The Ministry for the Environment's Environmental Legal Assistance (ELA) Fund provides not-for-profit groups with financial assistance to advocate for an environmental issue of public interest in resource management cases heard at the Environment Court, higher courts, and at boards of inquiry (constituted under part 6AA of the RMA). The fund reimburses the costs of legal counsel and expert witnesses to a maximum of $40,000 + GST.
An independent advisory panel assesses applications for financial assistance against set criteria, and makes recommendations to the Ministry for the Environment.
If your group, as a submitter, wishes to apply to the fund for assistance and is concerned about timeframes for receiving a decision on funding due to the board of inquiry’s evidence exchange timetable, please contact the ELA Fund Team to discuss.