View From the Bench: Strengthening Environmental Governance in China's Courts

 A CEF, Vermont Law School, and Environmental Law Institute Co-sponsored Meeting 

To accommodate the growing number of pollution cases, Chinese courts are working to refine their expertise in environmental adjudication. For example, in 2007 local governments accelerated the creation of special environmental courts; today, China boasts nearly 90 such courts. To help fill gaps in environmental law expertise among China’s judges, the National Judges College in Beijing has embarked on a training and curriculum development program together with Vermont Law School. This joint program has culminated in a group of 16 judges and 1 lawyer taking training courses this summer in Vermont Law School and then visiting NYC, DC, and San Francisco.

On August 9th, CEF, Vermont Law School, and the Environmental Law Institute will co-sponsor a meeting to explore emerging developments in environmental law in China. Three speakers from the National Judges College delegation will discuss environmental cases they have overseen, while showcasing efforts to build the “green” capacity of those on the bench. ELI Senior Attorney Bruce Myers, who has been involved in ELI's longstanding Judicial Program and Siu Tip Lam from Vermont Law School will moderate these presentations.

Moderators: Bruce Myers, Environmental Law InstituteSiu Tip Lam, Vermont Law School 

Photo courtesy of s_falkow