Cullinan & Associates

Charlie, an elephant who was in a circus before spending more than two decades at the Pretoria Zoo, has now arrived at his new home at the Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo! Sarah Kvalsvig and Lesai Seema, biodiversity lawyers at Cullinan & Associates, have been advising the EMS Foundation on this project to retire Charlie to the Reserve. Read the full media statement here:

Cullinan & Associates Director Cormac Cullinan published his groundbreaking book, Wild Law, 21 years ago. Since then it has only become more relevant. In this in-depth interview with Don Pinnock for Daily Maverick, Cormac outlines his vision for how we can re-imagine our legal systems to make ecological conservation and living harmoniously with Nature their central purpose, instead of focussing on legitimising the exploitation of Earth.

Charley, an elephant who was in a circus before spending more than two decades at the Pretoria Zoo is at last being relocated to a nature reserve for his last years. Sarah Kvalsvig and Lesai Seema, biodiversity lawyers at Cullinan & Associates, have been advising the EMS Foundation on the project to retire Charley to Shambala Private Nature Reserve. It is hoped he will eventually be integrated into Shambala’s resident elephant herd!

We a privileged to be representing Natural Justice and Greenpeace Africa in applying to the ConCourt to put an end to Shell's right to explore for oil and gas off the Wild Coast. #Shell #WildCoast #oilandgas

The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal by Shell, Impact Africa and the Department of Mineral Resoruces and Energy of the Makhanda High Court judgement which set aside the exploration right and subsequent renewals granted to Shell to conduct oil and gas exploration off the Wild Coast. The High Court found that the right was granted unlawfully because of the failure to notify and consult affected communities. While the SCA has agreed and upheld this decision, Ponnan J declined to set aside Shell's exploration right and renewal decisions in their entirety, favouring what he termed a more “pragmatic” approach “in crafting just and equitable remedies in the exercise of its wide remedial powers.” As a result, it held that, while the exploration right was granted unlawfully, a renewal of the unlawfully granted right may yet be granted. Shell is refocusing its business on opening new oil and gas fields that will fuel catastrophic climate change and threaten the lives and human rights of millions of people, particularly in Africa. There is a tragic irony in the SCA using its constitutional powers to grant “a just and equitable remedy” not to protect the human rights of current and future generations, but to preserve Shell’s application to renew its exploration right. #Shell #SCA #oil #gas

This morning Wild Coast communities and supporting organisations, including Cullinan & Associates, will be in the Supreme Court of Appeal to defend the groundbreaking High Court judgement which set aside Shell’s exploration right to explore for oil and gas off the Wild Coast of South Africa. #SaveTheWildCoast #OceansNotOil #JusticeWillPrevail #ShellSCA #ToHellwithShell #ClimateJusticeNOW

On Friday 17 May 2024, Wild Coast communities and supporting organisations, including Cullinan & Associates, will be in the Supreme Court of Appeal to defend the groundbreaking High Court judgement which set aside Shell’s exploration right to explore for oil and gas off the Wild Coast of South Africa. The persistence by Shell, Impact Africa and the state to overturn the judgment is a clear indication that these entities care more about corporate gains than upholding the rights of communities and protecting our planet. #SaveTheWildCoast #OceansNotOil #JusticeWillPrevail #ShellSCA #ToHellwithShell #ClimateJusticeNOW

We are thrilled to share the incredible news that Nonhle Mbuthuma and Sinegugu Zukulu, our allies in the case against Shell, have been jointly awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize! Nonhle and Sinegugu have been recognised for their courageous efforts in halting Shell's seismic blasting tests off the Wild Coast. Their tireless advocacy has been essential to the landmark court decisions declaring the seismic tests unlawful, safeguarding our precious marine environment and highlighting the importance of meaningful consultation with local communities and the protection of our natural heritage. This global honor underscores the vital role of grassroots activists like Nonhle and Sinegugu in addressing environmental challenges. Read more about their inspiring journey and the impact of their work in the article below: #GoldmanPrize #Shell #seismictesting #WildCoast #EnvironmentalActivism

Read our statement on the constitutional challenge to the criminalisation of psilocybin mushrooms! #constitution #psilocybin