Latest News

Building bridges with magistrates and judges across the Commonwealth.

Country Director of The Gambia Tim Bisong spoke at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association in Cardiff, UK in September. 

How patriarchal justice systems are failing single-parent families.

The law can be harsh and sometimes discriminatory. Around the world, people in defenceless communities cannot access justice and often don't get a fair hearing. Single mothers are particularly at risk.

"The participants are as passionate about learning as we are about teaching."

Having trained some of our paralegals in July, NITA Executive Director Wendy McCormack and Mindy Thomas, Director of Membership at the Tennessee Bar, share their experience of our work.

Our Christmas celebrations 2022

2022 has been a year of continued growth and learning at Justice Defenders. Through both hardship and triumph, we have grown as a community and organisation. We invite you to join our Christmas celebrations.

The power of performance arts in legal education in Africa

Legal education is often reserved for the elite, but our work in Uganda incorporates varied methods of education to steer legal education into a new, inclusive era.

A day in the life of a paralegal: Moses Dola in Kenya

Life as a paralegal beyond the prison gates is an honour. Moses Dola serves his community and gains a better understanding of the law with every case he works on. Here is a look into a day in his life.

An inside look into how we launched our work in The Gambia

Our Director of Growth Matteo Cassini how we launched our work in a new country, with new partners, during a pandemic.

The transformational power of legal education in prison.

Our law degree programme is trailblazing. Education Leads Milly and Brenda explain how we’re unlocking talent and educating a new, unlikely generation of justice defenders.

A break in the clouds: silver linings from 2021

Justice Defenders Founder and CEO Alexander McLean reflects on the successes from our year. He shines a light on how the team inside and outside of prison have overcome adversity through bravery, humility and solidarity. 

“I always looked forward to proving society wrong.”

Meet Phionah. She is part of our unlikely community. Her commitment to justice led her to serve clients alongside fellow paralegals, both incarcerated women and prison officers.

Expanding outside of prisons. Disrupting the poverty-to-prison pipeline in Nairobi.

The lack of meaningful access to justice impacts nearly two of every three people worldwide. The cost is greatest for those with the least. Our first-ever legal office, based outside of a prison, is a game-changer.

Catching up with paralegals in The Gambia one year on.

Hear from three of our paralegals in The Gambia, as we celebrate a year of our work in the country.

Poem: A call to bridge the path towards justice.

A message of hope in Uganda from Alex Byamukama.

A day in the life of a Justice Defenders Legal Officer: Kenneth Kugonza in Uganda

Kenneth Kugoza works in mid-central Uganda, helping those facing injustice. He shares how he spends his day across multiple prisons.

Allyship beyond perceived differences.

Three prison officers overcome perceived differences in service of those in prison. This unique show of solidarity is truly what makes the fabric of our community a unique tapestry of allies.

Reforming the Sexual Offences Act: securing proportionate sentencing.

Success as Justice Defenders paralegals ensure judges are able to use their discretion to sentence people convicted of sexual offences.

The unlikely activists. Reforming the criminal justice system from behind prison bars.

Success as Justice Defenders paralegals secure rights for suspects with mental disabilities.

Fighting for the rights of mothers with postpartum depression.

Rose, like many mothers across the world, experienced depression. With a lack of medical care, she was treated unfairly by the law. Thanks to our work, she is reunited with her daughter.