Latest News

From the Margins, New Life: An Easter Reflection

From the margins of prison to the promise of resurrection, we witness hope rising in the hardest places. This Easter, we stand and reflect with all who wait in the dark—trusting that new life will come.

Our Christmas celebrations 2023

We’ve served more than 100,000 clients with quality legal services. You made this possible. We hope you’ll enjoy watching our video, join us in celebrating this milestone and feel proud of the impact you’ve helped make this happen.

Justice Defenders recognised by Nairobi Legal Awards

The annual event, honoring excellence in legal practice, awarded Justice Defenders the first runner-up position in the Civil Society Organisation of the Year category.

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.

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.

Paralegals in Kenya and Uganda receive training on bail and appeal procedures from legal experts

Magistrates and legal experts from across the judiciary have come together to share their practical knowledge. Ensuring trainees are immersed into the legal world, even from behind prison bars.

Law books fuel the defence

Inmates at Luzira Prison share how access to quality reading material has helped them prepare their defence for court.

Jane's story: From death row, to paralegal officer

As one of our trained paralegals in Langata Women's Prison in Kenya, Jane is enabling fellow incarcerated women to access essential legal services. Fostering hope for a more just world.

Annet spent 14 years dealing with the consequences of her husband's death sentence

“My husband committed a crime, so he had to pay for it. Though it put me in a difficult situation.”

Sarah spent more time in prison before her trial, than if she was sentenced

“Being in prison: days are like months and months are like years.”

Betty is close to completing her law degree from within prison

"Using the knowledge I have acquired from Justice Defenders, I managed to convince the judge in my appeal process, overturning my death sentence."

Release: Joseph Karanja, pioneer and free man

Joseph Karanja has spent 20 years in prison. He was arrested in 2000 and sentenced to death at his trial in 2001. However, in 2009 he was one of 4,000 prisoners whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

Gilbert Niwamanya

Gilbert, aged 36, is the Welfare and Rehabilitation Officer at Luzira Maximum Security Prison, Kampala, where he’s worked for the past 5 years.

George Karaba

George has spent almost 20 years behind bars. Arrested in 2002, he was sentenced to death in 2006. This was commuted to a life sentence in 2009. In 2018 he graduated from the University of London with a Bachelor of Law degee [LLB], with support from our Justice Changemaker programme.