Sir Crispin Agnew is a Queen’s Counsel (non practising). He is also a FRGS. At the Scottish Bar, he specialised in rural property and environmental law together with public law. He has authored books on Crofting Law, the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Acts and Title Conditions and Burdens. He regularly acted for parties in cases involving challenging or defending decisions made by the Scottish Government or Public Authorities particularly in the environmental field. He was a Patron of the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association and is a member of their wild law interest group. He is a member of the Royal Geographical Society’s Coastal and Marine Research Group.

Prior to requalifying as an advocate in 1982, Sir Crispin served in the army and became involved with the new policy of adventurous training. He was a member of, or led, a number of mountaineering and scientific expeditions to Greenland, the Antarctic, the Chilean Northern Icecap and the Himalayas which started his practical interest in the environment. He was a trustee of the John Muir Trust for 16 years, a charity concerned with protecting wild land and places.

Research

His research interests include, environmental governance and environmental courts, water issues including the environmental effects of hydro schemes and the personality of rivers, nature conservation and the rights of nature, community ownership, land reform and sustainable development, crofting, the sea and sea fishing.

Provisional titles for articles that are currently being researched include:

The effect of noise on wildlife and the environment; the failure of planning guidance etc. to address this issue.

Environmental assessments of “run of the river” hydro schemes; Is the assessment burden proportionate?

The obligations of the Crown Estate Scotland to protect the coastal and sea environment, particularly in relation to the impact of salmon and fish farming in the sea.

The history, development and sustainability of coastal crofting communities in Scotland taking account of the land reform agenda.

The development of Joint Services, and in particular Army, adventurous training policy; 1960 to 2000.

An analysis of the parliamentary bills promoting female succession to peerages, baronetcies and other dignities; What are the arising issues?

The “capacity” dichotomy for Mental Health Tribunals Scotland.