Speakers‘ contributions: National Judges and the EU Aarhus Acquis – Focus on Access to Justice

Setting the scene

• Introduction to the Aarhus Convention
• EU environmental law and the Aarhus Convention

Overview of the 1st and 2nd pillars of the Aarhus Convention

• Access to information
• Public participation in environmental decision-making

3rd pillar of the Aarhus Convention: access to justice

• Right to bring a legal challenge (legal standing)
• Case study on public participation and legal standing – Focus on Industrial Emissions Directive
• Case study on public participation and legal standing – Focus on Industrial Emissions Directive - Solution
• Scope and standard of judicial review
• Effective remedies
• Litigation costs and time limits of the procedures
• Case study on judicial review and effective remedies – Focus on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive
• Case study on judicial review and effective remedies – Focus on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive - Solution

Enforcement at national level

• Preliminary reference procedure on interpretation and validity in the context of EU judicial protection in environmental matters
• Case study on the role of a judge when dealing with files on access to justice in environmental matters – preliminary ruling
• Case study on the role of a judge when dealing with files on access to justice in environmental matters – preliminary ruling - Solution

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