More

Martin Morgan-Taylor

Job: Associate Professor

Faculty: Business and Law

School/department: Leicester De Montfort Law School

Research group(s): Consumer Law

Address: The Gateway, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, LE1 9BH

T: +44 (0)116 2577177 ext 7191

E: mart@dmu.ac.uk

W: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/bal

 

Close all sections
Open all sections

Personal profile

Martin researches the legal impact of light pollution. Namely the issues raised by wasted carbon emissions and wasted money from wasted light, harm to human and animal health, as well as the loss of the night sky and the relevancy of dark sky places.

Martin also researches consumer protection, particularly the protection of consumers against unfair commercial practices and terms, as well as protection when buying online.

Research group affiliations

Consumer Law, light pollution    

Publications and outputs

  • Regulating Light Pollution in Europe: Legal Challenges and Ways Forward
    dc.title: Regulating Light Pollution in Europe: Legal Challenges and Ways Forward dc.contributor.author: Morgan-Taylor, Martin dc.description.abstract: Light pollution raises important regulatory issues based on risks to human health, ecological and environmental harm. Questions arise as to whether it should be regulated, and, if so, how. There has been recent regulation across the world. European examples include Slovenia, France, a number of Italian regions and the UK. There are also initiatives pertaining to lighting at European level, such as the EU Eco Design of Energy Using Products Directives, a review of LED street lighting, and a Council of Europe Resolution based on human rights and the environment. The purpose of this paper is to show that the effective regulation of light pollution requires a complete understanding of the problem, and a strategy specifically designed to address the whole problem. This paper will first outline the main problems warranting regulation, and a legal definition for light pollution will be suggested. Secondly, the arguments for and against the regulation of artificial lighting will be evaluated. Thirdly, the different forms of legal regulation will be explored in Europe by way of case studies (taking France, Italy and the UK), and the key elements of best practice for guidance will be presented. This paper will exclusively address external and not internal artificial lighting at night.
  • Global Apporaches to Legislation for Light Pollution
    dc.title: Global Apporaches to Legislation for Light Pollution dc.contributor.author: Morgan-Taylor, Martin dc.description.abstract: Artificial light at night raises regulatory questions. There is a presumption that light at night is beneficial to safety, security and essential to business and sport after dark. However there is a dark side to light at night, as it also creates a broad range of problems. namely risks to human health, ecology, safety and harm to the natural environment, including the night sky. Light pollution is also wasted energy and money. Consequently it raises regulatory questions in the form of whether it should be regulated at all, and if so how, by law or guidance? A growing number of countries now regulate light pollution. Regulation can be done either under energy, human health or environmental controls, or by special regulation addressing all of these problems. This paper will critically evaluate a selection of the different regulatory approaches and suggest best practice.
  • Regulating Artificial Light at Night: A Comparison Between the South Korean and English Approaches
    dc.title: Regulating Artificial Light at Night: A Comparison Between the South Korean and English Approaches dc.contributor.author: Morgan-Taylor, Martin; Kim, Jeong Tai dc.description.abstract: Artificial light at night is associated with safety and security, and the expression well-lit is usually taken to mean brightly lit. Without it human leisure and commercial activities would cease at dusk. However, emerging research indicates that there are problems associated with its use, and these problems are becoming more pronounced with modern lighting practices. It is these problems, which are usually called light pollution, which warrant regulation. This paper will first outline the reasons why artificial light at night should be regulated; it will then explore the different types of possible regulation, and discuss which forms may offer the best opportunities for good, sustainable lighting. It will finally critically evaluate the “bolt-on” subjective approach of the United Kingdom by way of nuisance and planning regulation, with the merits of the objective metrics system used by the South Korean Light Pollution Prevention Act 2013. dc.description: Joint research with Professor Jeong Tai Kim, Kyung Hee University, Republic of Korea. This is an Open Access journal
  • Law of contract
    dc.title: Law of contract dc.contributor.author: Morgan-Taylor, Martin
  • Consumer protection
    dc.title: Consumer protection dc.contributor.author: Willett, Chris; Morgan-Taylor, Martin
  • The Legal Methods of Controlling Light Pollution in the UK
    dc.title: The Legal Methods of Controlling Light Pollution in the UK dc.contributor.author: Morgan-Taylor, Martin
  • Dark skies in the UK
    dc.title: Dark skies in the UK dc.contributor.author: McNally, Derek; Morgan-Taylor, Martin
  • Recognising the limits of transparency in EU consumer law.
    dc.title: Recognising the limits of transparency in EU consumer law. dc.contributor.author: Morgan-Taylor, Martin; Willett, Chris
  • The construction of consent in cases of male rape and sexual assault
    dc.title: The construction of consent in cases of male rape and sexual assault dc.contributor.author: Morgan-Taylor, Martin; Rumney, Phil
  • The draft regulations- the directive on certain aspects of the sale and supply of goods and associated guarantees
    dc.title: The draft regulations- the directive on certain aspects of the sale and supply of goods and associated guarantees dc.contributor.author: Morgan-Taylor, Martin; Naidoo, Andre

View a full listing of Professor Martin Morgan-Taylor's publications and outputs.

Key research outputs

The Legal Methods of Controlling Light Pollution in the UK
Morgan-Taylor, M. (2012) The Legal Methods of Controlling Light Pollution in the UK. in Conference proceedings, pp 257-276, 19 September 2012, Seoul, Korea.

Morgan-Taylor, M. and Willet C, ‘Recognising the Limits of Transparency in EU Consumer Law’ in Kenny and Deveny (eds) European Consumer Protection in Europe, publisher CUP 2012.

Robert Lockwood, Tony Selwyn & Martin Morgan-Taylor, A Review of Local Authority Road Lighting Initiatives Aimed at Reducing Costs, Carbon Emissions and Light Pollution, Temple Report for Defra, 2011.

Research interests/expertise

Martin researches and acts as a consultant for Defra and others concerning the legal aspects of light pollution. This covers the wasted carbon emissions and wasted money from wasted light, harm to human and animal health, as well as the loss of the night sky and the creation of dark sky places. He is also involved with the C.I.E. over its guidance for minimising light pollution.

Martin also researches consumer protection, particularly the protection of consumers against unfair commercial practices and terms, as well as protection when buying online.

Areas of teaching

  • Undergraduate- LL.B. BA. Consumer Law, E Commerce, Commercial Law.
  • Postgraduate- LL.M in Business Law. Consumer Law, E Commerce Law, Light Pollution.
  • PhD supervisor.

Qualifications

 

Courses taught

Undergraduate- LL.B. BA

Postgraduate- LL.M in Business Law

PhD supervisor

Honours and awards

International Darksky Association, Galileo Award, October 2011, for legal efforts to protect the night sky from light pollution.

Campaign for Dark Skies, Joy Griffiths Award, December 2007, for legal efforts to reduce light pollution.

International Darksky Association, Certificate of Appreciation, August 2007, for legal efforts to reduce light pollution.

International Darksky Association, Executive Director Special Award, August 2007, for legal efforts to reduce light pollution.

Membership of external committees

Vice President, International Darksky Association 2011- 13

Board Member, International Darksky Association 2007-2017

Legal Adviser, UK Comission for Dark Skies 1997-

Membership of professional associations and societies

  • Member, Higher Education Academy (current).
  • Member, UK division of the C.I.E. (International Illumination Commission).
  • Fellow, Royal Astronomical Society.
  • Vice President, International Dark Sky Association 2011- 2013, Board Member, 2008- 2016 & Chair, International Committee 2010-2016.

Conference attendance

8th Sustainable Healthy Buildings Conference, Seoul, September 2012.

Planning, Exterior Lighting and the Environment, April 2012, de Montfort University, Leicester.

Light Pollution Legislation and Guidance Update, ILP London Regional Meeting, 8th September 2011.

UK and European Legislative Moves in Obtrusive Lighting, 22nd Annual General Meeting and Conference, IDA, New Jersey, USA, April 2011.

UK Light Pollution Laws and Initiatives, 21st Annual General Meeting and Conference, IDA, Arizona, USA, 26th June 2010.

Morgan-Taylor, M. and Willet C, ‘Recognising the Limits of Transparency in EU Consumer Law’, European Consumer Protection in Europe, University of Leeds, December 2009.

The Protection of the Night Sky, Starlight 2009 UNESCO workshop and discussion, La Palma, November 2009.

The Protection of the Night Sky, Starlight 2009 UNESCO workshop and discussion, Fuerteventura, March 2009.

Example Light Pollution Laws of Earth, The Role of Astronomy and Culture, International Astronomical Union Symposium 260, UNESCO, Paris. Jan. 2009.

A UK Empirical Study on Light Nuisance, 8th 7th European Symposium on the Protection of the Night Sky, Light Pollution and Global Warming, Austria, Sept. 2008.

A UK Empirical Study on Light Nuisance, 20th Annual general Meeting and Conference, IDA, Arizona, USA, June 2008.

Defra “Roll Out” Programme, Light as a Statutory Nuisance, Bath, February, 2008 (As a technical advisor to Defra).

Defra “Roll Out” Programme, Light as a Statutory Nuisance, Manchester, February, 2008 (As a technical advisor to Defra).

Global Light Pollution Laws, 7th European Symposium on the Protection of the Night Sky, Light Pollution and Global Warming, Bled, Slovenia, October 2007.

Light Pollution as a Statutory Nuisance, talk to EHO Local Group, Worcester, July 2007.

Experience and Development of Regulations in Defence of the Night Sky, “Starlight 2007” conference, La Palma, April 2007. 

Light Pollution as a Statutory Nuisance, National Society of Clean Air Conference, London 14th February, 2007.

Light Pollution, at "Environment: Survival and Sustainability", February 2007, at the Near East University, Northern Cyprus.

Light Pollution, Nuisance and the Law, September 2006, 5th European Dark Sky Symposium, Portsmouth, September 2006.

Light Pollution and Statutory Nuisance, SLS Conference, Keele, 2006.

Lighting as a Statutory Nuisance, delivered at the Institute of Lighting Engineers National Conference, Manchester, Oct. 2006.

Consultancy work

Consultant for Temple on the legal aspects of light pollution.

Current research students

Tim Higham, statutory nuisance.

Professional esteem indicators

  • Member, CIE Technical Committee 5.28. Updating the Guide on the Limitation of the Effects of Obtrusive Light.
  • Member, ILP working group updating the Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light.
  • Member, The Protection of the Night Sky workshops, Starlight 2009 UNESCO, Fuerteventura, March 2009 and Starlight 2009 UNESCO, La Palma, November 2009.

Case studies

An advisor to Government and local authorities on light pollution; a major contributor to the DEFRA Review of Local Authority Road Lighting Initiatives Aimed at Reducing Costs, Carbon Emissions and Light Pollution, 2011.

Our UK questionnaire for the European Commission Digital Content Services report (University of Amsterdam), September 2011, has been commended, and is being used to help form European policy with respect to digital services.

Martin Morgan-Taylor