Abstract

The inherent structural features of environmental problems cause environmental law to be written in a particular way and have led to the creation of novel adjudicative institutions, such as specialist environment courts and tribunals. But they also force us to view core constitutional principles, such as the rule of law and separation of powers, from different perspectives. By placing greater weight on certain components of these principles and lessening the force of others, solving environmental problems through law is rebalancing legal thought. Using New Zealand as a case study, this article explores how the legal infrastructure might respond to this contextual force by ensuring decision-making institutions operate with integrity and reflect public reasoned thoughtfulness, so fostering the rule of law within this unusual legal landscape.

中文翻译：

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环境与法律：语境的规范力量与宪政挑战

摘要

环境问题的固有结构特征导致以特定方式编写环境法，并导致建立了新颖的审判机构，例如专门的环境法院和法庭。但是，它们也迫使我们从不同的角度看待核心宪法原则，例如法治和权力分立。通过更加重视这些原则的某些组成部分并减少其他原则的作用，通过法律解决环境问题正在重新平衡法律思想。本文以新西兰为例，探讨了法律基础设施如何通过确保决策机构诚信运作并反映公众理性的思想态度来应对这种背景力量，从而在这种不寻常的法律环境中促进法治。