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Studia Iuridica

AMICUS CURIAE: A TOOL TO ADVANCE THE RECOGNITION OF NATURE AS A SUBJECT OF RIGHTS

2025, 109, No. 1

Claudia Brindis

Gustavo Hernandez

DOI

10.31338/2544-3135.si.2025-109.7

Publication date

29.06.2026

Publishing model

open access

License type

CC BY 4.0 Int.

Field

law studies

Discipline

law

Language of publication

English

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PDF 286 KB

Article

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Number of downloads:5

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Abstract

In recent decades, the recognition of Nature as a subject of rights has gained momentum, especially in Latin America. Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, and other countries have made significant progress in granting legal personality to ecosystems, rivers, and mountains, defending their existence and well-being as if they were entities with their own rights. One of the most powerful tools that has contributed to this progress is the amicus curiae, or ‘friend of the court’, which allows third parties to intervene in judicial proceedings by providing arguments, information, and perspectives that can influence judicial decisions. This paper will explore how amicus curiae has been fundamental to the recognition of Nature as a subject of rights in Latin America, both in epistemic, judicial, and legislative terms, and how they have helped build the legal frameworks that support the idea that Nature has intrinsic values.

Keywords:

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