2010 marks the 17th year of the prestigious Garlicke & Bousfield Environmental Law Award which recognises the top environmental law student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). This year, Verusha Moodley and Rishal Bipraj will both receive the coveted prize having achieved the same mark in the final examination.

Chairman of Garlicke and Bousfield, Richard Pemberton says, “Awarding the efforts of top students is our way of motivating them. We realise that upholding environmental regulation is a significant part of society which is often neglected. The environmental law course which is part of the law curriculum at UKZN is pertinent to every law graduate and active participation must be encouraged.”

Rishal Bipraj (22) of Tongaat critically analysed the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR, 1982) as part of his final assignment.

“The assignment was indeed a challenge, one I enjoyed immensely. I have concluded from my research that the sustainable use of Marine Living Resources is an ongoing issue that should be consistently evaluated. Since the course, I have registered for a Masters Program in Environmental Law at UKZN because it has helped me appreciate ways where the law can benefit the environment,” he says.

Verusha Moodley (21) of Shallcross investigated the International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties, 1969.

“In 1967 the Torrey Canyon ran aground while entering the English Channel and spilled 120,000 tons of crude oil into the sea. This resulted in the biggest oil pollution incident ever recorded up to that time. The incident raised questions about what measures were in place to prevent oil pollution from ships. It was essentially this incident that led to the adoption of a host of conventions in the field of liability and compensation. This was a fascinating topic to explore and one that piqued my interest in pursuing a more permanent role in environmental affairs,” says Moodley.

Both awardees named Professor Ed Couzens, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law, UKZN as their inspiration to pursue a Masters in Environmental Law. They both agreed that his passion for the subject was awe-inspiring.

Professor Couzens says: “The environmental law course runs for just one semester and I used the opportunity to stimulate the curiosity of my students. Both Versuha and Rishal are diligent students who excelled in the course. It is interesting to note that over the past 15 years there have been several environmental statutes which give South Africa the strongest framework for environmental protection in the world. These statutes now affect many other areas of law, especially criminal law and property law; however there is still a desperate need for lawyers to become involved in environmental issues. Until environmental law forms part of the mainstream of legal consciousness there will certainly be problems enforcing it.”

Both students were presented with their prize at the Garlicke & Bousfield’s Environmental Law Seminar held on Thursday, 20 March 2010.

Richard Pemberton on 031 5705300
Professor Ed Couzens on 031 260 2557
Rishal Bipraj on 0822549578
Verusha Moodley on 072 809 4871