Uruguayan Education and others vs MVOTMA and others Country/Territory Uruguay Type of court National - higher court Date Aug 15, 2012 Source UNEP, InforMEA Court name Tribunal de Apelaciones en lo Civil de 6ºTº Seat of court Montevideo Judge Dra. Elena MARTÍNEZ, Dra. Selva Anabella KLETT FERNANDEZ, Dr. Felipe Javier HOUNIE SANCHEZ Reference number 212/2012 Language Spanish Subject Land & soil Abstract A case concerning the liability of the authorities due to their inaction in fighting the erosion caused by the river in the city of la Floresta. The plaintiff argued that the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of the Transport and the Municipality were liable for the damages caused by the erosion because they did not take any appropriate measures to protect the coastal landscape, urban infrastructures and houses neighbouring the river and the estuary, even a technical report realised in 2000 highlighted the importance of taking such protection measures. The court recognized the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment and of the Municipality but not the one of the ministry of the Transport because it was not considered to have competency in that matter. The court condemned the Ministry of the Environment and the Municipality to financially compensate the owners of damaged buildings, and to engage into public work to rehabilitate the streets, houses and public utilities that have been damaged by the erosion. Full text Sentencia Nº 212 2012.pdf