Belize Bench and Bar

Belize Institute of Environmental Law and Policy (BELPO) Vice President and E-LAW partner Candy Gonzalez shaking hands with the Honorable Abdulai Conteh, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

"I paid special attention and recognition of the role Candy Gonzalez played but for her fortuitous presence in NEAC representing BACONGO and the other agencies the case* might not have seen the light of day. It is one public issue case that no costs was awarded against the losing side, by the trial court, in the Court of Appeal and even the Privy Council."

Honorable Abdulai Conteh
Chief Justice
Supreme Court of Belize

* The judicial review of the the EIA regulations in relation to the building of the Chalillo Dam.

On January 20, 2006, E-LAW U.S. joined the Belize Institute of Environmental Law and Policy (BELPO) to co-host the Seventh Annual Belize Bench and Bar Summit. Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh of the Supreme Court of Belize says this is the only event of its kind in the Caribbean. The focus of this year`s Summit was "Sustainable Development: Challenges for the Environment and the Law."

E-LAW U.S. Board Chair David Hunter, a professor at American University`s Washington College of Law, delivered a keynote address, as did E-LAW partner Patricio Martin Sanchez of the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA). E-LAW partner Candy Gonzalez of BELPO was a featured presenter.

Belize faces serious environmental threats and it is good news that the Summit this year focused on the challenges of protecting the environment.

Left to right: Michel Chebat, President of the Belize Bar Association; the Honorable Abdulai Conteh, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Candy Gonzalez, BELPO; David Hunter, E-LAW U.S. Board Chair; Patricio Martin, Cancun office of the Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental Mexican (CEMDA); and Antoinette Moore, BELPO.

On Belize`s Channel 7 news that evening, Bar President Michel Chebat said the Summit sent a clear message that laws concerning the environment in Belize will be enforced.

Belize has only had one true environmental lawsuit to date, commonly referred to as the "BACONGO case," to protect the Macal River watershed from a proposed hydroelectric facility. This case exposed deficiencies in Belize`s enforcement of environmental laws, particularly the lack of public participation in environmental decision-making.

The Bench and Bar Summit is a step in the right direction and sheds light on the potential for motivated citizens to use the law to protect the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and all of Belize`s natural heritage.
E-LAW U.S. thanks the Summit Foundation for its support of E-LAW`s work to protect the Mesoamerican Reef.