Our Highest Court, the Caribbean Court of Justice, says that Hess and CNOOC are non-operators and, therefore, cannot carry out activities under their petroleum production licence. The court also says that Hess and CNOOC are jointly and severally liable for compliance with the petroleum production licences and Exxon's environmental permit. Greater protection for public interest litigants against adverse costs awards and greater access to information. Exxon has duties of transparency and accountability to the public. Exxon has to obey international law. The court cited Article 36 of the Constitution, drafted by Melinda, and the Escazu agreement, which Melinda worked on in the early days. Nevertheless, the Court ruled against us in the main claim.
Our Highest Court, the Caribbean Court of Justice, says that Hess and CNOOC are non-operators and, therefore, cannot carry out activities under their petroleum production licence. The court also says that Hess and CNOOC are jointly and severally liable for compliance with the petroleum production licences and Exxon's environmental permit. Greater protection for public interest litigants against adverse costs awards and greater access to information. Exxon has duties of transparency and accountability to the public. Exxon has to obey international law. The court cited Article 36 of the Constitution, drafted by Melinda, and the Escazu agreement, which Melinda worked on in the early days. Nevertheless, the Court ruled against us in the main claim.
The High Court ruled that the Petroleum Activities Act does not mandate the State or oil companies to join judicial review cases. The High Court set aside an award of costs against public interest litigants.
The High Court ruled that the Petroleum Activities Act does not mandate the State or oil companies to join judicial review cases. The High Court set aside an award of costs against public interest litigants.
Recipient of the 6th Commonwealth Law Conference Rule of Law Award, awarded by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association in conjunction with LexisNexis.
Recipient of the 6th Commonwealth Law Conference Rule of Law Award, awarded by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association in conjunction with LexisNexis.
October court rules that Exxon Guyana’s environmental permit was unlawfully granted by the. Court also says the litigants are public benefactors and dismisses Attorney-General’s allegation that they are obstructionist.
October court rules that Exxon Guyana’s environmental permit was unlawfully granted by the. Court also says the litigants are public benefactors and dismisses Attorney-General’s allegation that they are obstructionist.
Court orders Esso to produce an unlimited parent company guarantee/indemnity from ExxonMobil in favour of Guyana for ALL costs of cleanup and compensation for environmental harm.
Court orders Esso to produce an unlimited parent company guarantee/indemnity from ExxonMobil in favour of Guyana for ALL costs of cleanup and compensation for environmental harm.
Court declares Esso in breach of its environmental permit and EPA to be in breach of its statutory duties, putting Guyana and its people in grave danger of calamitous risk.
Court declares Esso in breach of its environmental permit and EPA to be in breach of its statutory duties, putting Guyana and its people in grave danger of calamitous risk.
Court establishes liberal rules allowing Guyanese citizens to challenge public wrongs by public authorities through judicial review.
Court establishes liberal rules allowing Guyanese citizens to challenge public wrongs by public authorities through judicial review.
Filed a case challenging the renewal of Esso’s environmental permit without an EIA.
Filed a case challenging the renewal of Esso’s environmental permit without an EIA.
Filed a case to stop Esso from flaring.
Filed a case to stop Esso from flaring.
Co-founded LAR which refuses to act for fossil fuel companies or to prosecute climate defenders.
Co-founded LAR which refuses to act for fossil fuel companies or to prosecute climate defenders.
Leading the legal team challenging Guyana’s oil and gas development. We say that greenhouse gas pollution from oil production harms the ocean and the climate thus violating the constitutional rights of Guyanese citizens to a healthy environment.
Leading the legal team challenging Guyana’s oil and gas development. We say that greenhouse gas pollution from oil production harms the ocean and the climate thus violating the constitutional rights of Guyanese citizens to a healthy environment.
Reduced environmental permits for oil exploration down from 23 years to five years, drastically reducing the time that ExxonMobil Guyana can legally drill for.
Reduced environmental permits for oil exploration down from 23 years to five years, drastically reducing the time that ExxonMobil Guyana can legally drill for.
Successfully lobbied UNCEDAW on the dangers of oil/gas, leading to a recommendation for the Guyana government to review the impact of its oil/gas policies on women.
Successfully lobbied UNCEDAW on the dangers of oil/gas, leading to a recommendation for the Guyana government to review the impact of its oil/gas policies on women.
Joined Their Excellencies Coly Seck, Michelle Bachelet, Didier Reynders, and Pradeep Kumar Gyawali in Geneva to oppose the Death Penalty.
Joined Their Excellencies Coly Seck, Michelle Bachelet, Didier Reynders, and Pradeep Kumar Gyawali in Geneva to oppose the Death Penalty.
Filed the Gaskin case – the first case to challenge ExxonMobil Guyana's oil drilling.
Filed the Gaskin case – the first case to challenge ExxonMobil Guyana's oil drilling.
Lobbying for LGBTI rights in Guyana
Lobbying for LGBTI rights in Guyana
Submitted a memorandum to President David Granger to end the death penalty. Signatories include Sir Sydney Kentridge KC, Sir Keir Starmer KC, the RT. Hon. Sir Stephen Sedley KC.
Delivered opening keynote speech on the Death Penalty and its connection to Slavery at Queen Mary, London University/Justice Institute Guyana Conference at Doughty St. Chambers, along with Sir Denis Byron
Submitted a memorandum to President David Granger to end the death penalty. Signatories include Sir Sydney Kentridge KC, Sir Keir Starmer KC, the RT. Hon. Sir Stephen Sedley KC.
Delivered opening keynote speech on the Death Penalty and its connection to Slavery at Queen Mary, London University/Justice Institute Guyana Conference at Doughty St. Chambers, along with Sir Denis Byron
Forced the Guyana government to demarcate Wapichan land at Sawariwau jointly with the Wapichan people.
Forced the Guyana government to demarcate Wapichan land at Sawariwau jointly with the Wapichan people.
Drafted an entire new law and introduced the concept of ecological integrity and principles of ecologically sustainable development into national law.
Drafted an entire new law and introduced the concept of ecological integrity and principles of ecologically sustainable development into national law.
Transformed the West Papua struggle from illegal secession to legal right to self-determination under international law. The legal argument can be found here.
Transformed the West Papua struggle from illegal secession to legal right to self-determination under international law. The legal argument can be found here.
Co-founded the International Lawyers for West Papua with Benny Wenda.
Co-founded the International Lawyers for West Papua with Benny Wenda.
Enabled Guyana’s WaiWai people to create a WaiWai owned and managed protected area. Their story is told here.
Enabled Guyana’s WaiWai people to create a WaiWai owned and managed protected area. Their story is told here.
Drafted an entirely new law to recognise and protect indigenous and non-indigenous Amerindian land ownership, collective rights and control of minerals.
Drafted an entirely new law to recognise and protect indigenous and non-indigenous Amerindian land ownership, collective rights and control of minerals.
Successfully persuaded the Guyana government to include the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental constitutional right.
Successfully persuaded the Guyana government to include the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental constitutional right.
Drafted the Constitutional principle that national wellbeing depends on preserving clean air, fertile soils, pure water and the rich diversity of plants, animals and ecosystems
Drafted the Constitutional principle that national wellbeing depends on preserving clean air, fertile soils, pure water and the rich diversity of plants, animals and ecosystems
Introduced environmental impact assessments into national law, including impacts on atmosphere, climate and oceans; introduced the concept of natural capital into national law.
Introduced environmental impact assessments into national law, including impacts on atmosphere, climate and oceans; introduced the concept of natural capital into national law.