Sustainability Law and Governance Clinic
Delivering support to communities
Throughout the world communities face sustainability and environmental law challenges. The Sustainability Law and Governance Clinic works with partner organisations to provides associated research support that can be used for advocacy and capacity building.
Gain specialist knowledge and relevant skills
The SLG Clinic was established in 2025 and provides opportunities for LLM students to engage with specific practical challenges that are faced by communities. In doing so, it is possible for students to develop and hone new skills and provide practical support to partner organisations where it is needed.
At the undergraduate level the SLG clinic works with 3rd year students who can undertake capstone projects relating to the environment and sustainability.
Project focus
Owino Uhuru Judgments
In 2025 our project partner the Centre for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA) asked if we could provide a synthesis report relating to the Owino Uhuru Judgments in Kenya.
The Owino Uhuru community was situated next to a lead battery processing factory that was causing pollution. The factory caused death and severe illness for many people. The action of CJGEA led to the factory being shut down. The court case went up to the Kenyan Supreme Court where CJGEA were successful in their claim for compensation (roughly US $15 million).
Although the judgment was a success, the community did not receive the compensation that was due to them, hence the reason for needing a synthesis report to use for advocacy purposes.
Lukman Audu – a student from the 24-25 LLM cohort, wrote the report, which synthesises the case and makes recommendations on the ways that CJGEA and the community can seek to have the Supreme Court’s judgment enforced.
Capstone Projects
During the third year of the LLM undergraduate degree, one of the capstone options is provided by the SLG clinic. During the 2025-26 year, students worked on projects related to Energy Transitions and Justice. Through the SLG clinic, third-year students at Essex Law School worked together to provide a detailed report on a specific theme within energy justice. The theme, which draws on sustainability, looks at the extent to which the energy justice concept and its framework could be used to promote and accelerate the transition to clean energy in Global South countries. They looked at this theme through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13.
This project will equip third-year students with the skills needed to collaborate effectively as a team in achieving set goals and objectives. It will also help develop their communication skills and boost their confidence in advancing environmental protection and sustainability causes.
Getting involved
The Sustainability Law and Governance Clinic currently offers project-based work for Essex Law School students in the environmental law oriented LLM programmes and capstone projects for 3rd year LLB students.
If you are interested please contact the SLG Clinic Director Dr Stephen Turner (s.j.turner@essex.ac.uk).
Would you like to partner with us?
If you’re an organisation interested in partnering with the Sustainability Law and Governance Clinic, please contact the Clinic Director Dr Stephen Turner (s.j.turner@essex.ac.uk).
