worked well for half a century and makes a lot of sense.”

Challenges could range from whether tainted spinach can be traced back to a farm to the very core of the F.D.A.’s decisions on whether drugs are safe and effective enough to be sold in the United States.

“F.D.A. has always been called the gold standard for product approval throughout the world,” said Perham Gorji, a partner at the law firm DLA Piper and former deputy chief counsel at the F.D.A. “Less deference to F.D.A. is going to obviously change what’s available in terms of products that are available here in the United States.”

The agency employs about 18,000 people, many of whom are doctors or have advanced degrees in biostatistics, chemistry and toxicology. Given the complexity of some scientific decisions the agency makes, attorneys who focus on the F.D.A. said initial challenges might focus on areas in which the F.D.A. exerts policy clout, including some that touch on drug pricing.

Chad Landmon, an attorney with Axinn who leads the F.D.A. practice group, predicted that early lawsuits could stem from a mix of problems companies face.

“I think companies are going to be much more aggressive and generally are going to be looking for opportunities to challenge the F.D.A.,” Mr. Landmon said.

Others expect a broad onslaught from tobacco companies regulated by the agency. “I would expect the tobacco industry to target every aspect of the F.D.A.’s regulatory infrastructure,” said Desmond Jensen of the Public Health Law Center. The agency decides which e-cigarettes are authorized for sale and can reject new cigarettes that could attract new smokers.

Limits on Chevron are widely thought to favor industry, but the reality could be more complex if advocacy groups gear up, said Nick Shipley, a former lobbyist for BIO and PhRMA and the founder of Cronus Consulting. He cited the group that challenged the F.D.A.’s approval of abortion medications .

“Industry,” he said, “could be caught in the crossfire.”

While the Chevron decision could imperil the standing of hundreds of recent and future regulations, Chief Justice Roberts was careful to write in his opinion that the decision is not retroactive.

Justice Roberts wrote that it does “not call into question prior cases that relied on the Chevron framework. The holdings of those cases that specific agency actions are lawful — including the Clean Air Act holding of Chevron itself — are still subject to statutory stare decisis despite our change in interpretive methodology.”

Coral Davenport , Christina Jewett , Alan Rappeport , Margot Sanger-Katz , Noam Scheiber and Noah Weiland

Here’s what the Chevron ruling could mean in everyday terms.

The Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to limit the broad regulatory authority of federal agencies could lead to the elimination or weakening of thousands of rules on the environment, health care, worker protection, food and drug safety, telecommunications, the financial sector and more.

The decision is a major victory in a decades-long campaign by conservative activists to shrink the power of the federal government, limiting the reach and authority of what those activists call “the administrative state.”

The court’s opinion could make it easier for opponents of federal regulations to challenge them in court, prompting a rush of new litigation, while also injecting uncertainty into businesses and industries.

“If Americans are worried about their drinking water, their health, their retirement account, discrimination on the job, if they fly on a plane, drive a car, if they go outside and breathe the air — all of these day-to-day activities are run through a massive universe of federal agency regulations,” said Lisa Heinzerling, an expert in administrative law at Georgetown University. “And this decision now means that more of those regulations could be struck down by the courts.”

The decision effectively ends a legal precedent known as “Chevron deference,” after a 1984 Supreme Court ruling. That decision held that when Congress passes a law that lacks specificity, courts must give wide leeway to decisions made by the federal agencies charged with implementing that law. The theory was that scientists, economists and other specialists at the agencies have more expertise than judges in determining regulations and that the executive branch is also more accountable to voters.

Since then, thousands of legal decisions have relied on the Chevron doctrine when challenges have been made to regulations stemming from laws like the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act, the 1970 Clean Air Act , the 2010 Affordable Care Act and others.

In writing laws, Congress has frequently used open-ended directives, such as “ensuring the rule is in the public interest,” leaving it to agency experts to write rules to limit toxic smog, ensure that health plans cover basic medical services, ensure the safety of drugs and cosmetics and protect consumers from risky corporate financial behavior.

But that gave too much power to unelected government officials, according to conservatives, who ran a coordinated, multiyear campaign to end the Chevron doctrine. They believe the courts, not administrative agencies, should have the power to interpret statutes. The effort was led by Republican attorneys general, conservative legal activists and their funders, several with ties to large corporations, and supporters of former President Donald J. Trump.

“Overturning Chevron was a shared goal of the conservative movement and the Trump administration. It was expressed constantly,” said Mandy Gunasekara, who served as chief of staff at the E.P.A. under President Trump and has helped write Project 2025 , a policy blueprint for a next Republican administration. “It creates a massive opportunity for these regulations to be challenged. And it could galvanize additional momentum toward reining in the administrative state writ large if the administration changes in November.”

Still, Jonathan Berry, who served as a senior Labor Department official under Mr. Trump, noted that overturning the Chevron doctrine itself “doesn’t immediately blow anything up.”

Rather, Mr. Berry said, the fate of the regulations will be determined by what happens when they start moving through the courts without the protection of Chevron. “The mystery is exactly how much of this stuff goes down,” Mr. Berry said.

Here is a look at how the decision might affect various government agencies.

The Environmental Protection Agency

Environmentalists fear that the end of the Chevron doctrine will mean the elimination of hundreds of E.P.A. rules aimed at limiting air and water pollution, protecting people from toxic chemicals and, especially, tackling climate change.

Over the past six months, the Biden administration has issued the most ambitious rules in the country’s history aimed at cutting climate-warming pollution from cars , trucks , power plants and oil and gas wells . Without those rules, it would very likely be impossible for President Biden to achieve his goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by the end of the decade, which analysts say all major economies must do to avoid the most deadly and catastrophic impacts of global warming.

All of the Biden climate rules have already been the target of lawsuits that are winding their way through the courts.

Legal experts say that the reversal of Chevron will not remove E.P.A.’s foundational legal obligation to regulate climate-warming pollution: that was explicitly detailed in a 2007 Supreme Court decision and in 2022 legislation passed by Democrats in anticipation of challenges to that authority.

But the specific regulations — such those designed to cut car and truck pollution by accelerating the transition to electric vehicles, or to slash power plant pollution with the use of costly carbon capture and sequestration technology — could now be more legally vulnerable.

The result would quite likely be that stringent climate rules designed to sharply reduce emissions could be replaced by much looser rules that cut far less pollution. Experts say that could also be the fate of existing rules on smog, clean water and hazardous chemicals.

Labor Agencies

The elimination of the Chevron deference could affect workers in a variety of ways, making it harder for the government to enact workplace safety regulations and enforce minimum wage and overtime rules.

One recent example was in April, when the Biden administration raised the salary level below which salaried workers automatically become eligible for time-and-a-half overtime pay, to nearly $59,000 per year from about $35,000, beginning on Jan. 1. Business groups have challenged the Labor Department’s authority to set a so-called salary threshold and such challenges will have far better odds of success without the Chevron precedent, experts said.

The shift could also rein in protections for workers who publicly challenge the policies of their employers, according to Charlotte Garden, a professor of labor law at the University of Minnesota. The National Labor Relations Board often concludes that a single worker has the right to protest low pay or harassment or attendance policies without being disciplined or fired. But the relevant law refers to “concerted activities,” meaning the protection may now apply only to groups of employees who stage such protests, not individuals, Professor Garden said.

Food and Drug Administration

The Food and Drug Administration flexes significant power when it sets the standards for how new drugs must be studied and whether they are safe and effective before they are approved for use. Attorneys who worked at the agency said that companies chafing at that high bar for approvals might now challenge those regulations. Others said legal challenges could ultimately affect drug prices.

Challenges are also expected in the agency’s tobacco division, which authorizes the sale of new cigarettes and e-cigarettes with the intent to protect public health. “I would expect the industry to attack the F.D.A.’s authority to do premarket review at all,” said Desmond Jenson, deputy director of the commercial tobacco control program at the Public Health Law Center.

Others noted the Chevron decision could have a chilling effect, compelling the F.D.A. to proceed quite carefully, given the potential for litigation, if it moves forward with proposals to ban menthol cigarettes or make them less addictive by slashing nicotine levels.

Abortion opponents say the ruling could work in their favor as they seek to bring another case against the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of an abortion medication to the Supreme Court, which rejected their effort to undo the agency’s approval of the drug this month.

Kristi Hamrick, a strategist for Students for Life of America, an anti-abortion organization, said in a statement that such a case was likely to get a better reception “when the F.D.A. is no longer given the benefit of the doubt.”

Health Care

The court’s ruling could affect how Medicare, Medicaid and Affordable Care Act insurance plans are administered, health law experts said, as opponents gain an opportunity to challenge how these huge programs operate.

The health care system is governed by elaborate regulations covering how hospitals operate, what providers are paid for medical services and how insurance companies are monitored by the government. Much of that regulation is grounded in interpretation of laws that date back decades. Major industries could be affected if rules are changed.

“There’s an awful lot of regulation that flies under the radar that’s just about making sure the trains run on time,” said Nicholas Bagley, a law professor at the University of Michigan.

Rachel Sachs, a health law expert at the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, said that the complex set of rules devised and governed by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services could be challenged in new ways.

“There’s a lot of work to do in that process,” she said. “And therefore there are a lot of opportunities for challengers to pick at specific choices that C.M.S. and H.H.S. are making in the interpretation of these rules.”

The Supreme Court decision will require Congress to specify exactly what agencies like the C.D.C. can and cannot do, several analysts said. “Nobody has any confidence that Congress can get its act together to do that,” said Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.

The Biden administration has written health regulations anticipating a world without the Chevron deference, said Abbe R. Gluck, a health law expert at Yale Law School who served in the White House at the beginning of Mr. Biden’s term. For that reason, she thinks litigation over the most recent rules may be less influenced by this change than challenges concerning some older regulations.

“The Supreme Court has not relied on Chevron in quite a few years,” she said. “So the federal government, including H.H.S., has become accustomed to drafting regulations and making its interpretation arguments as if Chevron did not exist.”

“They’ve already adjusted,” Ms. Gluck said.

Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service both have broad mandates to interpret legislation when they write rules and regulations and enforce the tax code.

Since the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022, the Treasury Department has been racing to roll out regulations related to billions of dollars of clean energy tax credits that provide huge incentives for things such as the manufacturing of batteries or the purchase of electric vehicles. The Treasury Department has received pushback from some lawmakers who contend that it has not followed the intent of the law.

Although Congress creates the tax code through legislation, the I.R.S. has wide latitude in how the tax laws are administered. Accounting experts have suggested that the court’s ruling could complicate the agency’s ability to administer the tax code without specific direction from Congress.

A recent example is how the agency last year delayed enforcement of a contentious tax policy that would require users of digital wallets and e-commerce platforms to report small transactions. The new provision was introduced in the tax code in 2021 but was strongly opposed by lobbyists and small businesses.

The I.R.S. received criticism from some lawmakers for delaying the policy, but the agency defended its decision by arguing that taxpayers needed a longer transition period before the measure should be enforced to avoid a chaotic tax season.

Elizabeth Dias , Teddy Rosenbluth and Roni Rabin contributed reporting.

Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

Full Topic List

Regions & Countries

Publications
Our Methods
Short Reads
Tools & Resources

Read Our Research On:

About 3 in 10 Americans would seriously consider buying an electric vehicle

An electric car charges near a gas station on May 21, 2024, in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Electric vehicle sales continue to hit record highs, but the pace of growth in the United States has slowed for the first time since mid-2020 . And a new Pew Research Center survey finds that only about three-in-ten Americans say they would very or somewhat seriously consider purchasing an electric vehicle (EV), down 9 percentage points in the past year.

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to understand Americans’ views of electric vehicles. For this analysis, we surveyed 8,638 U.S. adults from May 13 to 19, 2024.

Everyone who took part in the survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way, nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATP’s methodology .

Here are the questions used for this analysis , along with responses, and the survey methodology .

A diverging bar chart showing that about 3 in 10 Americans say they would seriously consider purchasing an electric vehicle.

Amid this softening interest, we asked Americans about factors that could influence their choice of electric versus gas-powered vehicles: environmental benefits, cost, driving experience and reliability. We also looked at how confident Americans are that there will be enough EV charging stations and infrastructure to meet demand.

Related: How Americans View National, Local and Personal Energy Choices

Are EVs better for the environment than gas vehicles?

A horizontal stacked bar chart showing how Americans assess the pros and cons of electric vehicles.

One area where Americans rate EVs more favorably than gas vehicles is their environmental benefits. Nearly half (47%) say EVs are better for the environment than gas vehicles. Smaller shares say they are about the same (31%) or are worse for the environment (20%).

However, the share of Americans who say electric vehicles are better for the environment than gas vehicles has decreased 20 points since 2021, from 67%.

Do EVs cost less to buy and to charge?

Most Americans say EVs require a bigger up-front investment to buy than gas-powered vehicles (72%). Industry data shows that the average EV still costs more than the average gas vehicle, though this gap is narrowing .

Americans are split in their perceptions of the cost of charging or fueling these vehicles. Some 36% say EVs cost less to charge than gas-powered vehicles do to fuel, while 28% say EVs cost more and 32% think the costs are about the same.

Are EVs more fun to drive?

EV enthusiasts tout EVs’ faster acceleration and quiet engines as selling points over gas vehicles. But in our survey, just 13% say EVs are more fun to drive than gas vehicles. More than half (59%) say the two types of vehicles are about equally fun to drive.

Are EVs more reliable?

Amid reports about problems some EV owners have encountered , such as battery issues and squeaky brakes, half of Americans say electric vehicles are less reliable than gas vehicles. That share is up 16 points from 2021. Only 9% say EVs are more reliable, while 38% say electric and gas vehicles are about equally reliable.

Differences by party

On every dimension, Democrats view EVs more favorably than Republicans do.

A bar chart showing that Democrats have a much more positive impression of electric vehicles than Republicans do.

Environmental benefits: Democrats and those who lean to the Democratic Party are much more likely than Republicans and GOP leaners to say EVs are better for the environment than gas vehicles (69% vs. 24%).
Cost to buy: A majority of both Democrats and Republicans say EVs cost more to buy than gas vehicles. But fewer Democrats than Republicans say this (65% vs. 81%).
Cost to charge/fuel: Half of Democrats say EVs cost less to charge than gas vehicles do to fuel. That compares with a quarter of Republicans.
Reliability: Very few Democrats or Republicans think EVs are more reliable than gas vehicles, but Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say this (14% vs. 5%). Half of Democrats say EVs and gas vehicles are about the same on reliability, while 34% say EVs are less reliable. Republicans are even more negative, with 69% saying EVs are less reliable.
Fun: Small shares of both Democrats and Republicans say EVs are more fun to drive than gas-powered cars, but Democrats are more likely to say this (17% vs. 9%). The most common view among both groups is that EVs are about as fun to drive as gas cars.

Hybrid vehicle sales have been increasing for the past three years, and our survey finds that Americans are more likely to consider a hybrid than an electric vehicle. Some 43% of Americans say they would seriously consider purchasing a hybrid, compared with 29% who say this about an EV.

Still, a sizable share of the public (42%) say they would probably not consider a hybrid.

A diverging bar chart showing that roughly 4 in 10 Americans would seriously consider purchasing a hybrid vehicle.

Will there be enough EV charging stations and infrastructure?

Concerns about limited EV charging stations and infrastructure are one factor that can hold buyers back from switching from gas to electric vehicles.

A horizontal stacked bar chart showing that few Americans are confident U.S. will build charging infrastructure to support large numbers of EVs.

Overall, 56% of Americans are not too or not at all confident that the U.S. will build the necessary infrastructure to support large numbers of EVs. Another 31% are somewhat confident, while just 13% are extremely or very confident.

Republicans express strikingly low confidence in EV infrastructure. Only 6% are extremely or very confident the U.S. will build the necessary infrastructure, while 76% are not confident.

Democrats are more positive, but confidence is hardly widespread: 19% say they are extremely or very confident about this, while 38% are not confident. The share of Democrats who are extremely or very confident in EV infrastructure has decreased by 7 points from a year ago.

Illustrating the tie between infrastructure and interest, 58% of Americans who are extremely or very confident that the U.S. will build enough charging stations say they would seriously consider purchasing an EV. Only 16% of those who are not confident in EV infrastructure say the same.

Related: Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in the U.S.

Note: Here are the questions used for this analysis , along with responses, and the survey methodology .

Climate, Energy & Environment

Alec Tyson is an associate director of research at Pew Research Center .

Emma Kikuchi is is a research assistant focusing on science and society research at Pew Research Center .

How Americans View National, Local and Personal Energy Choices

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the u.s., how republicans view climate change and energy issues, how americans view future harms from climate change in their community and around the u.s., americans continue to have doubts about climate scientists’ understanding of climate change, most popular.

1615 L St. NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036 USA (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax (+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries

Research Topics

Email Newsletters

ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

Suggestions or feedback?

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Machine learning
Social justice
Black holes
Classes and programs

Departments

Aeronautics and Astronautics
Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Architecture
Political Science
Mechanical Engineering

Centers, Labs, & Programs

Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
Picower Institute for Learning and Memory
Lincoln Laboratory
School of Architecture + Planning
School of Engineering
School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Sloan School of Management
School of Science
MIT Schwarzman College of Computing

CHARMed collaboration creates a potent therapy candidate for fatal prion diseases

Press contact :.

Illustration of a charm bracelet with research-themed charms: DNA, neuron, viral capsid, zinc finger, light switch

Previous image Next image

Drug development is typically slow: The pipeline from basic research discoveries that provide the basis for a new drug to clinical trials and then production of a widely available medicine can take decades. But decades can feel impossibly far off to someone who currently has a fatal disease. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Senior Group Leader Sonia Vallabh is acutely aware of that race against time, because the topic of her research is a neurodegenerative and ultimately fatal disease — fatal familial insomnia, a type of prion disease — that she will almost certainly develop as she ages.

Vallabh and her husband, Eric Minikel, switched careers and became researchers after they learned that Vallabh carries a disease-causing version of the prion protein gene and that there is no effective therapy for fatal prion diseases. The two now run a lab at the Broad Institute, where they are working to develop drugs that can prevent and treat these diseases, and their deadline for success is not based on grant cycles or academic expectations but on the ticking time bomb in Vallabh’s genetic code.

That is why Vallabh was excited to discover, when she entered into a collaboration with Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research member Jonathan Weissman, that Weissman’s group likes to work at full throttle. In less than two years, Weissman, Vallabh, and their collaborators have developed a set of molecular tools called CHARMs that can turn off disease-causing genes such as the prion protein gene — as well as, potentially, genes coding for many other proteins implicated in neurodegenerative and other diseases — and they are refining those tools to be good candidates for use in human patients. Although the tools still have many hurdles to pass before the researchers will know if they work as therapeutics, the team is encouraged by the speed with which they have developed the technology thus far.

“The spirit of the collaboration since the beginning has been that there was no waiting on formality,” Vallabh says. “As soon as we realized our mutual excitement to do this, everything was off to the races.”

Co-corresponding authors Weissman and Vallabh and co-first authors Edwin Neumann, a graduate student in Weissman’s lab, and Tessa Bertozzi, a postdoc in Weissman’s lab, describe CHARM — which stands for Coupled Histone tail for Autoinhibition Release of Methyltransferase — in a paper published today in the journal Science .

“With the Whitehead and Broad Institutes right next door to each other, I don’t think there’s any better place than this for a group of motivated people to move quickly and flexibly in the pursuit of academic science and medical technology,” says Weissman, who is also a professor of biology at MIT and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. “CHARMs are an elegant solution to the problem of silencing disease genes, and they have the potential to have an important position in the future of genetic medicines.”

To treat a genetic disease, target the gene

Prion disease, which leads to swift neurodegeneration and death, is caused by the presence of misshapen versions of the prion protein. These cause a cascade effect in the brain: the faulty prion proteins deform other proteins, and together these proteins not only stop functioning properly but also form toxic aggregates that kill neurons. The most famous type of prion disease, known colloquially as mad cow disease, is infectious, but other forms of prion disease can occur spontaneously or be caused by faulty prion protein genes.

Most conventional drugs work by targeting a protein. CHARMs, however, work further upstream, turning off the gene that codes for the faulty protein so that the protein never gets made in the first place. CHARMs do this by epigenetic editing, in which a chemical tag gets added to DNA in order to turn off or silence a target gene. Unlike gene editing, epigenetic editing does not modify the underlying DNA — the gene itself remains intact. However, like gene editing, epigenetic editing is stable, meaning that a gene switched off by CHARM should remain off. This would mean patients would only have to take CHARM once, as opposed to protein-targeting medications that must be taken regularly as the cells’ protein levels replenish.

Research in animals suggests that the prion protein isn’t necessary in a healthy adult, and that in cases of disease, removing the protein improves or even eliminates disease symptoms. In a person who hasn’t yet developed symptoms, removing the protein should prevent disease altogether. In other words, epigenetic editing could be an effective approach for treating genetic diseases such as inherited prion diseases. The challenge is creating a new type of therapy.

Fortunately, the team had a good template for CHARM: a research tool called CRISPRoff that Weissman’s group previously developed for silencing genes. CRISPRoff uses building blocks from CRISPR gene editing technology, including the guide protein Cas9 that directs the tool to the target gene. CRISPRoff silences the targeted gene by adding methyl groups, chemical tags that prevent the gene from being transcribed, or read into RNA, and so from being expressed as protein. When the researchers tested CRISPRoff’s ability to silence the prion protein gene, they found that it was effective and stable.

Several of its properties, though, prevented CRISPRoff from being a good candidate for a therapy. The researchers’ goal was to create a tool based on CRISPRoff that was just as potent but also safe for use in humans, small enough to deliver to the brain, and designed to minimize the risk of silencing the wrong genes or causing side effects.

From research tool to drug candidate

Led by Neumann and Bertozzi, the researchers began engineering and applying their new epigenome editor. The first problem that they had to tackle was size, because the editor needs to be small enough to be packaged and delivered to specific cells in the body. Delivering genes into the human brain is challenging; many clinical trials have used adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) as gene-delivery vehicles, but these are small and can only contain a small amount of genetic code. CRISPRoff is way too big; the code for Cas9 alone takes up most of the available space.

The Weissman lab researchers decided to replace Cas9 with a much smaller zinc finger protein (ZFP). Like Cas9, ZFPs can serve as guide proteins to direct the tool to a target site in DNA. ZFPs are also common in human cells, meaning they are less likely to trigger an immune response against themselves than the bacterial Cas9.

Next, the researchers had to design the part of the tool that would silence the prion protein gene. At first, they used part of a methyltransferase, a molecule that adds methyl groups to DNA, called DNMT3A. However, in the particular configuration needed for the tool, the molecule was toxic to the cell. The researchers focused on a different solution: Instead of delivering outside DNMT3A as part of the therapy, the tool is able to recruit the cell’s own DNMT3A to the prion protein gene. This freed up precious space inside of the AAV vector and prevented toxicity.

The researchers also needed to activate DNMT3A. In the cell, DNMT3A is usually inactive until it interacts with certain partner molecules. This default inactivity prevents accidental methylation of genes that need to remain turned on. Neumann came up with an ingenious way around this by combining sections of DNMT3A’s partner molecules and connecting these to ZFPs that bring them to the prion protein gene. When the cell’s DNMT3A comes across this combination of parts, it activates, silencing the gene.

“From the perspectives of both toxicity and size, it made sense to recruit the machinery that the cell already has; it was a much simpler, more elegant solution,” Neumann says. “Cells are already using methyltransferases all of the time, and we’re essentially just tricking them into turning off a gene that they would normally leave turned on.”

Testing in mice showed that ZFP-guided CHARMs could eliminate more than 80 percent of the prion protein in the brain, while previous research has shown that as little as 21 percent elimination can improve symptoms.

Once the researchers knew that they had a potent gene silencer, they turned to the problem of off-target effects. The genetic code for a CHARM that gets delivered to a cell will keep producing copies of the CHARM indefinitely. However, after the prion protein gene is switched off, there is no benefit to this, only more time for side effects to develop, so they tweaked the tool so that after it turns off the prion protein gene, it then turns itself off.

Meanwhile, a complementary project from Broad Institute scientist and collaborator Benjamin Deverman’s lab, focused on brain-wide gene delivery and published in Science on May 17, has brought the CHARM technology one step closer to being ready for clinical trials. Although naturally occurring types of AAV have been used for gene therapy in humans before, they do not enter the adult brain efficiently, making it impossible to treat a whole-brain disease like prion disease. Tackling the delivery problem, Deverman’s group has designed an AAV vector that can get into the brain more efficiently by leveraging a pathway that naturally shuttles iron into the brain. Engineered vectors like this one make a therapy like CHARM one step closer to reality.

Thanks to these creative solutions, the researchers now have a highly effective epigenetic editor that is small enough to deliver to the brain, and that appears in cell culture and animal testing to have low toxicity and limited off-target effects.

“It’s been a privilege to be part of this; it’s pretty rare to go from basic research to therapeutic application in such a short amount of time,” Bertozzi says. “I think the key was forming a collaboration that took advantage of the Weissman lab’s tool-building experience, the Vallabh and Minikel lab’s deep knowledge of the disease, and the Deverman lab’s expertise in gene delivery.”

Looking ahead

With the major elements of the CHARM technology solved, the team is now fine-tuning their tool to make it more effective, safer, and easier to produce at scale, as will be necessary for clinical trials. They have already made the tool modular, so that its various pieces can be swapped out and future CHARMs won’t have to be programmed from scratch. CHARMs are also currently being tested as therapeutics in mice.

The path from basic research to clinical trials is a long and winding one, and the researchers know that CHARMs still have a way to go before they might become a viable medical option for people with prion diseases, including Vallabh, or other diseases with similar genetic components. However, with a strong therapy design and promising laboratory results in hand, the researchers have good reason to be hopeful. They continue to work at full throttle, intent on developing their technology so that it can save patients’ lives not someday, but as soon as possible.

Share this news article on:

Press mentions.

Sonia Vallabh and Eric Minikel, senior group leaders from the Broad Institute have created a gene-editing tool to combat prion diseases, reports Karen Weintraub for USA Today . The approach “should also work against diseases such as Huntington's, Parkinson's, ALS and even Alzheimer's, which result from the accumulation of toxic proteins,” Weintraub writes.

Previous item Next item

An on-off switch for gene editing

Epigenomic map reveals circuitry of 30,000 human disease regions

Eleven faculty, staff, and alumni were named to the MIT Technology Review 2016 TR35.

Eleven from MIT named to the 2016 TR35

More mit news.

Pioneering the future of materials extraction

Read full story →

The rules of the game

MIT researchers identify routes to stronger titanium alloys

Two sides of a tiny, thin arrow-shaped device with circuits.

Implantable microphone could lead to fully internal cochlear implants

The tenured engineers of 2024

Cardiac pacing device with 3D-printable leads

Detachable cardiac pacing lead may improve safety for cardiac patients

More news on MIT News homepage →

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, USA

Map (opens in new window)
Events (opens in new window)
People (opens in new window)
Careers (opens in new window)
Accessibility
Social Media Hub
MIT on Facebook
MIT on YouTube
MIT on Instagram

Environmental Justice Research Paper Topics

This guide provides a comprehensive list of environmental justice research paper topics , meticulously organized into ten categories, each featuring ten unique and engaging subjects. It also offers expert advice on how to select a topic and how to structure and write an environmental justice research paper. Furthermore, it introduces iResearchNet’s professional writing services, which can assist students in creating custom research papers on any topic.

100 Environmental Justice Research Paper Topics

Environmental justice is a significant and dynamic field of study. It intersects with various disciplines, including law, policy, public health, urban planning, and climate science. The following comprehensive list of environmental justice research paper topics is divided into ten categories, each with ten topics. These topics are designed to inspire students to explore the diverse aspects of environmental justice and contribute to this important discourse.

Academic Writing, Editing, Proofreading, And Problem Solving Services

Get 10% off with 24start discount code.

Environmental Justice and Policy

The role of policy in promoting environmental justice
The impact of the Clean Air Act on marginalized communities
Environmental justice in urban planning policies
The role of the EPA in ensuring environmental justice
Policy analysis of the National Environmental Policy Act
The influence of local government on environmental justice outcomes
The role of international policy in promoting environmental justice
Environmental justice implications of waste management policies
The impact of zoning laws on environmental justice
Policy solutions for addressing environmental racism

Case Studies in Environmental Justice

Flint water crisis: A case study in environmental injustice
The impact of Hurricane Katrina on low-income communities
Case study of indigenous rights and environmental justice
Environmental justice issues in the Dakota Access Pipeline project
Case study: Environmental justice in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
The impact of industrial pollution: A case study of Cancer Alley, Louisiana
Case study: The fight for environmental justice in the Amazon Rainforest
The impact of mining activities on local communities: A case study
Case study: Environmental justice and the Navajo Nation
The Love Canal disaster: A case study in environmental injustice

Environmental Justice and Health

The impact of environmental injustice on public health
Correlation between air pollution and health disparities
The impact of water pollution on marginalized communities
Environmental racism and its impact on health outcomes
The relationship between food deserts and environmental justice
The health impacts of hazardous waste disposal in marginalized communities
The correlation between environmental justice and mental health
The impact of noise pollution on health in urban areas
Health outcomes related to poor housing and environmental justice
The role of occupational health in environmental justice

Environmental Justice and Climate Change

The impact of climate change on marginalized communities
Climate justice: Ensuring fair adaptation strategies
The role of climate change in exacerbating environmental injustices
The impact of sea-level rise on low-income coastal communities
Climate change, environmental justice, and the Paris Agreement
The role of climate justice in international climate negotiations
The impact of extreme weather events on marginalized communities
Climate refugees: An emerging environmental justice issue
The intersection of climate justice and renewable energy policies
The role of climate change in urban heat islands and environmental justice

Environmental Justice and Activism

The role of activism in promoting environmental justice
The environmental justice movement in the 1980s
The impact of social media on environmental justice activism
The role of youth activism in the environmental justice movement
The influence of the Black Lives Matter movement on environmental justice
The role of indigenous activism in promoting environmental justice
Activism strategies for addressing environmental racism
The impact of community organizing on local environmental justice outcomes
The role of art and culture in environmental justice activism
Activism and the fight for clean water in Flint, Michigan

Environmental Justice and Education

The role of education in promoting environmental justice
Environmental justice in the school curriculum
The impact of environmental education on community awareness and action
The role of higher education institutions in promoting environmental justice
Environmental justice and science education
The role of environmental education in empowering marginalized communities
Environmental justice education programs
The impact of environmental education on policy and legislation
Environmental justice in environmental studies programs
The role of experiential learning in environmental justice education

Environmental Justice and Indigenous Rights

The impact of environmental injustice on indigenous communities
Indigenous rights and environmental justice in the Amazon
The role of indigenous knowledge in environmental justice
The impact of land rights on environmental justice in indigenous communities
The Dakota Access Pipeline and indigenous rights
Indigenous rights and the fight against deforestation
The impact of mining on indigenous communities and lands
Indigenous rights in international environmental law
The role of indigenous communities in biodiversity conservation and environmental justice

Environmental Justice and Urban Planning

The role of urban planning in promoting or hindering environmental justice
The impact of gentrification on environmental justice
Urban green spaces and environmental justice
The role of transportation planning in environmental justice
Environmental justice in urban redevelopment projects
The impact of housing policy on environmental justice
Urban agriculture and environmental justice
The role of community participation in urban planning for environmental justice
Urban heat islands and environmental justice
The impact of urban sprawl on environmental justice

Environmental Justice and Corporate Responsibility

The role of corporations in promoting or hindering environmental justice
Corporate pollution and environmental justice
The impact of corporate social responsibility initiatives on environmental justice
The role of the fossil fuel industry in environmental justice
The impact of corporate lobbying on environmental justice policies
Environmental justice and the tech industry
The role of greenwashing in environmental justice
Corporate accountability and environmental justice
The impact of supply chains on environmental justice
Environmental justice in the garment industry

Environmental Justice and International Perspectives

Comparative analysis of environmental justice in different countries
The role of international law in promoting environmental justice
Environmental justice in the Global South
The impact of globalization on environmental justice
Environmental justice and the European Union
The role of international organizations in promoting environmental justice
Environmental justice in developing vs. developed countries
The impact of international trade on environmental justice
Environmental justice and the United Nations
The role of international climate agreements in promoting environmental justice

In conclusion, these environmental justice research paper topics provide a broad overview of the various aspects of environmental justice. They highlight the intersectionality of environmental justice, touching on policy, health, climate change, activism, education, indigenous rights, urban planning, corporate responsibility, and international perspectives. Each topic offers a unique opportunity to delve into the complexities of environmental justice and contribute to this important field of study. Remember, the goal is not just to understand the issues but also to explore potential solutions and strategies for achieving environmental justice.

Environmental Justice Research Guide

In today’s world, environmental justice has become a crucial topic of concern for environmental scientists, policymakers, and communities around the globe. The concept of environmental justice centers on the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their race, socioeconomic status, or geographical location, have equal access to a clean and healthy environment. As students studying environmental science, it is vital to delve into the realm of environmental justice and explore its multifaceted dimensions. One powerful way to do so is through research papers that shed light on various aspects of environmental justice and propose solutions to the challenges faced.

This page aims to provide a comprehensive resource for students in the field of environmental science who are interested in writing research papers on environmental justice. Whether you are exploring this topic for the first time or seeking to deepen your understanding of specific issues, this page will guide you through the process of choosing compelling environmental justice research paper topics, offering expert advice on effective research methodologies, and providing insights on how to structure and write an impactful environmental justice research paper.

The field of environmental justice encompasses a broad range of topics, including but not limited to pollution disparities, environmental racism, indigenous rights, climate justice, and sustainable development. By delving into these areas, you can contribute to the growing body of knowledge surrounding environmental justice and play a role in advocating for a more equitable and sustainable world.

As environmental science students, you possess a unique opportunity to make a difference through your research. By studying environmental justice and shedding light on its complexities, you can contribute to the development of evidence-based policies, raise awareness among communities, and drive positive change. This page will serve as your guide, equipping you with the necessary tools, knowledge, and inspiration to embark on a meaningful research journey focused on environmental justice.

Throughout this page, you will find valuable resources, expert advice, and practical tips to assist you in selecting an impactful research paper topic, conducting rigorous research, and effectively communicating your findings. Additionally, we will introduce you to the writing services offered by iResearchNet, which provide expert assistance and support in crafting custom environmental justice research papers tailored to your unique requirements.

Choosing an Environmental Justice Research Topic

Choosing the right environmental justice research paper topic is a critical step in your journey to explore and address the complexities of environmental justice issues. To help you in this process, we have compiled expert advice and practical tips to guide your selection. By following these recommendations, you can ensure that your research paper tackles a relevant and impactful aspect of environmental justice. Consider the following tips:

Identify your area of interest : Start by reflecting on your personal interests within the field of environmental justice. Consider environmental justice research paper topics that resonate with you, whether they relate to climate change, pollution, indigenous rights, urban planning, or other related areas. Engaging with a topic you are passionate about will enhance your motivation and dedication to the research process.
Stay informed : Keep yourself updated on current environmental justice issues through reputable sources such as academic journals, policy reports, and news articles. This will help you identify emerging environmental justice research paper topics and gaps in the existing literature, allowing you to contribute new insights and perspectives.
Narrow down your focus : Environmental justice is a broad field, so it is important to narrow down your focus to a specific aspect or dimension. This could be based on geographic location, affected communities, policy frameworks, or specific environmental challenges. A focused research question will enable you to delve deeper into the topic and provide a more comprehensive analysis.
Conduct preliminary research : Before finalizing your research topic, conduct preliminary research to gain a better understanding of the existing literature and identify any gaps or areas that require further investigation. This will inform your research question and help you refine your topic.
Engage with diverse perspectives : Environmental justice encompasses various social, economic, and political dimensions. Consider incorporating diverse perspectives into your research by examining different stakeholder viewpoints, marginalized communities, or international perspectives. This will provide a more comprehensive understanding of environmental justice issues.
Consider interdisciplinary approaches : Environmental justice is inherently interdisciplinary, as it intersects with fields such as sociology, political science, economics, and law. Explore opportunities to integrate insights from different disciplines into your research to offer a holistic perspective on the topic.
Collaborate with experts : Engage with professors, mentors, or professionals who specialize in environmental justice. Seek their guidance in refining your research topic, accessing relevant resources, and connecting with experts in the field. Collaborative discussions can provide valuable insights and help shape your research direction.
Assess feasibility : Evaluate the feasibility of your research topic in terms of data availability, research methods, and time constraints. Ensure that you have access to relevant data sources, methodologies to analyze the data, and sufficient time to conduct your research effectively.
Consider real-world implications : Environmental justice research should have practical implications and contribute to positive change. Assess how your research can inform policy development, influence community actions, or contribute to environmental justice movements. Aim for research that goes beyond academic exploration and has tangible impacts.
Seek feedback : Share your research topic and ideas with peers, professors, or experts in the field. Seek their feedback and suggestions to refine your topic and ensure its relevance and significance. Incorporating multiple perspectives will strengthen the quality and impact of your research.

By considering these expert tips, you will be equipped with the necessary guidance to select a compelling and meaningful environmental justice research paper topic. Remember, the topic you choose will shape the direction and impact of your research, so invest time and thought into this crucial step. Embrace the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on environmental justice and strive to make a positive difference in the lives of affected communities.

How to Write an Environmental Justice Research Paper

Writing an environmental justice research paper requires careful planning, organization, and a deep understanding of the subject matter. To help you navigate this process and produce a high-quality research paper, we have compiled a list of ten practical tips. By following these guidelines, you can effectively convey your ideas, analyze complex issues, and contribute to the field of environmental justice. Consider the following tips:

Define your research question : Start by clearly defining your research question or objective. This will provide a focused direction for your paper and guide your research efforts. Ensure that your research question is specific, concise, and relevant to the field of environmental justice.
Conduct a literature review : Before diving into your research, conduct a comprehensive literature review to familiarize yourself with the existing knowledge and research gaps in the area of environmental justice. This will help you situate your work within the broader context and identify key themes, theories, and methodologies that have been employed in previous studies.
Gather and analyze data : Environmental justice research often involves collecting and analyzing various types of data, including quantitative data, qualitative data, and case studies. Depending on your research question, determine the most appropriate data collection methods and analytical tools to support your analysis.
Consider ethical considerations : Environmental justice research often involves working with marginalized communities or studying sensitive environmental justice research paper topics. Take into account ethical considerations, such as informed consent, privacy, and confidentiality, when conducting research. Ensure that your research adheres to ethical guidelines and safeguards the rights and well-being of the participants.
Adopt an interdisciplinary approach : Environmental justice issues are complex and multifaceted, requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Draw insights from various disciplines such as environmental science, sociology, law, policy studies, and economics. Integrate different perspectives to gain a holistic understanding of the issues at hand.
Use appropriate research methodologies : Select research methodologies that align with your research question and objectives. This could include qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, or case studies, or quantitative methods such as surveys or statistical analysis. Justify your choice of methodology and ensure its appropriateness for your research.
Structure your paper effectively : Organize your research paper into logical sections, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, analysis, and conclusion. Ensure a clear and coherent flow of ideas throughout the paper, with each section contributing to the overall argument or research objective.
Provide critical analysis : In an environmental justice research paper, it is essential to provide critical analysis of the data and literature. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of existing studies, identify gaps in knowledge, and propose new insights or alternative approaches to addressing environmental justice issues.
Support your arguments with evidence : Use empirical evidence, data, and scholarly sources to support your arguments and claims. Cite relevant research studies, reports, and legal documents to strengthen the credibility of your analysis. Ensure proper citation and referencing using the appropriate style guide (e.g., APA, MLA).
Consider policy implications: Environmental justice research often has policy implications. Discuss the potential policy recommendations or interventions that arise from your findings. Consider how your research can inform decision-making processes, advocate for social justice, or contribute to the development of more equitable environmental policies.

By following these tips, you can navigate the process of writing an environmental justice research paper with confidence. Remember to maintain a clear focus, critically analyze the literature and data, and contribute new insights to the field. With careful planning and rigorous research, your paper can make a valuable contribution to the understanding and advancement of environmental justice.

Custom Research Paper Writing Services

When it comes to writing an environmental justice research paper, we understand that students may face various challenges. The intricacies of the subject, the extensive research required, and the pressure to deliver a high-quality paper can be overwhelming. That’s why iResearchNet is here to support you. Our writing services provide a convenient and reliable solution for students seeking assistance with their environmental justice research papers. By ordering a custom paper from us, you can benefit from the expertise of our degree-holding writers and ensure a well-crafted and comprehensive research paper. Here are thirteen features of our writing services that make us the ideal choice for your environmental justice research paper:

Expert degree-holding writers : We have a team of highly qualified writers who specialize in environmental science and related fields. They possess advanced degrees and have extensive experience in conducting research and writing academic papers.
Custom written works : Every research paper we deliver is 100% original and tailored to your specific requirements. Our writers follow your instructions and conduct in-depth research to produce a unique and customized paper.
In-depth research : Our writers are skilled in conducting thorough research on environmental justice topics. They have access to a wide range of scholarly resources and databases, ensuring that your paper is well-researched and based on credible sources.
Custom formatting : We adhere to different formatting styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard. Our writers are familiar with these formatting guidelines and ensure that your paper meets the specified style requirements.
Top quality : We strive for excellence in every aspect of our writing services. Our writers are committed to delivering high-quality papers that meet academic standards and demonstrate critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep understanding of environmental justice issues.
Customized solutions : We understand that each research paper is unique, and we tailor our services to your specific needs. Whether you require assistance with topic selection, data analysis, or literature review, we can provide customized solutions to meet your requirements.
Flexible pricing : We offer competitive and flexible pricing options to accommodate different budgets. We understand that students often have financial constraints, and we strive to provide affordable services without compromising on quality.
Short deadlines : We are equipped to handle tight deadlines, with the ability to deliver research papers in as little as three hours. Our writers are skilled in working efficiently without compromising on the quality and depth of research.
Timely delivery : We understand the importance of timely submission, and we prioritize delivering your paper on time. You can rely on us to meet your deadlines and ensure that you have sufficient time to review the paper before submission.
24/7 support : Our customer support team is available round the clock to assist you with any queries or concerns. Whether you have questions about the ordering process or need updates on your paper, our dedicated support team is ready to help.
Absolute privacy : We prioritize the privacy and confidentiality of our clients. Rest assured that your personal information and the details of your order will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Easy order tracking : Our user-friendly platform allows you to easily track the progress of your order. You can communicate directly with your assigned writer, provide additional instructions, and stay updated on the status of your paper.
Money-back guarantee : We are confident in the quality of our services. In the rare event that you are not satisfied with the delivered paper, we offer a money-back guarantee, ensuring your satisfaction and peace of mind.

With our comprehensive writing services, you can trust iResearchNet to deliver a custom environmental justice research paper that meets your academic requirements and exceeds your expectations. Place your order today and let our expert writers provide you with the assistance you need to excel in your studies.

Take the Next Step Towards Academic Success

Are you ready to take your environmental justice research paper to the next level? Don’t let the challenges of the writing process hold you back. Place your trust in iResearchNet’s writing services and let us help you achieve your academic goals. With our expert writers, customized solutions, and commitment to top quality, we are the ideal choice for students seeking assistance with their environmental justice research papers.

Once you’ve placed your order, we will assign a dedicated writer who specializes in environmental science and environmental justice. You will have the opportunity to communicate directly with your writer, discussing your ideas, providing additional materials, and ensuring that your paper reflects your unique perspective.

Don’t let the complexities of writing an environmental justice research paper deter you from achieving success. Place your order today and let our writing services support you in your academic journey. With iResearchNet, you can trust that your research paper will be in the hands of professionals who are dedicated to your success.

Unlock your potential and elevate your research papers with iResearchNet’s custom writing services. Order now and experience the difference we can make in your academic pursuits.

ORDER HIGH QUALITY CUSTOM PAPER

Public ranks long-term challenges and health determinants as top priorities for new EU

To enhance public health, the post-election European Union (EU) should prioritise long-term challenges such as climate change and the ageing population, as well as factors that influence our health, according to a new report . The findings, derived from a seven-month public debate led by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, highlight a collective call for the EU to play a more significant role in health.

The report, which is based on the public debate commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety ( DG SANTE ), outlines the key priorities and actions desired by citizens and stakeholders from a wide range of sectors and mostly from Europe. The analysis included more than 800 responses in conference polls and a survey, plus comprehensive inputs across three webinars .

The large and participatory initiative allowed to collect public opinion on nine critical health topics: health security; determinants of health; health system transformation; the health workforce; universal health coverage; digital solutions and AI; performance and resilience; long-term challenges like climate change and ageing; and the EU’s global role in health.

The public’s calls for action – including across sectors

Participants called for the European Commission to coordinate across its different policy branches. Collaborating across sectors is considered key to deliver health priorities, making the concepts of ‘ Health in All Policies’ and ‘Health for All Policies ’ important tools for addressing the determinants of health. Interestingly, the topics which garnered the highest consensus in the discussion framework were those least controlled by the health sector alone.

Significant measures should be taken to mitigate the health impacts of environmental risks, including promoting environmental health and supporting health equity through integrated policies. Participants also considered addressing the needs of an ageing population essential, by improving health services and ensuring that health systems are prepared to meet the demands of older adults.

The public opinion suggested several actions to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) across the EU, such as ensuring equal access to comprehensive health care services for all EU citizens and financial protection for all. Other recommendations ranged from establishing a common minimum coverage package and a European health insurance scheme to focusing on underserved groups, improving health literacy, and including mental health in UHC policies.

What role for the EU?

Participants highlighted the importance of EU legal frameworks and instruments in promoting and safeguarding health, such as funding and technical support. They advocated both for new tools and for better implementation and coordination of existing mechanisms.

Aligning educational standards was raised as a key topic in the context of addressing shortages of health workers , regional disparities and managing the demands for new skills. Better addressing health workforce needs and improving their working conditions to mitigate existing gaps was also discussed. There was consensus on the need for EU approaches to health workforce issues, including better coordination of initiatives and pursuit of EU wide policies.

Digital solutions , health security and strengthening the EU’s global voice and leadership were widely discussed but ranked slightly lower. Possible explanations outlined in the report include the “transversal nature of digital solutions, which voters may have perceived as a means to achieving other priorities”. The COVID-19 pandemic and sustained EU action on health security may have elicited some voters to opt for other topics that have received less policy attention in recent years.

Survey, webinars, and conference polls

Media Contacts

Débora Miranda

Communications and Dissemination Officer

Subscribe to our newsletter

IMAGES

Top 50 Environmental Law Dissertation Topics for Future Homework
Top 50 Legal Research Topics For Law Students In December 2022
Law Research Paper Topics: 150 Impactful Ideas for Law Students
Best Environmental Law Dissertation Topics and Thesis Ideas
Top 50 Legal Research Topics For Law Students in November 2022
Research Topics for PhD in Law

VIDEO

Legal Environment of Business Suggestion 2023 Part A Management 2nd Year
How to do Legal Research
Legal Environment of Business Presentation
Business environment :- Government and legal environment || #businessenvironment
Legal Environment
Researching Cases, Part 5: Using Citators in Legal Research

COMMENTS

Environmental Law Research Paper Topics
100 Environmental Law Research Paper Topics. Environmental law encompasses a wide array of legal issues related to the protection and preservation of our planet's natural resources and ecosystems. This comprehensive list of environmental law research paper topics is designed to inspire students and researchers alike to explore the intricate ...
1000 Law Thesis Topics and Ideas
Additionally, the legal liabilities of corporate officers and directors for breaches of fiduciary duties remain a hot topic in legal research. Environmental Law and Climate Change: Environmental law continues to be a pressing area of legal concern as the effects of climate change become more evident. Law students can explore topics related to ...
250+ Engaging Law Research Paper Topics
Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Business Law. Corporate Governance and Business Ethics. Legal Challenges in International Business Transactions. Intellectual Property Protection for Businesses. Antitrust Laws and Business Competition. Contracts and Commercial Law.
Home
Federal Environmental Law by Olga L. Moya; Andrew L. Fono This newly revised text is excellent as recommended reading or as a supplement for any class covering NEPA, RCRA, CERCLA, the Clean Air Act, or the Clean Water Act. The authors walk the reader through each chapter, discussing the policy and substance of the major statutes and citing recent cases, law reviews, and other secondary sources.
Legislation and the Stress of Environmental Problems
For lawyers and legal scholars, legislation seems a known quantity—a relatively permanent, public expression of democratic processes in parliamentary democracies and of the rule of law. This 'knowable' character can however be misleading, particularly in the field of environmental law. This article examines why research into environmental ...
Environmental Law Research Paper Topics
This comprehensive guide to environmental law research paper topics is designed to provide students studying environmental science with a wealth of options for their research papers. The guide offers a broad array of topics, divided into ten categories, each containing ten unique research topics. Additionally, the guide provides expert advice ...
International Environmental Law Research Guide
Introduction. Growth of international environmental law as a distinct field of public international law began in the 1970s with the Stockholm Conference on the Environment (1972). Since then, interest has steadily increased and it is one of the fastest growing areas of international law. Current issues of international concern covered by ...
Promoting Access to Environmental Justice: Legal Remedies for
Abstract. Promoting access to environmental justice is a critical aspect of ensuring fair and equitable outcomes for communities and individuals affected by environmental issues. This paper ...
Environmental law News, Research and Analysis
The EU's new ecocide law may still let environmental criminals get away with it. Filippos Proedrou, University of South Wales and Maria Pournara, Swansea University. Legal scholars say the law ...
UPDATE: A Basic Guide to International Environmental Legal Research
10. 1Environmental Law Blogs and Current Awareness Tools. 1. Introduction. International environmental law is an ever-changing, constantly expanding, and intriguing topic for international legal research. When decisions and collaborations occur between nations across international boundaries and treaties or agreements are made to cooperate for ...
Law Research Paper Topics, Your Roadmap to Legal Research
Environmental Law Research Paper Topics. Environmental law aims to reconcile economic growth with the need to protect the environment, offering a range of pertinent research topics. Legal Strategies for Combating Deforestation; Clean Air Act: A Legal Evaluation; The Role of Law in Protecting Endangered Species; Water Rights and Legal Disputes
Harvard Law students' research impacts environmental policy and
The Harvard Law School Environmental & Energy Law Program, also known as EELP, tracks and analyzes federal environmental regulation and policy and relies on significant support from its student research assistants.As the program moves from tracking rollbacks from the Trump administration that limited government action on climate change to focusing on the Biden-Harris administration's ...
Law Research Paper Topics: 150 Impactful Ideas for Law Students
Environmental Legal Topics to Write About. We hope you must have found your law topic by now. If not, then don't worry. We still have a few more interesting legal topics for your research paper. Let's have a look at the below-given topics: The growth of environmental science towards a sustainable future; The making of international ...
120 Law Research Paper Topics
Legal implications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, in environmental governance; Family Law Research Paper Topics: The impact of divorce on children's mental health; The role of domestic violence in child custody disputes; Same-sex marriage and adoption rights: A comparative analysis
Specialized Research Topics in Law
Specialized Research Topics in Law. Browse our best resources, organized by subject. Toggle navigation. 180 Select a Subject.
How to Conduct Legal Research and Analysis
Beginning your legal research will look different for each assignment. At the outset, ensure that you understand your goal by asking questions and taking careful notes. Ask about background case information, logistical issues such as filing deadlines, the client/matter number, and billing instructions. It's also important to consider how your ...
Environmental Law Dissertation Topics
Environmental Law Dissertation Topics. Published by Owen Ingram at January 2nd, 2023 , Revised On August 11, 2023. Human civilization cannot continue to develop without environmental sustainability. A legal provision that protects the environment is called an "environmental law.". An academic study of environmental law provides a better ...
Legal research: 3-step how-to guide
1. Identifying the legal issue is not so straightforward. Legal research involves interpreting many legal precedents and theories to justify your questions. Finding the right issue takes time and patience. 2. There's too much to research. Attorneys now face a great deal of case law and statutory material.
Law Research Paper Topics
The Legal Challenges of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement; ... Analyze Current Legal Developments: Staying up-to-date with current legal developments can inspire research topics that address emerging legal issues. Analyze recent court decisions, legislative changes, and policy developments to identify potential areas of research that ...
Research Guides: Researching Legal Topics: Choosing a Topic
Check current news sources, legal blogs, and newspapers for articles that discuss current legal issues to find a topic you are interested in researching for a writing project. For example, legal topics trending today are climate change or global warming, net neutrality, sports law, voting rights, same-sex marriage, water law, technology ...
230 Law Research Paper Topics: Best Legal Ideas 2023
Look at this list of potential law research paper topics that students can use to write their essays: Right of self-defense in the United States. Immigration regulations and their impact on society. Use of DNA evidence in criminal justice systems. Anti-discrimination regulations in different countries.
What Americans talk about with family and friends
That is by far the highest share for any of the 12 topics Pew Research Center asked about in a recent survey. Family and friends are a popular topic across demographic groups. Sizable majorities of Americans across nearly all groups - and close to identical shares of Republicans and Democrats - say they talk a lot about what's going on ...
Supreme Court Imperils an Array of Federal Rules
A foundational 1984 decision required courts to defer to agencies' reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutes, underpinning regulations on health care, safety and the environment.
Study illuminates cues algae use to 'listen' to their environment
Study illuminates cues algae use to 'listen' to their environment. ScienceDaily . Retrieved July 2, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com / releases / 2024 / 07 / 240702135021.htm
3 in 10 Americans would consider buying an electric vehicle
An electric car charges near a gas station on May 21, 2024, in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Electric vehicle sales continue to hit record highs, but the pace of growth in the United States has slowed for the first time since mid-2020.And a new Pew Research Center survey finds that only about three-in-ten Americans say they would very or somewhat seriously consider purchasing an electric ...
Crucial gaps in climate risk assessment methods
The research team developed a new methodology that uses detailed information about the location and characteristics of a company's physical assets, such as factories, equipment and natural resources.
CHARMed collaboration creates a potent therapy candidate for fatal
Drug development is typically slow: The pipeline from basic research discoveries that provide the basis for a new drug to clinical trials and then production of a widely available medicine can take decades. But decades can feel impossibly far off to someone who currently has a fatal disease. ... because the topic of her research is a ...
Environmental Justice Research Paper Topics
Environmental justice is a significant and dynamic field of study. It intersects with various disciplines, including law, policy, public health, urban planning, and climate science. The following comprehensive list of environmental justice research paper topics is divided into ten categories, each with ten topics.
Near chromosome-level genome of the Mojave poppy bee
Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university research partners developed a near chromosome-level genome for the Mojave ...
Public ranks long-term challenges and health determinants as top
To enhance public health, the post-election European Union (EU) should prioritise long-term challenges such as climate change and the ageing population, as well as factors that influence our health, according to a new report. The findings, derived from a seven-month public debate led by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, highlight a collective call for the EU to play a ...

250+ Engaging Law Research Paper Topics

The Essentials Of A Good Law Research Paper Topic

250+ Law Research Paper Topics

Top 10 Law Research Paper Topics On Criminal Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Constitutional Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Environmental Law

Top 10 Law Research Paper Topics On Human Rights Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Cyber Law

Top 10 Law Research Paper Topics On Intellectual Property Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On International Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Privacy Law

Top 10 Law Research Paper Topics On Immigration Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Administrative Law

Top 10 Law Research Paper Topics On Family Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Employment Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Health Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Tax Law

Top 10 Law Research Paper Topics On Contract Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Tort Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Property Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Business Law

Top 10 Law Research Paper Topics On Securities Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Banking Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Antitrust Law

Top 10 Literature Research Paper Topics On Criminal Procedure

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Civil Rights Law

Top 10 Research Paper Topics On Technology Law

Top 11 Law Research Paper Topics On Legal Ethics

Related Posts

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

Article Contents

Legislation and the Stress of Environmental Problems

A. The Virtues of Legislation

B. The Prominence of Legislation in Environmental Law

A. The Uncharted Features of Environmental Legislation

B. The Pre-2019 UK Environmental Statute-Book

C. The Brexit Environmental Legislation Explosion

Author notes

Email alerts

Affiliations

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Library electronic resources outage May 29th and 30th

International Environmental Law Research Guide

Key to Icons

International & Foreign Reference

Articles on Environmental law

What’s next after Supreme Court curbs regulatory power: More focus on laws’ wording, less on their goals

Resource management is always political – the Fast-track Approvals Bill is just honest about it

The US is losing wetlands at an accelerating rate − here’s how the private sector can help protect these valuable resources

The EU’s new ecocide law may still let environmental criminals get away with it

New EPA regulations target air, water, land and climate pollution from power plants, especially those that burn coal

Water theft laws and penalties in the Murray-Darling Basin are a dog’s breakfast. Here’s how we can fix them

The government wants to fast-track approvals of large infrastructure projects – that’s bad news for NZ’s biodiversity

Three secrets to successful climate litigation

Gold, silver and lithium mining on federal land doesn’t bring in any royalties to the US Treasury – because of an 1872 law

Ghana is behind the curve on climate change laws: expert suggests a way to get corporations on board

A Supreme Court ruling on fishing for herring could sharply curb federal regulatory power

Private landholders control 60% of the Australian continent – so let’s get them involved in nature protection

We must assess ‘cumulative impacts’ to protect nature from death by a thousand cuts

Plastic pollution: campaigners around the world are using the courts to clean up – but manufacturers are fighting back

Will faster federal reviews speed up the clean energy shift? Two legal scholars explain what the National Environmental Policy Act does and doesn’t do

Colorado River states bought time with a 3-year water conservation deal – now they need to think bigger

The Supreme Court just shriveled federal protection for wetlands, leaving many of these valuable ecosystems at risk

Supreme Court’s ruling on humane treatment of pigs could catalyze a wave of new animal welfare laws

Biden’s strategy for cutting carbon emissions from electricity generation could extend the lives of fossil fuel power plants

The Amazon is not safe under Brazil’s new president – a roads plan could push it past its breaking point

Related Topics

Top contributors

UPDATE: A Basic Guide to International Environmental Legal Research

Table of Contents

3. Treaty Research

10. Environmental Law Blogs and Current Awareness Tools

Law Research Paper Topics: Exploring Legal Frontiers

How to Pick a Legal Research Topic?

List of Law Topics for Research Paper

Civil Rights Topics of Law

Business Law Topics for Research Papers

Banking and Finance Law Topics

Constitutional Law Research Paper Topics