A guide to climate lawyering: How you can use your day job to save the planet

As part of our 75th Anniversary we are spotlighting key issues and topics that look to the future of the profession, starting with how you can use your skills and knowledge as a Scottish solicitor to save the planet in honour of Earth Day. Hannah L Moneagle, a Court Solicitor specialising in social welfare in the Highlands and Islands, shares her experience as an environmentalist, as well as a Solicitor, and how the two come together.

By day I am a social welfare lawyer but, by night (and any other moment of free time), I’m an environmentalist.

Having gained some experience as a planning lawyer, in 2022, I prepared a legal case on a pro-bono basis for a community group who wanted to challenge the destruction of their local woodland which was to be developed into seven luxury homes. With the assistance of the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland (where I am a voluntary Associate) and Scott Blair, Advocate, we took the campaign to the Court of Session in February 2023 on petition for Judicial Review and won. The decision reached by the planning authority’s Local Review Body to grant permission to the housing developer was quashed and the woodland and its many wildlife inhabitants were saved. 

In the same year, at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, whilst Director and Principal Solicitor of the Grampian Community Law Centre, I established Scotland’s first student-led Climate Clinic, designed to assist people and the planet through the provision of free legal advice on matters concerning planning, development, the environment, and animal law.  It teaches students about important climate-related topics not on the standard curriculum to develop a base knowledge to take with them into the professional world. 

I am currently working on a pro bono basis with the Govan Law Centre on a Judicial Review to save a cherished greenspace and vital wetland and grassland area in the community of Torry in Aberdeen which is to be developed into an industrial site as part of an “Energy Transition Zone”. 

Based on my experience, on this Earth Day, I offer the alternative lawyer’s guide to taking action/feeling useful during climate breakdown and a biodiversity crisis in four easy steps: 

1. Consider what legal skills you have and how you can use these to best effect. Many firms will allow you to offer work on a pro bono basis; why not use that time to help the planet.  This could be advising on similar environmental campaigns to those mentioned, assisting organisations with consultation responses relating to environmental matters; assisting with planning objections, and more, depending upon your skill set;
2. Volunteer your skills to a University Law Clinic which specialises in environmental law. For example, the Climate Clinic at Robert Gordon University; the University of Glasgow has a policy clinic which operates in association with the Environmental Law Foundation; and there are other clinics in the Scottish University Law Clinic Network who may require pro bono advice and assistance in environmental work from time to time;
3. Offer your skills to an environmental charity where you can assist by picking up the legal aspects. Issues that arise can be wide-ranging yet help you to develop your skill set whilst also playing a part in helping the planet.  I am a Director and the Legal Trustee for the rewilding charity, Scotland: The Big Picture.  I have reviewed and drafted legal contracts, directed strategy and policy, and much more, all while continuing to learn about the positive impact nature recovery can have on the climate; and lastly;
4. Join a community endeavour: beach cleans, community woodlands, citizen science. Not only will these activities allow you to be hands-on in attempting to make a difference for the planet, but often legal issues arise and you could be vital in helping to resolve these. I’m the Secretary of Dingwall Community Woodland, which is a community-led project regenerating 25 acres of donated former grazing land into a community woodland, orchard, and wildflower meadow.  I consider any legal aspects that arise, but also take part in the planting days.

In the famous words of Leonardo Di Caprio, “Climate change is real; it is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating. You are the last best hope of Earth.”  Imagine if every Scottish lawyer did a little something; the humble acorn may soon become a mighty Oak.