One of the fundamental aims of any legal system is to protect individuals and it should ensure every one of us is treated equally. However, the legal world is intricate and full of complexities. These challenges can sometimes leave people unable to access the justice they deserve. Below, we look at how lawyers can defend human rights and act as advocates for change, justice and social equality.
Written by Grant Longstaff. Published 20 November 2024.
Lawyers’ impact on social justice
Whether its protecting individual rights or the liberties of a group of people, lawyers can help further social justice in several ways. The work begins with legal representation and fighting for justice for those who otherwise would be unable to. But the impact extends far beyond the courtroom. Social justice lawyers are advocates for equality. They can challenge laws which discriminate, help protect vulnerable groups and have the power to hold anyone who abuses their power to account.
Historical role of lawyers in social justice movements
The role of lawyers in social justice movements isn’t new. For example, consider the abolition of slavery from the British Empire. One of the pivotal moments for the abolitionist movement came in 1772 when Lord Chief Justice Mansfield ruled James Somerset, an enslaved man, could not be forcibly removed from the UK and sent to Jamaica for sale. Mansfield ordered Somerset to be freed and labelled slavery an “odious” practice, stating “I cannot say this case is allowed or approved by the law of England”. Whilst The Slavery Abolition Act 1883 was still decades away, the Somerset case is regarded as a significant moment in abolishing slavery.
The law was also at the heart of women’s suffrage. Richard Pankhurst, husband of Emmeline Pankhurst, was responsible for helping to draft some of the earliest women’s suffrage bills, and legal professionals who defended prominent suffragettes were able to highlight women’s inequality in a courtroom and push for change.
Modern day social justice and legal advocacy
As society evolves, so do the challenges we face. Social justice movements rely on legal professionals to challenge systemic inequality and protect our rights. Lawyers play a critical part in addressing concerns in areas such as racial injustice, gender inequality, LGBTQ+ and disability rights, employment, healthcare, criminal justice and the environment.
Some of the most recent examples of social justice cases include the Post Office scandal which sought compensation for hundreds wrongfully convicted of false accounting and theft, the Windrush scandal which found hundreds of commonwealth citizens had been wrongfully detained, deported and denied legal rights, and Uber drivers winning the right to receive a minimum wage and paid holidays.
Challenges lawyers face in social justice work
There’s no denying the challenges facing lawyers working for social change. In 2023, The Law Society found 64% of solicitors they surveyed reported “access to justice for civil and criminal matters has worsened over the past 10 years.” The problems faced by legal professionals include cuts in funding to both the justice system and legal aid, meaning people unable to pay private legal fees are left unable to access the legal support they need. This can result in the most vulnerable being discriminated against and unable to challenge mistreatment and injustices.
How to become a social justice lawyer
If you’re interested in working as a lawyer, and wish to bring about social change and challenge injustices, there is work to be found. You’ll find opportunities in firms which specialise in social justice, and many charities and organisations who act as advocates for the disadvantaged may need your legal know how. On top of this you’ll likely find many firms have pro bono schemes or partner with charitable organisations to help offer legal advice to those who need it most.
You can help improve your expertise by undertaking pro bono work or volunteering with a charity where you can put your legal skills into practice. It looks great on your CV, allows you to network with other professionals interested in social justice and, most importantly, make a difference.
If you’re looking to further your legal education in this particular area we also have a range of master’s degrees which could help. Our LLM’s in International Human Rights or International Child Law could be the perfect course for a career helping disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals. Alternatively, our Human Resources with Employment Law is a great way to discover the intricacies of workers’ rights, and our Medical Law and Ethics can help you protect patients and improve regulation.
No matter where your legal career is headed, we have the perfect postgraduate course for you.
