Legalese

Amicus curiae

An amicus curiae (literally "friend of the court") is someone who is not a party to a case who offers information that bears on the case but that has not been solicited by any of the parties to assist a court. This may take the form of legal opinion, testimony or learned treatise (the amicus brief) and is a way to introduce concerns ensuring that the possibly broad legal effects of a court decision will not depend solely on the parties directly involved in the case.

Indian Environmental Law- A Landscape

Indian Environmental Law is comprised of Legislative (Acts), Rules issued by Administrators, Regulators, Court & Tribunal Decisions. An outline chart of Legislative Acts, and Rules issued by the MOEF (Ministry of Environment & Forests) is given below.  

Readers must note that there are countless “Notifications” issued by Central, State and Union territory governments which constitute the primary working level details and guidelines for conducting business that has anything to do with the environment in India. Since it is impossible to list them all, I suggest the viewers to visit www.envfor.nic.in for more information.

The listing must be read as follows:

A- Amended followed by Year of Amendment

R-Repealed followed by Year of Repealing

In the present context of Indian Environmental Law

P&CP = Prevention & Control of Pollution (e.g. Air (P&CP) Act = Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution)

P = Protection (e.g. Environment (P) Act = Environment (Protection) Act)