Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LH Environmental Law
School	Birmingham Law School
Department	Law
Module Code	08 25048
Module Lead	Walters Nsoh
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	Law Programmes only
Contact Hours	Lecture-30 hours Seminar-6 hours Guided independent study-164 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to some of the key issues in environmental law and regulation. The module will be underpinned by the themes of sustainability, social justice and the potential (as well as the limits) of law to deliver environmental protection and sustainable development in a manner consistent with social justice. It will examine the development of environmental law, the policy dynamics that drive decision-making in the formulation of environmental laws and regulations, the principles underpinning environmental law and the different perspectives or theories that can be used both to provide an understanding of how environmental law functions at present as well as to set goals for future development of the law in this area. The module will provide students with an understanding of how the law seeks to regulate use of the environment, focusing on particular areas such as development control, pollution control, waste management, and risk assessment and management. The module will also focus on decision-making with regard to environmental matters, to include access to environmental information, public consultation and participation, and environmental litigation. The module will focus to a great extent on the system of environmental laws and regulations in the UK, but will also consider how this has been impacted by European and international environmental law. The broader themes and ideas underpinning the module will be explored by reference to examples taken from both the UK and other jurisdictions.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Identify the main tensions and challenges in environmental law and international environmental law Compare and critically assess the different theories and perspectives on protection of the environment Understand the framework of environmental law and regulations at UK level and how these are impacted by EU and international obligations Appreciate the relationship between policy choices/objectives and particular legal rules and provisions
Assessment	25048-01 : Online MCT : Exam (School Arranged) - MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) (30%) 25048-02 : Essay : Coursework (70%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: Multiple Choice Text – 60 minutes – 30% - locally timetabled Essay – 3,000 words – 70% Method(s) of reassessment: Resit failed component(s)
Other
Reading List