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NEW RESEARCH: Public Interest Litigation in Northern Ireland

What does a vibrant and supportive environment for public interest litigation look like in Northern Ireland?

This pioneering report by Lawmanity offers human rights campaigners, lawyers, grant makers, legal regulators and policymakers clear, compelling ways to increase access to justice.

QUASHED: Local campaigners stop oil terminal plan in its tracks as Council forced to admit mistake

Environmental campaigners in Whitehead, Co Antrim are celebrating a major climbdown by their local council after it admitted not following the correct planning process during its approval of major expansion work at a defunct oil terminal.

BLOG: Climate ‘Code Red’: How Our Courts Can Save the World.

Five things we’ve learned from PILS’ first Climate Justice CPD series, co-designed with the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

Taking the mystery out of using the law for positive change

Combining legal remedies with visible campaigning or policy work can be a really powerful way of holding decision makers accountable.

Check out our animation that captures all the benefits that the Public Interest Litigation Toolkit has to offer Northern Ireland’s changemakers!

BLOG: the part we played in the disapplication decision

Northern Ireland’s legal challenges to the Illegal Migration Act have grabbed headlines.

Read on to discover why PILS was proud to contribute to this week’s landmark decision.

Air quality campaigners hope new Minister will be a breath of fresh air

The landmark #CleanAirNI legal challenge returns to court on Friday 01 March 2024.

New PILS podcast goes live!

To Be Fair NI is Northern Ireland’s podcast celebrating the activists and allies using the law to change lives.

Created by The PILS Project, the series will bring you into the very heart of our organisation’s work.

To Be Fair NI is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Landmark challenge to stop 17-year long air quality failure underway

Friends of the Earth NI, supported by The PILS Project, are taking legal proceedings to compel the Department to recommence testing as soon as possible.

‘Everyday acts of peace' celebrated at Oh, Sister! Belfast screening.

As the Good Friday Agreement turns 25, PILS and The Nobel Women’s Initiative joined forces to to shine a light on the experiences of local women in peace building.

Telling the story of The PILS Project

Watch our members, Pro Bono Register volunteers, supporters and staff describe PILS’ evolution.

User-friendly guides on legal tools for NGOs

Developed as part of a cross-border pro bono initiative, these guides introduce human rights organisations from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to five legal tools.

A decade of impact: 10 key PILS collaborations

See what public interest litigation looks like in practice in our Impact Report.

Exclusive Q&A with Bryan Stevenson

The legendary US public interest lawyer joined PILS for a conversation about justice, peace and using law as a tool for change.

PILS stands for ‘Public Interest Litigation Support’.

We are Northern Ireland’s first and only legal project dedicated to helping local NGOs and legal professionals to build public interest litigation.

These are life-changing legal cases that create positive impact, not just for one person, but for communities across Northern Ireland.

Find out more.

Latest news and events

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Public Interest Litigation in Northern Ireland

Public Interest Litigation in Northern Ireland is the no-nonsense title of a new research report by Lawmanity.

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PILS’ Strategic Plan 2025-2028

Created by: The PILS Staff and Board, in consultation with Mandy Ayres and Monica Golding, October 2024

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BLOG: Whitehead, the oil terminal and what happens next

There aren’t many things that taste better to a public interest litigator than a Café Carberry* coffee after a positive...

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The PIL Toolkit

The Public Interest Litigation Toolkit demystifies the process of engaging in public interest litigation for human rights NGOs.

An Introduction to Public Interest Litigation

Litigation is simply the process of taking legal action before the courts, or another judicial decision-maker. There isn't a single globally agreed upon definition of Public Interest Litigation. Learn about how PILS defines public interest litigation and how to identify a public interest element in an issue that your organisation...
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Animation: The Toolkit is your guide!

Combining legal remedies with visible campaigning or policy work can be a really powerful way of holding decision makers accountable. Check out our animation that captures all the benefits that the Public Interest Litigation Toolkit has to offer Northern Ireland's changemakers!
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Pre-Litigation Considerations

This section of the Toolkit outlines the questions that your organisation should ask itself before bringing any kind of legal action. Your answers to these questions will help you determine whether your organisation is prepared and equipped to pursue litigation.
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