As the legal landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, staying ahead of the curve has never been more critical for lawyers and their clients. In our ongoing commitment to providing unparalleled legal intelligence, this latest installment of our Expert’s Edge series we sit down with Stephen Blakeley BA LLB, senior legal editor, to find out how environmental law in New Zealand affects different aspects of our lives.
What does your role as a legal editor at Thomson Reuters entail?
I’m a Senior Editor, Writer and Editorial Coordinator with the Commentary team at Thomson Reuters New Zealand, where I have worked for almost 20 years. My role includes editorial responsibility for a number of publications, including Resource Management, Salmon Environmental Law, Building Law in New Zealand, Green and Hunt on Arbitration Law and Practice and Environmental Handbook. I am the in-house author for Salmon Environmental Law, and I also write the case summaries for our weekly environmental bulletin YourEnvironment (also available daily on Alert 24). My typical weekly work involves a mix of writing and editing manuscripts, coordinating with contributing authors and assisting with team administration. I work with our Production and Technology teams to ensure our content is available as quickly as possible on Westlaw New Zealand, Proview and in looseleaf.
What is it about environmental law that interests you?
My main area of practice is environmental law. It is fascinating as it is a fast-changing, dynamic area of law, particularly at the moment with the Government’s upcoming change in the resource management system. It is also interesting as the environment, and our interaction with it, has a real and tangible impact on all our lives.
What are some of the key developments currently shaping environmental law?
The Government is in the process of replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 with new legislation, expected to be passed into law next year. We anticipate considerable extra work as we revise our publications to provide analysis and guidance on the new system.
How does Westlaw consistently provide the most current, comprehensive, and accurate legal information in environmental law?
Westlaw New Zealand provides comprehensive coverage of environmental law, with a vast case database along with comprehensive commentary, workflows, precedents and current awareness updates. Our legislation team quickly adds new legislation to Westlaw New Zealand and consolidates amendments into existing Acts. Our author team of experienced practitioners regularly reviews case law and legislative developments, updating and expanding commentary to provide relevant analysis.
Anything else you’d like to share?
A useful tip for our Westlaw New Zealand customers is to set up Alert 24 Publication Alerts. For example, an Alert 24 YourEnvironment alert will give you the latest environmental legislation, case law, news and Thomson Reuters product developments in your inbox every morning.
Expert author teams
Resource Management
Matt Conway BCA, LLB Partner, Simpson Grierson
Luke Hinchey LLB, MPlanPrac (Hons) Partner, Chapman Tripp
Briar Gordon MA, LLB (Hons), PhD Senior Parliamentary Counsel, Parliamentary Counsel Office
Duncan Laing BA, LLM Duncan Laing Advisory
Mike Wakefield LLB, BSc (Geography) Partner, Simpson Grierson
James Winchester BA, LLB Barrister
Helen Atkins LLB Commissioner/Barrister
Salmon Environmental Law
Alan Dormer LLB (Hons), MPP, Barrister
Brian Putt BA, DipTP, Dip AF, Planning Consultant
Karenza de Silva LLB (Otago), LLM (Envir) (Hons) (Auckland), Environmental Lawyer
Stuart Ryan LLB, MSc (Hons), Barrister
David Mead BTP, MNZPI, Urban Planner
Thank you to Stephen Blakeley, senior legal editor and his team of expert authors in environment and resource management. As a legal professional, if you are in need of the most up-to-date and trusted environment and resource management legal content in New Zealand, look no further than the Environment & Resources Practice Area on Westlaw New Zealand.
Other articles in The Expert’s Edge series: Current Civil Litigation insights, Current Employment insights, Current Aviation and Space insights, Current Criminal insights and Local Government insights.
