Our impact
Since 2009, PILS have been breaking down the barriers that prevent human rights organisations from using the law to achieve change.
Keep scrolling to see how we’re bringing local human rights organisations and legal professionals together to change the world using legal tools.
What we’re building
We want a legal system that ensures that everyone, regardless of their background, is treated fairly and justly, and has equal access to justice and legal representation.
Ultimately, PILS hope that through our work, public interest litigation will be easily accessible to everyone.
Building Litigation
We break down legal, financial and knowledge barriers for our members to ensure effective Public Interest Litigation.
Building Capacity
We empower the legal and community and voluntary sectors through support, networking, training and education.
Building a Movement
We communicate the impact of Public Interest Litigation to maximise the potential for positive change in Northern Ireland.
PILS has in many ways transformed the pursuit of justice and equality in Northern Ireland and continues to make a huge impression and difference in the legal world.
Trust is a big part of it as well, I think... It’s so important, because we can go to PILS and know that we're going to get trustworthy, very reliable feedback.
The difference we make
Using public interest litigation, PILS challenge systemic barriers, empower groups to champion change, and create a society with an enhanced quality of life and stronger and more inclusive communities.
Stop Whitehead Oil Terminal
Stop Whitehead Oil Terminal (SWOT) led a successful campaign to block the redevelopment and expansion of an oil terminal in Belfast Lough.
PILS provided SWOT with the comprehensive support they needed to start judicial review proceedings: direct representation from PILS’ Solicitor, pro bono barristers, and financial support for court fees.
The local council then conceded, revealing the value of using public interest litigation to hold public authorities to account.
In the weeks that followed, SWOT and PILS were featured across BBC New NI’s digital, radio and television platforms, casting light on what the result means for accountability and environmental decision-making in Northern Ireland.
Anti-Poverty Strategy
Eighteen years after the St. Andrews Agreement placed a legal obligation on Northern Ireland’s Executive to adopt an anti-poverty strategy, The Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) went to court, demanding that this promise was kept.
In November 2024, CAJ approached PILS for financial support to cover the cost of lodging an application for judicial review to challenge the Executive’s failure.
PILS have a proud history of collaborating with CAJ on anti-poverty commitments, having supported their previous (successful) challenge on the same issue in 2015. In addition to this financial support, PILS also connected CAJ with junior and senior barristers through our Pro Bono Register.
CAJ’s judicial review hearing took place on 31 January 2025. On 05 March, the High Court held that “…the inescapable conclusion is that the Executive Committee is in breach of the section 28E duty to adopt an anti-poverty strategy.”
Thanks to the persistence of CAJ and anti-poverty campaigners from across NI, we now have a judgment that underlines the NI Executive’s legal duty to act urgently on this vital issue.
Discover the support we offer
PILS provide legal and financial support for strategic, public interest cases which otherwise would not proceed.
Litigation Fund
Pro Bono Register
Direct legal support
Training
Join our movement
If you are a law firm, grant maker, journalist or an organisation interested in partnering with PILS, get in touch.
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