A presentation on animal law at domestic and international levels was delivered to Kent LLM students by Dr Yoriko Otomo as part of the of the 2016/17 series of LLM Environmental Law Guest Seminars.
Dr Otomo offered thought-provoking observations on how animals are regulated in different kinds of laws, describing the historical background of international animal law and ranging over different kinds of laws on keeping animals, animal trade and animal protection. The presentation stressed the differing legal status of certain animals, such as: dogs (the oldest human companion); cows (which are used for a range of purposes); and the international law on protection of elephants (which have a distinct conservation status). Dr Otomo explained the problem of the use of animals by humans try to gain mastery and power through hunting, racing and sexual dominance, and also analysed the international regulations on trade of ivory to secure power and profit at the expense of rare species.
LLM student Olalekan Akeem Adebayo said: ‘The seminar presentation for LLM Environmental Law students added considerably to knowledge and awareness of animal law and the relevance of this at national and international levels.’
Dr Otomo achieved her PhD from the University of Melbourne, before becoming a sessional lecturer at Birbeck, University of London and a lecturer at Keele University respectively. She currently lectures International Environmental law at SOAS, University of London and is a visiting fellow at the Oxford Centre for Global History, the University of Oxford and the University of New South Wales. Among her many publications in the field of animal law is her most recent book Unconditional Life: The International law Settlement.
The student organising team for the second seminar in the series comprised: Chairperson: Maria Fernanda Gutiérrez; Introducer: Sarita Suriyasin (who welcomed the speaker in Japanese); and Reporter: Olalekan Akeem Adebayo.
The LLM Environmental Law Seminar Series has been designed specifically for students with an interest in the environmental law modules offered within the School’s one-year Master’s in Law programme, the Kent LLM.
Kent LLM students can graduate with a specialism in either Environmental Law or International Environmental Law by (i) opting to study at least three (out of six) modules from those associated with the specialism of their choice and by (ii) focusing the topic of their dissertation on their chosen specialism.
More information about environmental law research, events and academics at Kent can be found on the Environmental Law mini-site. More information about studying the Kent LLM (and choosing your specialism) can be found on our postgraduate pages.