Lawmanity
Lawmanity
Podcast Description
Hosted by human rights lawyer, Jen Ang, the Lawmanity podcast asks big questions like: How does human rights law really work in practice? And how have activists used the law to create real social change?
Every episode we will bring you legal summaries of interesting cases and one-to-one interviews with activists and lawyers across the UK who are using the law in creative ways to challenge unfairness and secure justice for people and communities who are excluded, discriminated against and overlooked.
We will also bring you insights about the people behind the legends, with inspiration and advice on how to build a successful career in activism and law – and what it takes to stay focused, be resilient and have fun along the way!
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
This podcast focuses on human rights law, activism, and social justice. Episodes cover topics like the impact of the UK's Rwanda policy, legal battles faced by asylum seekers, and the role of law in promoting equality. Specific episodes include case studies of significant legal victories and interviews with legal experts who discuss their personal experiences in the field.
Hosted by human rights lawyer, Jen Ang, the Lawmanity podcast asks big questions like: How does human rights law really work in practice? And how have activists used the law to create real social change?
Every episode we will bring you legal summaries of interesting cases and one-to-one interviews with activists and lawyers across the UK who are using the law in creative ways to challenge unfairness and secure justice for people and communities who are excluded, discriminated against and overlooked.
We will also bring you insights about the people behind the legends, with inspiration and advice on how to build a successful career in activism and law – and what it takes to stay focused, be resilient and have fun along the way!
Episode Notes
In this week’s episode, we speak with human rights lawyer and lecturer Fiona McPhail about the campaign to challenge lock change evictions of people seeking asylum in Scotland, and what the Stop Lock Change Evictions Campaign – later known as the Roof Coalition – can teach us about social justice lawyering in practice.
As former Principal Solicitor of Shelter Scotland’s Housing Law Service and as a leading member of the legal team that challenged SERCO’s proposed lock change policy, Fiona reflects on the possibilities and limitations of strategic litigation, the importance of coalition-building, and the role of lawyers in wider movements for justice.
Fiona shares her insights on:
• How lawyers, grassroots activists, and third-sector organisations worked together through the Roof Coalition to challenge lock change evictions of people seeking asylum and defend their right to due process before losing their homes
• The possibilities and limitations of strategic litigation, including the impact legal action can have even when court challenges are unsuccessful
• Why collaboration, courage, and sustained investment in social justice lawyering are essential to challenging injustice and supporting communities facing exclusion, destitution, and homelessness
Additional resources for this episode are linked below:
• A Site of Resistance: An Evaluation of the Stop Lock Change Evictions Campaign:https://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Stop-Lock-Changes-FINAL-VERSION.pdf
• Volunteer with Shelter Scotland: https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_involved/volunteer
• Scottish Refugee Council: https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk
• JustRight Scotland: https://www.justrightscotland.org.uk
• Living Rent – the Tenant’s Union: https://www.livingrent.org
Find out more at https://lawmanity.pinecast.co
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