..., it is not surprising that the court is better suited to the barrister’s style. For a zoologist, the lawyers’ day-to-day words, such as “affidavit”, “cross-examination”, “litigation” and “expert witness”, can be intimidating but, like all disciplines, the language of law can be learnt. However, words like “significant...

... or embarrassment discourages many ecologists from testifying as experts. This reluctance to appear in court is based not only on the personal experience of ecologists, but is also a result of the way scientists are trained in Australian universities. In particular, the lack of appropriate training...

... Orchardists have used electrified grids, which kill or injure flying-foxes, to “protect” fruit crops. In recent years legal challenges to this practice have been mounted on conservation and animal cruelty grounds. A 2001 Federal Court judgement prohibited use of one 6.4km grid because...

... The dilemma that confronts biologists who are called on to give evidence in court is generally how to predict the impact of a development on a ecosystem. Biologists are expected to give definite responses, whereas they are trained to assess impacts on the basis of probability under certain...

... The admissibility of evidence by expert witnesses and the role of expert evidence in environmental litigation before the New South Wales Land and Environment Court is examined. In particular, the role of expert evidence in merit appeals and civil enforcement is discussed. Guidelines...

... and appear frequently in some jurisdictions but are not regularly discussed in scientific circles. Evidence from the US suggests that even the threat of such litigation can stifle public comment and change scientific monitoring and reporting practices. Cases identified as SLAPPs mostly fail in court...

... driven from within the industry itself and through public awareness and associated complaints. Court proceedings have also helped test the legislation and standards and identify shortcomings. In the future more research needs to be undertaken to identify specific requirements of different animal groups...

... are analysed and differences between legal and science based approaches are discussed. Issues arising from application of the concept of endangered ecological community are discussed in the light of the interpretations provided by the Court of Appeal. Listing is a means to an end, and not an end in itself...