Changing landscapes: a legal geography of the River Severn

Buffery, Caroline Adelaide (2016). Changing landscapes: a legal geography of the River Severn. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Debates in legal geography have highlighted that there is a need to develop a more creative approach in order to understand the intersections between law and geography. This paper proposes that this imbrication can be investigated by using a Sequent Legal Occupance (SLO) method of analysis in legal geography research.

By modifying Whittlesey’s notion of sequent occupance, the study historically and chronologically investigates River Severn in relation to two activities, navigation and fishing, to understand the correlation between law and geography as a process of mutual constitution. It identifies the ways in which law has been present within the landscape in terms of ‘occupance’ and ‘impress’ to indicate the complex, multi layered and multi-dimensional ways in which law and geography are woven together in a particular setting.

This sequence of events is presented as the ‘Severnscape’, a fusion of landscape and lawscape which illustrates the ways in which the relationships between space, place and law are constantly being negotiated, changing, reforming, and performing. I argue that such an approach can be used to better understand the correlation and co-constitution of law and geography.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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