July and August have been months of important developments around climate, nature and human rights. From the protection of nature and climate action to protests, legal challenges and the right to dissent, this edition brings together some of the key stories and developments from the past two months. 

NB: We know this is only a small selection, if you have any news, solidarity call out or resource you want us to include in the next bulletin – don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] 

NEWS & COURT CASES

Europe

• More than 80% of Europe’s habitats are already in poor condition. Yet key EU nature laws are now under pressure to be weakened in the name of “simplification”. The Birds and Habitats Directives protect the foundation of Natura 2000 – Europe’s network of protected areas – and help safeguard biodiversity, clean water, healthy ecosystems and climate resilience. Hands Off Nature is calling on European decision-makers to protect, not weaken, these essential laws. Find out more and join the campaign: https://handsoffnature.eu/

• GLAN and CAN Europe regret the General of the European Union’s Court’s decision to decline to consider the compatibility of the EU’s 2030 climate targets with the EU’s obligations under environmental law, which highlights how difficult it remains for the public and NGOs to challenge inadequate climate targets — even as extreme weather events intensify across Europe and beyond. Read more

UK

• The judge has ruled at Preston Crown Court that a “terrorist connection” will not be added to the criminal damage convictions of five people who damaged windows and sprayed paint over the Burnley branch of Barclays during a Palestine Action protest. The five will be sentenced on 4 September. Read more

• The second trial of the #Filton25 has ended with no guilty verdicts against seven Palestine Action activists accused of criminal damage and violent disorder. The activists targeted Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence company whose drones are used by the Israeli military. The outcome raises questions about the ongoing prosecutions and the UK’s approach to arms exports and protest. Will there be another retrial – or will the government reconsider its support for arms licences? Read more

• One year ago, the UK Government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.Since then, more than 3,300 people have reportedly been arrested, including people holding placards in protest. Read more

• The UK’s highest court has granted permission to appeal the government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The decision comes a month after the Court of Appeal upheld the ban, introduced in July 2025.

Critics have argued that the proscription is a disproportionate use of counter-terrorism powers with serious implications for human rights.

The Supreme Court appeal will now allow the legality of the ban to be reconsidered. Read more

• Rajiv Menon has become the first barrister in UK legal history to face prosecution for contempt of court. A leading human rights lawyer, Menon is being prosecuted over remarks he made in his closing speech while defending Palestine Action activists on trial following a protest at an Elbit Systems UK arms factory. Learn more

RESOURCES & EVENTS

• Resource: What to do if the police try to turn you into their spy

About Legally Green

Since autumn of 2022, the Movement Hub coordinates Legally Green – an informal network of lawyers who support activists across Europe and activist-led legal support groups. The network has over 100 members from over 60 organizations in more than 20 countries in Europe.

The network operates via mailing list and meets bi-monthly to share experience, discuss cases, trends, get help, learn from each other to increase our collective capacities to resist legal repressions. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions, or wish to join the network.