Litigation for Social Change
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Our theory of change centres on feminist strategic litigation as a tool for social change on the African continent. We work with lawyers and social movements. We engage in strategic litigation as advisors to counsel, submit amicus curiae briefs and provide legal representation by acting as co-counsel before regional and international bodies. Our goal is to generate and facilitate the creation of a conducive environment for feminist strategic litigation on the continent.
Advisor To Counsel
We act as Advisor to Counsel in cases before domestic courts. We work with network lawyers and other lawyers who approach us for technical legal support. We furthermore provide assistance on case strategy development, strategic litigation plan development, comparative and international law research as well as commenting on briefs.
Amicus Curiae Interventions
We intervene in cases as an impartial party and our focus is on comparative African jurisprudence, feminist concerns and international human rights standards. We also provide research support for parties who would like to intervene as amicus.
Legal Representation
We provide legal representation on cases that fall within our thematic areas of focus and meet our criteria for eligibility. Our preference is to be co-legal representatives working with local partners where the cases originate. We understand that local partners have expertise in the relevant domestic law as well as a presence in the various countries where we litigate and where they can work closely with clients.
This applies to organisations and individuals who wish to refer sexual and women’s human rights cases to the African Human Rights System and international bodies. These bodies include:
About Us
Founded in 2014, the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA) is a Pan-African and feminist initiative with a timely remit: to strengthen strategic human rights litigation across the African continent. Essentially, we aim to change the way that strategic litigation is used so as to enable broader access to justice and to support those who seek to hold states accountable for violations of women’s human rights and sexual rights.
Contact Details
Contact Number:
+27 11 338 9028
Fax: +27 11 338 9029
Address: 87 de Korte Street,
South Point Corner, 7th Floor Braamfontein, 2017 Gauteng, South Africa