Litigation funder launched to “increase access to justice”
A new body to fund legal actions for wider social change, ‘Law for Change’ has been formally launched this week.
The community interest company aims to “increase access to justice, clarify the rights of under-represented groups and bring lasting reforms”.
It said applications for funding are made by legal representatives on behalf of their clients.
A panel of more than 30 senior legal advisers will provide expert advice to Law for Change on which cases to support. It is a funder of last resort supporting cases with a “tangible moral purpose” and a “clear potential for legal success”, the organisation said.
Ahead of its formal launch, Law for Change has already backed several cases including:
- A judicial review led by Bhatt Murphy challenging government failure to implement Grenfell Inquiry recommendations on emergency evacuation plans for disabled people.
- A case in the High Court challenging the Government’s Rwanda asylum policy.
- A case brought by Liberty challenging the Metropolitan Police on record keeping
Law for Change has been established by three founders, Stephen Kinsella of the Laura Kinsella Foundation, David Graham of Changing Ideas and law reformer Charles Keidan.
Mr Kinsella, a former partner at law firm Sidley and specialist in EU competition law, said: “Throughout history, the law has been used as a tool for social change and we want to support legal claims that have the potential to bring wider impact for society.”
Charles Keidan, whose own legal case in 2019 resulted in a change in the law allowing all couples to seek civil partnerships, said: “I am living proof of the way that a particular legal case can bring wider social impact. We want to support other cases to ensure that the law helps to reflect and accelerate social progress.”
Law for Change was due to be launched at an event involving members of the legal profession, social justice campaigners and philanthropists at the headquarters of law firm Kingsley Napley in London.
Alongside the founders’ own contributions, the fund has received early support from other philanthropic foundations and individuals.
Lottie Winson
