Working for rights through public interest cases

The Public Interest Litigation Support Project, or PILS Project, is an independent organisation seeking to advance human rights and equality in Northern Ireland through public interest litigation. It was launched on 7 October at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, with Mr Justice Séamus Treacy as guest speaker.

The PILS Project is unique in Northern Ireland in its intention to focus on strategic litigation as a vehicle for social change.  Public interest litigation, or PIL, refers to cases that are taken in the interests of minority or disadvantaged groups, or the broader public.  They can challenge or clarify the policies, procedures and decisions of public authorities, or provoke the political system into responding to a problem it has hitherto ignored.  PIL is distinctive in its ability to provide access to justice to those most in need of it and yet who find themselves furthest from it.

The organisation has the capacity to provide financial and/or legal support to public interest cases referred by members of its Stakeholder Forum.  The Forum is open to all non-governmental, non party-political organisations which fulfil a number of criteria. It aims to enhance awareness and information sharing on public interest litigation between its members and to facilitate the identification of potential public interest cases. All potential cases will be considered for support by the Board of Trustees against a pre-defined set of criteria.

The PILS Project intends to work with the legal profession to increase levels of pro bono activity in Northern Ireland. It aims to positively influence the work of the statutory bodies that have a duty to advance human rights and equality.  It also seeks to tackle the existing barriers to public interest litigation through conferences and seminars, publications and other non-litigation based activities.

The launch drew a large and diverse audience, indicating the widespread level of interest in the Project and the work it will undertake. Mr Justice Treacy addressed the audience of legal professionals, NGOs, academics and representatives of statutory bodies.  He acknowledged the need for litigation in the public interest in Northern Ireland and offered his best wishes for the progress of the Project.

For further information on the work of the PILS Project, or if your organisation would like to become a member of the Stakeholder Forum, visit www.pilsni.org, ring 9044 6201 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

© Law Centre (NI) 2009