Public Interest Litigation Support have been connecting local human rights defenders with pro bono lawyers through our Pro Bono Register since 2011.

Now, we’re reuniting some of those incredible activists and lawyers to share their unique experiences of collaborating for change.

This episode stars two experts who teamed up to connect the dots between policy, law and real life in Northern Ireland: Deena Nimick, the Centre for Independent Living NI's policy and campaign's manager, and barrister Wesley McGrady. 

Public Interest Litigation Support have been connecting local human rights defenders with pro bono lawyers through our Pro Bono Register since 2011.

Now, we’re reuniting some of those incredible activists and lawyers to share their unique experiences of collaborating for change.

This episode features Conradh na Gaeilge’s Cuisle Nic Liam, CAJ solicitor Úna Boyd and barrister Iryna Kennedy.

Their story, sparked by Belfast City Council’s bilingual signage decision at the Olympia Leisure Centre, is about language equality, transparency, and testing new legal ground.

To Be Fair NI is back with a brand new series! 

Episodes released from Thursday 13 November 2025. 

Go behind the scenes with the team at Public Interest Litigation Support, as we support our member organisations to build legal cases that challenge injustice, protect human rights, and promote equality in Northern Ireland.

In the second episode in our series celebrating the NI Human Rights Partnership, PILS visit the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ).

CAJ and PILS have a vibrant history of collaboration - almost enough for a whole series of episodes! 

Director Daniel Holder and Immigration Project Coordinator Úna Boyd reveal how tools like pro bono legal opinions and Freedom of Information requests have bolstered CAJ's policy & advocacy work.

Tune in to hear how CAJ & PILS coordinate their own organisational expertise to promote human rights in NI. You'll hear timely reflections on combatting toxic anti-immigration rhetoric, as well as discussions on untangling complex legal 'spaghetti' and staying hopeful as we all work together for change.

In this special series, we dive deep into the collaborative spirit of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Partnership.

Discover how four unique organisations  - PILS, the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ), Human Rights Consortium (HRC) and Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) are united in their pursuit of equality, human rights and justice.

Recorded the HRP's shared home of Community House in Belfast city centre, join your PILS hosts Emma & Hilary as they sit down with Alexa Moore and Niall Robb to reflect on a landmark collaboration between PILS and the Human Rights Consortium this past spring.

Remember the 'Go Home' vans? That 2013 Home Office campaign was a visible example of the UK government's 'Hostile Environment': a toxic combination of cruel rhetoric & restrictive law/policy.

Through Free Movement, barrister and blogger Colin Yeo has been keeping lawyers and civil society up-to-date on immigration law developments since 2007.

He tells us about that work & his mixed feelings on strategic litigation on asylum issues. 

Pollution doesn't stop at the border... so why should climate action?

Environmental Justice Network Ireland is challenging environmental injustice on the island of Ireland.

Dr Ciara Brennan & Caitlin McIlhennon tell us:

• how EJNI burst into life in 2019

In this thought-provoking episode of To Be Fair NI, we delve into the heart of climate justice, a priority area for The PILS Project.

Discover how PILS leverages legal expertise to support place protectors and environmental NGOs, and learn about upcoming court dates that could shape Northern Ireland's climate justice landscape.

Plus, find out how you can get involved, whether you're a seasoned lawyer or a concerned citizen in action for a fairer, healthier world.

In this episode, the PILS staff team explore:

• What the human rights infrastructure is

You’ll also hear NIHRC Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick talk about why defending the rule of law is not a game and how she remains hopeful while doing this work.

Series One of TBFNI is all about introductions.

In this first bumper episode, you'll discover:

• where our podcast's name came from (NI or nai?)

Useful links:

https://pilsni.org/our-team/

https://pilsni.org/toolkit/