INTERACTION BETWEEN THE REGULATOR AND PRACTITIONERS IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS

摘要

Prosecution of environmental offences almost invariably involves the presentation of complex evidence to a court, dealing with the causation of an offence, and its implications, in terms of harm or potential for harm to the environment, to flora and fauna, and to human health. As the principal environmental regulator for England, the Environment Agency issues environmental permits and then goes on to monitor, investigate and prosecute breaches. Additionally the Agency prosecutes environmental offences where there may be whole scale illegal activity outside of the regulatory regime. The Agency relies upon evidence to set its permits and subsequently to justify interventions in situations where operations may have an adverse impact on the environment or are already having such effects.