Activist Lawyer

In this compelling episode, host Sarah Henry speaks with the acclaimed and inspirational Dr S Chelvan – a multi-award-winning Activist Lawyer, Head of Immigration and Public Law at 33 Bedford Row Chambers, and Adjunct Professor at Southampton Law School. Dr Chelvan shares his personal and professional journey into law, offering insights into refugee and human rights cases centred on sexual or gender identity and expression. This episode is a deep dive into the work of a true Activist Lawyer – someone whose advocacy not only transforms individual lives but also shapes national and international legal landscapes. Not to be missed! Multi-award winning queer, person of colour, first generation Jaffna Tamil immigrant, living with disability, and self-identified Activist Lawyer Dr S Chelvan, Head of Immigration and Public Law at 33 Bedford Row Chambers, and Adjunct Professor at Southampton Law School,  is a globally recognised legal expert on refugee and human rights claims based on sexual or gender identity, and expression. Having practised in the field of Queer Refugee law since 2001, he has spearheaded strategic litigation in cases in the UK, up to and including the Supreme Court, and the European Court of Human Rights. Chelvan is specifically renowned to adopt a symbiotic approach to spearhead litigation, academic research, and policy development in refugee and migration law.  The past six months have included the judgment of the Strasbourg Court in MI v Switzerland, an Honorary Doctorate by the Open University, and profiled as the Times Lawyer of the Week. He adheres to, “being the mouthpiece for those who know the words, but have no voice” knowing as an activist lawyer, you will be driven by seeking justice for others, not yourself. For more about Chelvan and for links to cases discussed in this episode, please see https://www.33bedfordrow.co.uk/people/chelvan-s#content/introduction

A short reminder of the Activist Lawyer Book club with registration details is discussed in today's episode.  The next Book Club Meeting features 'Righting Wrongs' by Kenneth  Roth. Tune in to find out more!

In this special episode of Activist Lawyer, we continue the conversation on gender apartheid with a focus on youth activism and international advocacy. We're joined by Emily Humphreys from the Irish Campaign to End Gender Apartheid (ICEGA), alongside two passionate student activists, Rachel Forrest and Phoebe Sexton, from Midleton, County Cork. Rachel and Phoebe share how they're mobilising young people in their community to take a stand, raise awareness, and demand action on gender apartheid. Emily provides vital updates on global developments, the growing movement to codify gender apartheid as a crime against humanity, and what campaigners and listeners need to know moving forward. Tune in for an episode filled with purpose, passion, and the powerful voices pushing for change!     Show notes: Check out and follow @end.genderapartheid on Instagram to find out more about the End Gender Apartheid Walk and campaign initiated by students in Midleton, County Cork.  Please also take the time to read this important article by Basira Paigham referred to in the recording: Read here:  https://maynoothinternationaldevelopment.home.blog/2025/04/16/voices-of-defiance-womens-struggle-for-freedom-in-the-face-of-oppression/  If you want to find out more about how you can get involved in the Irish Campaign to End Gender Apartheid contact Robbyn Swan by email: swanrobbyn@yahoo.co.uk. 

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Tayab Ali, Director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), to discuss the organisation's critical work in response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the Occupied Territories. The conversation explores ICJP's efforts and introduces Global 195, a new initiative aiming to coordinate legal interventions across multiple jurisdictions to hold those responsible for international crimes accountable. Tayab, also a partner and Head of International Law at the renowned London firm Bindmans LLP, shares his inspiring journey in law and activism. If you've ever found yourself deciding between a career in politics or law, listen in to this episode!   Tayab Ali, Director at International Centre of Justice for Palestinians. Tayab is an internationally recognised and highly respected Solicitor Advocate. His practice encompasses criminal and civil/public law in both the UK and international jurisdictions. He is a partner and Head of International Law at leading and award-winning London law firm Bindmans LLP. As a lawyer, Tayab's work and case profiles have consistently been recognised by the principal Legal Directories which have ranked him as a leading lawyer in multiple practice areas. Chambers & Partners described him as “an irresistible force – he's fearless and he always gets the right results for his clients”. He is rated as a Super Lawyer by Thompson Reuters and recognised in the field of Civil Liberties by The Legal 500.   Find out more about Global 195 https://www.icjpalestine.com/2025/03/18/global-195-launched/ Find out more about the ICJP https://www.icjpalestine.com/   

Host Sarah Henry is joined by Partner Solicitor Nusrat Uddin, Head of the Public Law and Human Rights department at Wilsons Solicitors. In this episode, Nusrat shares insights into her work, with a focus on modern slavery, forced labour, and human trafficking. She discusses several groundbreaking cases she has worked on, as well as her involvement in Business and Human Rights cases, particularly those addressing forced labour within supply chains. Nusrat Uddin specialises in public law and human rights, with a particular focus on modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking. She brings cases against central and local government bodies for failing their duties, as well as claims against those who have exploited their workers. In 2023 she was awarded Public Law Lawyer of the Year in the Legal Aid Lawyer of the year awards. Nusrat also specialises in Business and Human Rights work. She has provided evidence for several US investigations into complaints against companies, from the fashion industry through to rubber gloves. US authorities have banned products from entering the US where indicators of forced labour in supply chains have been found. She believes the UK's approach is far weaker and is critical of the Modern Slavery Act's approach. Nusrat's team have pioneered the first case against the UK authorities in relation to forced labour in their own supply chains, which settled with the government conceding and agreeing to improve their due diligence. The case was covered widely in the media and Nusrat was interviewed by Channel 4 News which can be seen here. She is currently building a second case in relation to the government's due diligence of Uyghur made products in their supply chain. Nusrat was instructed in the key Supreme Court case of Wong v Basfar 2022 dealing with diplomatic immunity in trafficking civil claims. The Supreme Court established for the first time worldwide, a current diplomat is not protected from claims of human trafficking. The judgment was groundbreaking with global political implications. Nusrat was presented with the 2022 Anti-Slavery Day Award for Outstanding Contribution to Reducing Vulnerabilities, in Parliament, for her work on this case. Nusrat has a particular focus on improving state support for victims of trafficking and modern slavery. Last year she was instructed in the lead case, K and AM v SSHD [2018] EWHC 2951 (Admin), challenging the cuts by the Home Office to subsistence monies paid to support victims. The High Court found the cuts to be unlawful, resulting in victim support being reinstated to the full amount, and rebates being paid of around £1 million. She often advocates for safeguarding support and accommodation for victims who are facing homelessness and risks of further exploitation. Nusrat was profiled as Lawyer in the News in the Law Society Gazette for the successful case. Nusrat was also awarded a Research Fellowship by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust to compare the UK's models of support to those in the US and Europe, for victims of trafficking and modern slavery who are involved with criminal prosecutions against their traffickers. She presented her research findings at the end of last year and made recommendations to improve the UK's systems. The research has been shared widely, including by Anti-Slavery International and endorsed by Luis deBaca who was the US ambassador for trafficking. She also gave oral evidence in Parliament to the Home Affairs Select Committee for their Inquiry into Modern Slavery in 2019. She outlined key issues for victims in relation to support services, immigration and the criminal justice system; particularly highlighting problems of victims being wrongfully criminalised by the police and immigration systems, instead of being correctly identified and protected. Nusrat is also currently instructed in a significant challenge to police policies in relation to this issue. In recognition of her work in this field, Nusrat was shortlisted in the 2019 Anti-Slavery Day Awards, for Outstanding Contribution to the fight against Slavery, in the Enabling and Supporting Survivor Rights and Entitlements category. Nusrat was Highly Commended in the 2019 Law Society Excellence Awards for Human Rights Lawyer of the Year. Nusrat was also shortlisted as a finalist for Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2019, in the Children's Rights category, organised by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group. Nusrat has gained international experience having worked in the Human Rights and Legal Aid department of BRAC in Bangladesh, (formerly Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee) one of the world's largest NGOs. She also volunteered at Al-Haq, a Human Rights NGO based in Palestine, building potential cases against corporations operating in the West Bank. Nusrat is currently a Trustee of Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights.

A short reminder of the Activist Lawyer Book Club with registration details are discussed in today's episode.  The next Book Club Meeting features ‘The Power in the People, Not the People in Power,' by Michael Mansfield KC! Tune in to find out more.

In this episode, Sarah interviews Dr. Gearóid Ó Cuinn, Director of the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), to explore the organisation's innovative cross-border legal actions. They discuss key initiatives, including climate justice cases and GLAN's recent legal challenge against the UK government over its ongoing weapons exports to Israel. Tune in for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation about international law in action and gain valuable insights into how to get involved in global human rights efforts. Link to GLAN: https://www.glanlaw.org/   About Dr Gearóid Ó Cuinn:  Gearóid is the founding director of the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) where he is responsible for GLAN's legal actions and strategic growth. He is an adjunct lecturer at the Irish Centre for Human Rights and formerly lectured at Lancaster University Law School and was a visiting fellow at the Transnational Law Institute at Kings College London. Gearóid was educated at the National University of Ireland, Galway (LLB), University of Nottingham (LLM) where he also completed his doctorate which was funded by the Wellcome Trust. His academic research focuses on public international law, human rights and public health governance. Gearóid has active links with the legal profession and is interested in new avenues in clinical legal education, especially within public international law and the use of technologies in pro bono legal work.

In this special episode, our host and co-founder, Sarah Henry, takes the hot seat, interviewed by solicitor and fellow co-founder, Jonathan McKeown. We'll reflect on the podcast's journey so far, what we've accomplished, and our goals for the future of the Activist Lawyer community. Are there any favourite episodes you'd like to highlight? Let us know! Thank you to all of our listeners, podcast and blog contributors.  We truly value your time and your energy!

We kick off the New Year and the new season of the Activist Lawyer podcast with an interview featuring family law expert Anne Marie Featherstone. Anne Marie, a solicitor at Rafferty and Co Solicitors in Newry, shares insights into her legal career and her journey to specialising in all areas of family law. In this important conversation, Anne Marie and Sarah delve into the legal system's response to domestic violence. This discussion is particularly timely, given the alarming number of women who have lost their lives due to violence in the UK, and specifically in Northern Ireland, over the past year and beyond. Anne Marie Featherstone is an experienced family law practitioner who works in Rafferty and Co Solicitors in Newry, County Down.  Her experience includes working on the law society for Northern Ireland Children Order Panel, working on the Court Children Guardian panel and on The Hague Convention panel for the abduction of children.  Anne Marie has a Masters in Human Rights and Criminal Justice where she focused her dissertation focusing on children's rights in the youth court.  Anne Marie has great familiarity with the courts in Northern Ireland and the needs and assistance required for those who find themselves seeking support and guidance in the family law arena to include the area of domestic violence.  Anne Marie has been involved in a number of reported cases including McG v McG (2002) NIFam10 and in one of the recent post office Horizon cases in the Court of Appeal (2023).  Trigger Warning: This podcast episode discusses sensitive topics, including domestic violence. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs help and support in relation to domestic violence, please see the following links: 24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline (NI) https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/24-hour-domestic-and-sexual-abuse-helpline Safe Ireland (ROI) https://www.safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/ Refuge (UK) https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ Police UK https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/support-organisations/

In today's episode, we are joined by renowned solicitor Michael Madden from Madden Finucane Solicitors in Belfast. Michael takes us through his journey into law, beginning as a junior legal assistant on landmark legacy cases such as Bloody Sunday, and evolving the firm into one of the most respected names in human rights and criminal justice. Sarah and Michael also discuss the recent UK government announcement of a public inquiry into the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane as well as Michael's role in representing NI sub-postmasters wrongfully convicted in the infamous Post Office Scandal, widely regarded as one of the UK's most significant miscarriages of justice.  Michael Madden graduated in Law from Queen's University Belfast in 2002, was admitted as a Solicitor in 2006, and qualified as a Solicitor-Advocate in 2009. He previously worked for a respected London criminal firm where he completed his training contract.   About Michael Madden is a qualified solicitor-advocate specialising in criminal law. He represents clients throughout each stage of the criminal justice system, from clients under arrest in police stations, through to the Magistrates' Court, Crown Court, High Court, and the Court of Appeal. He also regularly represents prisoners before the Parole Commissioners of Northern Ireland. Michael also acts as a solicitor-advocate for clients detained under the Mental Health Order before the Mental Health Review Tribunal. He has a special interest in Human Rights Law. Michael has attended the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in New York as part of a human rights campaign team concerning the independence of lawyers, highlighting the murder of Pat Finucane in particular. Notable cases: NI Court of Appeal • R v Alan McLaughlin First Post Office / Horizon scandal case in Northern Ireland to have convictions overturned in 2022. • R v James Alexander Smith First referral in NI from the CCRC regarding joint enterprise for murder cases in 2022. • DPP Ref (Number 5 of 2019) Harrington Legen Jack Guideline sentencing case in NI for fraud and theft where the offender is in a position of trust. It also gave guidelines for the appropriate remedy where a court has found there has been a breach of the right to have a criminal hearing within a reasonable time. • R v Gerard Connors [2011] NICC 35 Successful application to reduce the tariff length of a life sentence for murder. • EM Successful application to overturn an extradition order to Germany in 2015. Other notable cases • Inga Maria Hauser murder Represented man arrested for murder but received a “no prosecution” decision from the PPS in 2020. • PPS v GK Represented man in the Magistrates' Court accused of being a “paedophile hunter” who received a non-custodial sentence in 2019. • R v BM Represented man in Belfast Crown Court who received a non-custodial sentence in 2016 for offences concerning bomb hoaxes and threats made to various individuals and airports in the USA and other countries. • PPS v TH Represented man accused of possessing a large amount of semtex acquitted in 2014. • R v FC Represented man accused of “sex slave ring” at Belfast Crown acquitted in 2012.

In this episode, Sarah is joined by Katie de Kauwe, a senior lawyer with Friends of the Earth, to discuss the vital role of legal actions in holding the UK government accountable for its climate obligations. They explore significant cases, some of which have disrupted the fossil fuel industry, including the Horse Hill (Finch) case which reached the UK Supreme Court, High Court challenges over the government's inadequate climate plans, and other important litigation.  Katie discusses how lawyers collaborate with grassroots activists to achieve long-term societal change, young climate change activists and the relationship between climate change and gender inequality. The conversation also touches on the rise of 'persons unknown' injunctions, which pose a serious threat to democracy and the right to protest. Friends of the Earth has taken action on 'anti-protest' injunctions, even bringing cases before the European Court of Human Rights. Finally, Katie provides practical advice for those interested in pursuing a career as a climate justice lawyer. Not to be missed!   Katie de Kauwe specialises in environmental judicial review, and also has expertise in cases concerning the right to protest. Katie was listed in the ENDS Power List 2023 and 2024 of the UK's 100 most influential environmental professionals, and was ranked in the Lawyer Hot 100 for 2023.  Katie led Friends of the Earth's successful Climate Change Act challenges to the Government's economy-wide decarbonisation plans, first the Net Zero Strategy, and then the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan which replaced it. She has worked on several critical challenges to fossil fuel projects. These include Friends of the Earth's intervention in the landmark Finch appeal regarding oil drilling in Surrey, where the Supreme Court ruled in June 2024 that end-use emissions from fossil fuel projects must be included in the environmental impact assessment. Katie also worked on the organisation's successful challenge to the grant of planning permission for a coal mine in Whitehaven, which was strengthened by Finch and ultimately succeeded on all grounds in September 2024, including those aspects relating to substitution, international impacts and carbon offsetting. Katie leads on Friends of the Earth's casework on civil liberties, including its live application to the European Court of Human Rights, challenging the use of ‘anti-protest' persons unknown injunctions.  Katie holds a degree in Biology BSc (1st Class Honours) and converted to law through a Masters in Law.  [Katie has previously worked in criminal defence. She completed her training contract in private practice, and worked in civil litigation, before joining Friends of the Earth in 2018. She was previously involved in the Colombia Caravana, and has participated in two human rights delegations to Colombia. Katie is half-Sri Lankan, and strongly believes in the importance of addressing the deficit in representation of people of colour in both the legal profession and the environmental movement. For cases mentioned on today's episode as well as the legal work undertaken by Friends of the Earth (UK), read more here.

As part of our mini-series on Becoming an Activist Lawyer, host Sarah Henry discusses highlights from our guest contributors when asked to comment on the relationship between Activism and the Law.   

Megan Sethuraman is currently studying a Master's in International Peace Studies at Trinity College Dublin. She joins Sarah on the podcast to discuss her recent visit to Palestine as a human rights monitor.  Megan shares her observations and discusses how anyone can get involved in advocacy and support for communities across the region who are suffering because of the escalating conflict. Megan also shares how her experience impacted her decision to pursue a career in human rights.

In Episode 94, host Sarah interviews immigration expert, Dr. Sue Conlan about the state of immigration in Ireland and the UK. The conversation offers an exploration of various pressing issues, including the legal landscape, the impact of political decisions, and the rising tide of xenophobia in both regions. The conversation touches on pivotal moments such as Brexit, which has reshaped the immigration framework, leading to increased complexities and challenges for migrants. Dr. Sue Conlan has specialised exclusively in the field of international migration, asylum and human rights since July 1987 in both the voluntary sector and legal aid firms. Her experience includes legal casework, research, training, political advocacy, consultancy, media and public speaking on migration and asylum issues and wider human rights issues. Sue's research includes the link between immigration control and public funds in the UK, people smuggling and migration, and asylum policy and practice in the UK and Ireland. In July 2020, Sue set up has TACTIC Immigration and Asylum CIC to provide training to organisations supporting people seeking asylum or in the UK illegally.   

Join award-winning barrister Oscar Davies and host Sarah Henry as they discuss Oscar's journey to their practice at Garden Court Chambers. Oscar shares personal insights into becoming a barrister and offers practical advice for aspiring legal professionals. They also address the lack of legal protections for trans and non-binary individuals, along with Oscar's upcoming book on non-binary recognition, promoting understanding and openness towards the challenges faced by the non-binary community.  Oscar is recognised as the first publicly acknowledged non-binary barrister in the UK and has been a trailblazer in representing trans and non-binary clients across various civil and public law sectors. Oscar's work as a barrister is a gateway to their activism in trans issues and climate related strategic litigation. Their impressive accolades include winning 'LGBTQ+: Champion of the Year' at the Legal 500 ESG Awards 2024 and being nominated for 'DE&I: Rising Star of the Year' at the same awards. Oscar was also nominated as one of the ‘Top 10 Outstanding Contributions to LGBT+ Life' by the British LGBT Awards 2022 and was a finalist in this year's Advocate's awards category Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year'. Oscar is ranked as a Tier 1 ‘Rising Star' in the Legal 500 and was recently featured by Evening Standard Magazine as one of the Unsung Heroes of the LGBTQ+ community. Beyond their courtroom successes, Oscar is currently writing a book on non-binary recognition, exploring how the law can better reflect and dismantle stigmas around gender/sex binary.

Sarah is joined by a distinguished panel contributing to the conversation on a timely and critical issue: the campaign to recognize Gender Apartheid as a crime against humanity.    'United Against Gender Apartheid,' is discussed in detail by renowned journalist, author and campaigner, Robbyn Swan, Afghan lawyer and campaigner Mahbooba Faiz and Mahya Ostovar, a professor and long-time activist for women's rights in Iran.   The podcast highlights the worsening situation in Afghanistan and Iran, where women are subjected to systemic repression under legal frameworks designed to erase them from public life. The Taliban's policies in Afghanistan and Iran's Morality Police are cited as examples of these oppressive structures.  This conversation is not just a legal debate—it's a vital exploration of women's rights and the global movement to protect them. Be sure to download the episode and join the discussion!  #unitedagainstgenderapartheid   Mahbooba Faiz is a dedicated feminist and women's rights activist with over six years of experience in advocating for gender equality. Her commitment to these causes intensified after escaping Afghanistan in 2021, following the Taliban's takeover and their subsequent restrictions on women's freedoms.   Mahbooba is a two-time refugee, having first escaped Afghanistan in late 1996 when the Taliban took control of Kabul. During this time, she witnessed the harsh treatment of people, particularly women, including her mother. She is also a war victim, having lost her father during the Russian occupation of Afghanistan.   In Ireland, Mahbooba has been an outspoken advocate, frequently appearing in the media to raise awareness about the plight of women under oppressive regimes, particularly in Afghanistan. She has worked to inform Irish society and the broader international community about the severe impact of Islamic fundamentalism on women's lives.   Mahbooba holds a bachelor's degree in law and has earned two master's degrees in Law and International Studies, one from Afghanistan and one from the Republic of Ireland.   She is married and has one child, balancing her family life with her passionate commitment to promoting women's rights and gender equality.  Mahya Ostovar is a women's rights activist and an assistant professor in Business Information Systems at University of Galway, Ireland. During her PhD studies in France, her research focused on campaigns against mandatory hijab in Iran—such as “My Stealthy Freedom” and “White Wednesdays.”   Mahya was also active in the “#LetUsTalk” campaign, which demands the Western feminists and progressives to not silence the criticism of Islam, especially by Middle Eastern women, and the “#No2Hijab campaign,” which calls on Iranian women not to wear the headscarf in Iranian public.   Her primary focus in all these activities has been the equality of women and their rights over their bodies. Robbyn Swan is a well-known American journalist and author. Her book, The Eleventh Day: The Full Story of 9/11 and Osama Bin Laden, co-authored with her husband Anthony Summers, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. Robbyn has been a strong advocate for ending gender apartheid. Working alongside Mahbooba and Mahya, she has lobbied Irish representatives and organizations to keep the issue of women's rights under oppressive regimes on the political agenda.   Her involvement with Mahbooba and Mahya highlights her dedication to global women's rights and the push for international recognition and action against gender-based oppression.  Contact details:   Robbyn Swan:  swanrobbyn@yahoo.co.uk for more on #UnitedAgainstGenderApartheid.  For more information on global campaigns to End Gender Apartheid, see the links below:   End Gender Apartheid Today: https://endgenderapartheid.today/   Instagram   @endgenderapartheid.today   @unitedagainstgenderapartheid  

Join us on the latest episode of the Activist Lawyer podcast as our former co-host, Jack McClelland, calls into the studio to share his travel adventures and offer insights into navigating a career in law. If you're feeling uncertain about your career path, especially in human rights law, this episode is for you! Sarah and Jack will also revisit some standout episodes featuring recent guests who offer valuable advice for those contemplating a career in human rights. Whether you're exploring your options or looking for inspiration, this discussion promises to be both informative and inspiring. Don't miss out—tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that could help shape your future!

In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by Daniel Machover from Hickman & Rose, one of the UK's leading solicitors in inquests, public inquiry work, complex civil litigation, and human rights cases. Daniel has represented clients in high-profile cases, including the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Azelle Rodney Inquiry, and prisoners at Wormwood Scrubs Prison. Recently, he has also represented the family of Kelso Cochrane in uncovering the truth behind what has been called 'Britain's first racist murder,' all of which is discussed in this episode. Daniel shares his fascinating journey into the legal profession, inspired by his family's experience at the hands of Israeli authorities as anti-Zionist Israelis speaking out against the occupation of Palestine. He later co-founded Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights and shares his thoughts on recent rulings by the ICJ regarding Israel, as well as his efforts to issue arrest warrants under universal jurisdiction, including a warrant for the arrest of a former senior Israeli army officer for alleged war crimes. About Daniel   Daniel Machover is partner and Head of Civil Litigation with Hickman & Rose law firm based in London. Daniel's pioneering human rights work has seen him bring cases to the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. His long experience representing clients in civil claims arising from the criminal justice system enables him to offer specialist representation to both claimants and defendant in civil fraud cases and other civil disputes with a connection to criminal law. Daniel is a trustee of the charity INQUEST which provides a specialist, comprehensive advice service to bereaved people on contentious deaths and their investigation, having previously served as Chair between 2010 and 2021. He is also a trustee of Legal Action Worldwide, which helps gain access to justice for those who need it most in fragile and conflict-affected states.

Sarah is joined by barrister Franck Magennis from Garden Court Chambers.  Franck discusses UK asylum cases involving Palestinian applicants, his time working with Al-Haq human rights organisation as well as a swell in employment cases involving dismissals around a person's activity in relation to what is happening in Palestine.  This is an interesting discussion on what could be described as a freedom of speech crisis. Don't miss an excellent and encouraging discussion about any potential conflict or tension that comes with entering the legal profession while holding strong political beliefs and being part of an active movement.  A candid and insightful episode not to be missed! About Franck Magennis  Franck Magennis was born in Dublin and raised in the six counties, Franck Magennis is a barrister called to the bar of England & Wales in 2016. He practises in public, civil and criminal defence. His work centres on challenging rights breaches by the British and other states, employers and landlords. He has expertise in legal claims relating to various aspects of the Palestinian struggle against "Israeli" colonialism, apartheid and genocide."

We pick up our discussion on legal developments impacting Palestine as we are joined by Miranda Cleland in Washington DC. As advocacy officer with Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCI-P), Miranda touches on the significance of the case against the Biden Administration for complicity in genocide. The case, which was dismissed, was taken by the Center for Constitutional Rights who filed a lawsuit on behalf of DCI-P and other Palestinian human rights groups as well as Palestinian and US citizens with relatives in Gaza.  The action itself was unprecedented and was not dismissed on its merits but because of technical grounds. Listen to find out more! We talk about the harrowing testimony Miranda and her colleagues receive from field researchers on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank as well Netanyahu's address before congress as well as how the legal community and individuals can provide more support when it comes to holding Israel accountable.   Miranda Cleland is an advocacy officer at Defense for Children International - Palestine and lives in Washington, D.C., where she leads the No Way to Treat a Child campaign and advocates for the human rights of Palestinian children. Miranda is a writer, speaker, facilitator, and campaigner with expertise in children's rights, the Israeli military detention system, and Israeli military killings of Palestinian children. She holds a bachelor's with honors from American University in International Studies and Arabic language and has taken additional coursework in international law and the protection of children in armed conflict.

In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC as she discusses her career in law, her role as a judge at the Old Bailey as well as her fascinating new book, ‘Rough Justice.' Until March 2022 Her Honour Wendy Joseph QC was a judge at the Old Bailey, sitting on criminal cases, trying mainly allegations of murder and other homicide. She read English and Law at Cambridge, was called to the Bar by Gray's Inn in 1975, became a QC in 1998 and sat as a full-time judge from 2007 to 2022. When she moved to the Old Bailey in 2012 she was the only woman amongst sixteen judges, and only the third woman ever to hold a permanent position there. She was also a Diversity and Community Relations Judge, working to promote understanding between the judiciary and many different sectors of our community, particularly those from less privileged and minority groups. She mentors young people, from a variety of backgrounds, who hope for a career in law and has a special interest in helping women.

In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by Marc Willers KC who specialises in environmental law and climate justice, planning law, administrative and public law, civil liberties, human rights and discrimination law, and Gypsy, Traveller and Roma law. Marc is recommended in the Chambers UK Bar Guide and the Legal 500 in planning law, environmental law, civil liberties and human rights. He is also a member of the Irish Bar, and he is registered with the Bar Council for public access work and assists private clients in all the areas of his expertise.Marc won the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award in 2011 and he was Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers between 2016 - 2020. He is also the co-editor of Gypsy and Traveller Law (3rd edition, 2020 LAG).

In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by traveller activist and aspiring barrister, Martin McDonagh. Martin is currently furthering his career in law through the University of Ulster, Access to Justice LLM hoping to work in human rights and social justice. He recently set up Northern Ireland's first Traveller-led support group. Martin touches on some of the challenges faced by the Irish Traveller community and discusses his determination to champion social change and amplify marginalised voices through the law and his activism. **TW  - This episode touches on issues of suicide and mental health.  For support please follow the links below:   Northern Ireland: https://zerosuicidealliance.com/urgent-help/helplines-and-support-northern-ireland Ireland: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/nosp/help/ UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/supporting-someone-who-feels-suicidal/useful-contacts/

In this week's episode, our host, Sarah Henry, shares the latest updates to our website, our call for blog submissions, the launch of our brand-new newsletter, and our exciting new book club.  Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://ow.ly/IaFJ50SaZ94

In this week's episode, Sarah is joined in the studio by Immigration Solicitor, Úna Boyd who works with the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ).  CAJ is an independent human rights organisation based in Belfast and Úna discusses the role of the organisation in promoting justice and protecting rights.  She shares insights into her work centring around post-Brexit legislative changes, the Rwanda Scheme, the ECHR, citizens' rights, racial profiling and the Common Travel Area.    Úna Boyd is an immigration law specialist. She studied law at Queens University Belfast and has a Master's in Human Rights Law from the Irish Centre for Human Rights. Úna is an experienced immigration solicitor and former chair of the Law Society of Northern Ireland's Immigration Practitioners' Group.  

Sarah sits down with solicitor Ciaran Moynagh from Phoenix Law in Belfast.  Ciaran talks about how he became a lawyer specialising in human rights, equality, family law and specialist criminal defence.  Listeners might be familiar with some of Ciaran's high-profile cases including Lee v Asher's Bakery Company (the ‘gay cake' case) as well as his work around advancing same sex marriage and transgender rights in Northern Ireland.  Ciaran Moynagh is an experienced Solicitor Advocate with a diverse caseload that points to his passion for human rights & equality, family & matrimonial law and specialist criminal defence.  Ciaran is a multi-award-winning solicitor with a reputation for both challenging public bodies and the decisions they make, and also representing the interests of his clients in family courts and criminal trials. Ciaran acted in the same sex marriage legal challenge known as Petition X and also advised on the legislation ultimately used to introduce same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. As part of the Love Equality Consortium he was instrumental in the campaign for equal marriage including talks with NI's political leaders.  He represented the couple, Laura Lacole and Eunan O'Kane in the legal challenge which secured the right for couples in Northern Ireland to register humanist marriages. Other successful judicial reviews resulted in greater protection of the privacy of transgender people in the UK and access to fertility treatment for same sex couples. Ciaran also acts for a number of charities mainly around potential interventions into legal challenges. He was instructed by the AIRE Centre in an immigration case before the European Court of Justice as well as for the Royal College of Midwives in JR 76 which challenged the prosecution of a mother for purchasing abortion pills online. More recently he has advised and assisted with an application by Mr Lee to the European Court of Human Rights in the internationally debated matter of Lee -v- Asher's Bakery, the so-called “gay cake” case. Ciaran also has a passion for family and matrimonial law and regularly appears before Family Courts at all tiers. He is the Northern Ireland representative of the UK & Ireland LGBT Family Law Institute as well as a member of the Northern Ireland Children Order Panel.  In 2021 he was made a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers as well as being added to the solicitor panel for the Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency. In his family work, Ciaran deals with private law contact / residence disputes that include complex issues such as emotional abuse commonly called parent alienation. He also regularly deals with public law family matters that have social services involved due to allegations of abuse, neglect or non-accidental injury. Ciaran has specialist knowledge and expertise on same sex family's creation and representation. Ciaran is one of the few lawyers in NI giving expert advice on both domestic and international surrogacy arrangements. In a criminal context, Ciaran has been a long-standing member of the Belfast duty solicitor scheme. He has particular expertise in cases involving online legal issues, for example, social media harassment, revenge porn and so-called ‘paedophile hunters' stings. Ciaran retains a criminal defence caseload exclusively dealing with complex fraud, terrorism and sexual offences providing robust representation right from police station right through to the Crown Court.

Sarah is joined in the studio by solicitor Enda McGarrity who works with law firm P.A. Duffy & Co Solicitors. Enda talks about his work on the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and environmental actions arising because of the ecological disaster occurring in Northern Ireland's Lough Neagh.    Enda joined PA Duffy & Company as a paralegal in 2018 having graduated from Queens University Belfast with honours. After completing his apprenticeship with PA Duffy and Company Enda qualified as a solicitor and is now leading the Human Rights and Public law department within the firm. Enda's caseload consists of Public Inquiries, Inquests, Judicial review and complex litigation against State agencies including wrongful death claims and environmental actions. He is currently instructed by Northern Ireland Bereaved Families for Justice (NICBFFJ) in the ongoing UK Covid-19 Inquiry which is considered to be the largest public inquiry in UK history. In addition, Enda is instructed by bereaved families in the Republic of Ireland to seek a public inquiry to investigate the State's handling of Covid-19 as well as acting in multiple ongoing wrongful death actions in respect of deaths related to major outbreaks of Covid-19 in nursing homes. Enda has a passion for helping the most vulnerable people in society to seek justice. His work with bereaved families, the elderly and disabled reflects his commitment to pursuing answers and accountability for those who are unable to advocate for themselves. He also has a keen interest in environmental issues and is instructed by various individuals and groups seeking to address damage caused to the environment by pollution, including cases in relation to the ongoing blue green algae crisis in Lough Neagh. During his training Enda took part in a 5-week human rights internship in Cape Town, South Africa where he provided legal assistance to refugees and members of the LGBTQI community who were being subjected to discrimination. He continues to carry these values in his current workload and regularly accepts instructions on pro bono cases which have a public interest dimension. Enda is a keen Gaelic footballer, he has represented County Tyrone at Minor level and continues to play for his club Galbally Pearses GAC. Enda has received an Ulster Colleges All-star award, A Gaelic Life All-star award and was a member of the Elite Athlete Programme at Queens University Belfast. He is also an active member of a charity called St Ciaran's Peregrini who provide aid to a small town in Zambia and he has visited Zambia on four occasions to assist on various community and education projects. 

In this episode Sarah meets Leslie Thomas KC with Garden Court Chambers and Professor of Law at Gresham College. We discuss some of Leslie's impressive portfolio of work as a barrister taking on the state on behalf of his clients through inquests and public inquiries representing many bereaved families as a result of police brutality and deaths in custody. Leslie has expertise across a wide range of civil wrongs, civil litigation and human rights and has worked on the Hillsborough Inquiry, Covid-19 Inquiry as well as representing residents and bereaved family members of the Grenfell Tower fire.  Do Right and Fear No One – A life Dedicated to Fighting for Justice is the title of Leslie's thoughtful and fascinating book detailing his career and the challenges he faced as a black lawyer starting off his career in 1980's London.  We have recommended this book as part of our Activist Lawyer Book Club.   Leslie is a leading expert in claims against the police and other public authorities, and claims against corporate bodies, with expertise across the full spectrums of civil wrongs, civil litigation, human rights, data and privacy claims. He is an expert in all aspects of inquests and public inquiries, having represented many bereaved families, in particular where there has been abuse of state or corporate power. Leslie acts for claimants in judicial review proceedings and other public law proceedings. He regularly acts for clients in the Caribbean region on constitutional law challenges. He has represented claimants in clinical negligence and personal injury claims for the last 20 years. Leslie is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners and Tier 1 in Legal 500 for Inquests & Public Inquiries and Police Law (Claimant). He is also ranked by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 in Civil Liberties & Human Rights. Leslie is currently Professor of Law at Gresham College delivering his lecture series Hard Choices: The Law's Struggle with Ethical Dilemmas

As part of our series focusing on the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Palestine, Sarah is joined by Khaled Quzmar, human rights lawyer and General Director of Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCI-P).  The organisation has been working to promote and protect the human rights of Palestinian children for decades.  Khaled talks about the extreme challenges in documenting current violations of international law in respect of children due to the sheer volume of cases as a result of the ongoing aggression on the region by Israeli forces.    Khaled Quzmar joined DCI- P in 1995 as a lawyer representing Palestinian children in Israeli military courts. He rose through the ranks to become administrative and legal affairs director.  Khaled specializes in issues of juvenile justice and grave violations against children during armed conflict. He earned a Master of Laws degree in international human rights law from the Irish Center for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland Galway.

Today's episode features Executive Director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Liam Herrick.  Liam and Sarah discuss the history of the ICCL and its place in the development of human rights and social justice, not only in Ireland, but globally.  They look at the ‘Enforce' unit within the ICCL which aims to challenge the ‘tech threat' posed to democracy and human rights.  Liam Herrick is the Executive Director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. Liam was appointed in November 2016. Prior to his appointment, he was the Advisor to President Michael D. Higgins. Liam was Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) between 2007 and 2014. He has also worked as the first Head of Legislation and Policy at the former Irish Human Rights Commission, with the Law Reform Commission and at the Department of Foreign Affairs. He is a former member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and the Minister for Justice and Equality's Strategic Review Group on Penal Policy. Liam is a sought-after commentator and appears regularly before parliamentary committees and in the media.   Liam says “I have worked in human rights for most of the last 20 years. I believe that fighting for human rights protections in law and in policy can make a real difference to peoples' lives and to the type of society we live in. “

To mark International Women's Day 2024  we are joined by Dr Maebh Harding and Professor Aoife O'Donoghue to discuss the network Doing Feminist Legal Work. DFLW connects legal scholars across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain addressing emerging issues of gender and law. This is an exciting and innovative project and you can find out how you can become involved in the network.  We also discuss the meaning of adapting a ‘feminist approach' to work and to teaching as well as the position of western feminism in the context of the ongoing crisis in Palestine. Professor Aoife O'Donoghue of Queen's University Law School, works extensively on projects relating to utopia, feminism and international law and tyranny, in particular taking a law and humanities perspective that incorporates history, literature and theory.  Aoife was co-director of the Northern Ireland Feminist Judgements Project and is co-direct of the Feminist Constitutional Futures Project.  Dr Maebh Harding works at University College Dublin, Sutherland School of Law.  Dr Harding is Assistant professor in Family and Child Law at UCD and her research combines a critical feminist perspective with empirical, historical and doctrinal rigour to challenge legal regulation of family life.  She takes a particular interest, not only in law and gender but in how family justice systems actually work.  Her work has been widely citied and has significantly impacted policy and practice.

Continuing with our series focusing on events unfolding in Palestine we speak to Professor Shane Darcy, Nadeen Yousef and Ramez Hayek from the Irish Centre for Human Rights in the School of Law at University of Galway.   The panel discuss events subsequent to the ICJ ruling on provisional measures in the case of South Africa v. Israel in relation to the Genocide Convention, 1948.  We discuss the action of state parties to the Convention in light of the ruling, the validity of international legal institutions as well as touching on other important legal actions taken on both an international and domestic level in an effort to hold Israel and its allies accountable for their actions and contraventions of international law.  Professor Shane Darcy is the Deputy Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights in the School of Law at the University of Galway, where he teaches business and human rights, international humanitarian law and international criminal law. He is the author of Judges, Law and War; The Judicial Development of International Humanitarian Law (Cambridge University Press, 2014) and To Serve the Enemy: Informers, Collaborators and the Laws of Armed Conflict (Oxford University Press, 2019). He is a member of the Editorial Boards of the Business and Human Rights Journal, the Irish Yearbook of International Law and Criminal Law Forum. Nadeen Yousef, a Palestinian human rights advocate, and a full-time LLM student specializing in International Human Rights Law at the University of Galway. She has previously worked as an Advocacy Coordinator at several Palestinian civil society organizations including the Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling, and the Palestinian Vision. Along her studies, Nadeen is currently working as a Research Assistant for the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the OPT, Francesca Albanese.  Ramez Hayek is a legal researcher from Palestine. He holds a dual-BA degree in International Law & Human Rights from Bard College in New York and Al-Quds University in Jerusalem, as well as an MA degree in Human Rights from Central European University in Vienna. He is currently pursuing an LLM in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law, and Conflict at the Irish Centre for Human Rights in Galway. Professionally, he has worked with several Palestinian and international organizations, including UNICEF, PEN America, Amnesty International, the Swedish Development Aid Organization, etc. He is currently a member of the research team helping Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, with her upcoming thematic report, focusing on the question of genocide in the Gaza Strip.    

This episode of Activist Lawyer sheds light on the horrific circumstances facing women in Afghanistan. As we approach International Women's Day, we ask everyone to listen to this episode where our guest Maryam, explains what is happening in Afghanistan since the Taliban enforced their oppressive regime in August 2021. Maryam discusses education, employment, mental health and women in law. Afghan women and girls face a truly harrowing future if the international community does not act urgently and intervene.  Maryam is an activist lawyer and mental health advocate for women in Afghanistan. *Mistake in recording: Sarah notes the Taliban regime ran between 1996 and 2021 – it should be 2001

Sarah is joined by Dublin based solicitor Cristina Stamatescu to talk about her unique journey to becoming a human rights practitioner. Cristina discusses the importance of balancing her day-to-day role as managing solicitor with networking, pro-bono work and opportunities to develop and learn more about the law and making change happen outside of the office!  

Human rights lawyer and law professor at Al-Quds University, Dr Munir Nuseibah shares his opinion on Israel before the ICJ, the importance of states joining South Africa's action under the Genocide Convention as well as activity (or lack thereof) at the ICC when it comes to prosecutions and accountability.  

Sarah is joined by renowned women's activist and co-founder of the Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling, Palestine, Soraida Hussein to discuss the impact of violence on women and child victims of the ongoing aggression in Gaza and the West Bank. For more on the film Soraida: A Woman of Palestine : https://genderandsecurity.org/projects-resources/filmography/soraida-woman-palestine Donate: Action Aid Gaza Appeal

In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by Tamara Tamimi. Tamara is a Palestinian born in Jerusalem. Tamara holds an MA degree in Human Rights Law from SOAS, University of London and is currently pursuing her PhD from Queen's University Belfast in international law and the Palestine question. Tamara's research activity focuses on settler colonialism, transformative justice, forcible displacement, gender equality, and aid effectiveness of overseas development assistance as part of policies of Western countries. Tamara has also published extensively in peer reviewed journals and edited collections on aforementioned subjects, including Development in Practice Journal, Al-Shabaka- Palestinian Policy Network, and with University of Gottingen, and Queen's University Belfast.     Previous podcast (maybe we can say that our podcast buildings on that one and put the link)? https://lawpod.org/podcast/international-law-and-perceptions-of-justice-in-palestine/?fbclid=IwAR1f8ymrMJ3qtGO9_Ya4zEXsYDfJqHilHgvq_ZkY9DZdo_gUs6BnSp-Hlrw   On genocide perpetrated in Gaza: Raz Segal, A Textbook Case of Genocide, Jewish Currents Omer Bartov, What I Believe as a Historian of Genocide, New York Times Center for Constitutional Rights, Israel's Unfolding Crime of Genocide of the Palestinian People & U.S. Failure to Prevent and Complicity in Genocide    On settler colonialism, displacement, and dispossession of Palestinians: Tamara Tamimi, Ahmad Amara, Osama Risheq, Munir Nuseibah, Alice Panepinto, Brendan Browne, and Triestino Marinello “(Mis)using Legal Pluralism in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to Advance Dispossession of Palestinians: Israeli Policies against Palestinian Bedouins in the Eastern Jerusalem Periphery” in Noorhaidi Hasan and Irene Schneider (eds) in International Law between Translation and Pluralism: Examples from Germany, Palestine and Indonesia Edward Said, The Question of Palestine Edward Said, Out of Place: A Memoir  Eward Said, The Politics of Dispossession  Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappe, On Palestine  Ilan Pappe, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine Judith Butler, Jewishness and the Critique of Zionism Rashid Khalidi, The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917- 2017 Rashid Khalidi, Palestinian Identity: The Construction of Modern National Consciousness   On solidarity, mobilisation and accountability: Angela Davis, Freedom is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement Ali Abunimah, The Battle for Justice in Palestine Audrea Lim (editor), The Case for Sanctions Against Israel  

In this week's episode, Sarah speaks with Professor Donncha O'Connell, Established Professor of Law in the School of Law, University Galway.

  In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by human rights solicitor and partner with Daly Khurshid Solicitors, Gary Daly. Gary discusses the effectiveness of activism and the law through his work on discrimination, immigration and social welfare and housing law as well as his time spent in Palestine, Calais and other locations where he provides voluntary legal support to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers as well as human rights organisations.  

Sarah is joined by employment law specialist Danielle Ayres of Primas Law.  Danielle shares her experience as a solicitor, juggling family life and supporting women facing maternity challenges and discrimination around pregnancy and related issues.   Danielle and Sarah highlight the importance of flexible working, managing menopause in the workplace as well as Danielle's role in the fantastic organisation and campaign ‘Pregnant then Screwed.' Follow the links below for more on Danielle's work and the ‘Pregnant then Screwed' Campaign. https://www.primaslaw.co.uk/team/danielle-ayres/ https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/

In this week's episode, our host, Sarah, is joined by solicitor of England & Wales and a California attorney, Honza Cervenka from law firm McAllister Olivarius.

Sarah speaks with solicitor Ciarán Mulholland from Mulholland Law about his extensive work on criminal justice matters. Ciarán discusses the criminal legal aid scheme in Ireland as well as challenges around policing, accessing justice and some interesting and extremely relevant cases he and his team are working on.   *TW – some cases mentioned in this podcast explore themes of violence which some listeners might find upsetting.   If you would like to find out more about the work and cases Ciarán discusses, you will see a list of articles below:    TACA – Extradition since Brexit;   https://www.politico.eu/article/ireland-poland-extradition-case-referred-to-europe-top-court-ecj/   https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/european-court-to-rule-in-november-on-post-brexit-extradition-requests   https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-alleged-dissident-republicans-appeal-against-extradition-1424491.html   https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2023/10/03/seven-judge-supreme-court-hears-appeal-by-alleged-dissident-republican-against-extradition-to-uk/     Threats to Lawyers from Far-Right;   https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66424582   https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2023/07/31/solicitor-representing-bereaved-mother-in-case-against-gemma-odoherty-increases-security-after-alleged-threats/     Dangerous Dog Act Constitutionality;   https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0620/1305964-dog-attack/     McGlinchey Murders & ROI Legacy Litigation;   https://www.lmfm.ie/news/lmfm-news/louth-coroner-to-hand-over-documents-about-dominic-mad-dog-mcglinchey-inquest/   https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/billy-king-rat-wright-identified-30117958   https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mcglinchey-family-want-answers-over-mothers-missing-murder-file/42359872.html                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/02/03/news/irish_government_urged_to_improve_legacy_after_concerns_raised_over_approach_over_dominic_mcglinchey_murder-3036054/   https://www.derrynow.com/news/derry-news/1258159/family-of-dominic-and-mary-mcglinchey-in-brussels-to-meet-with-european-parliament.html     Garda issues;   https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2023/10/07/garda-who-drunkenly-assaulted-and-racially-abused-taxi-driver-sued-in-high-court/   https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/judge-dismisses-case-against-man-stopped-at-covid-checkpoint-at-start-of-pandemic-1.4781691   https://www.noteworthy.ie/watching-the-watchdog-gsoc-investigation-6054964-May2023/   https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/gardai-involved-in-standoff-with-central-mental-hospital-staff-due-to-capacity-issues-1100276.html   https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/anti-gay-preaching-row-solicitor-accuses-garda-of-bogus-prosecution-after-judge-dismisses-all-charges-against-northern-ireland-trio-3743745  

Sarah is joined by solicitor Richard Port MBE who works in family law as a partner with George Green Solicitors in the West Midlands.  Richard specialises in domestic abuse cases and provides us with an excellent insight into his work and achievements in this complex and difficult area of law.   *TW: Please note that we discuss instances of domestic violence and abuse in this episode which can be distressing for some listeners.  Please note the resources below if you or anyone you know would like to seek support:   UK: Refuge https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ Women's Aid https://www.womensaid.org.uk/ Respect https://mensadviceline.org.uk/ National Domestic Abuse Helpline https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/   NI: Women's Aid https://www.womensaidni.org/ Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/24-hour-domestic-and-sexual-abuse-helpline Nexus https://nexusni.org/helpline/   Ireland: Women's Aid https://www.womensaid.ie/ Men's Aid https://www.mensaid.ie/ EU https://www.coe.int/en/web/istanbul-convention/help-lines

Sarah meets Dublin based solicitor Siobhán Conlon who is a human rights lawyer specialising in criminal defence and immigration.  Siobhán discusses the challenges currently facing her immigration clients including homelessness and difficulties around family reunification for refugees.

Sarah is joined by lawyer Aonghus Kelly who talks about his new role as senior adviser on prosecution of international crimes with the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) where he is based in Kyiv, Ukraine. Aonghus is no stranger to the podcast and provides listeners with excellent advice on working in the sphere of international law. 

In this week's episode, Sarah meets with solicitor Gavin Booth from Phoenix Law to discuss his views on the ongoing attacks on lawyers working on human rights cases.  

Sarah is joined by lawyer Christopher Stanley who is a litigation consultant with the law firm KRW Law.  Christopher is a widely published legal contributor and talks to Sarah about his legal journey from academic, barrister, NGO caseworker to legal consultant.  Aspects of Christopher's work discussed includes immigration, Northern Ireland legacy cases and historic abuse.      Please click on links below or check our blog for more of Christopher's publications.  1974 pub bombings: unanswered questions | Feature | Law Gazette “I AM NOT NUMBER 54". By Christopher Stanley. - Village Magazine Lessons from the Birmingham Pub Bombing inquest - Legal (legalvoice.org.uk) I reject your apology. I cannot forgive you - Village Magazine

This episode of Activist Lawyer features Maria McCloskey and Hilary Perry from the PILS Project – Northern Ireland's dedicated hub for public interest litigation.  Together with our host Sarah Henry, Maria and Hilary discuss membership, the aims of the organisation, current examples of strategic litigation and the importance of pro-bono work.   You can find out more about PILS project at www.pilsni.org  

Welcome back to the Activist Lawyer podcast! We had a short break to get ready for our next series! Our host, Sarah Henry, will take listeners through season highlights and will touch on what we have coming up for you over the next few months.  Please share and review our podcast and let us know if you have any written pieces for our blog, feedback or suggestions.  You can contact us on info@activistlawyer.com   Music by AlexiAction from Pixabay

It was an absolute pleasure to interview Ms Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders.  Mary discusses her fascinating career devoted to human rights and in particular, those defending human rights around the world.  An excellent listen for anybody interested in working in human rights on an international level.  We are very grateful to Mary for sharing insights into her fundamental work supporting ordinary people doing extraordinary things.