Activist Lawyer

Ep 103: Breaking the Chains: Challenging Modern Slavery in Global Supply Chains with Nusrat Uddin

Host Sarah Henry is joined by Partner Solicitor Nusrat Uddin, Head of the Public Law and Human Rights department at Wilsons Solicitors. In this episode, Nusrat shares insights into her work, with a focus on modern slavery, forced labour, and human trafficking. She discusses several groundbreaking cases she has worked on, as well as her involvement in Business and Human Rights cases, particularly those addressing forced labour within supply chains.
Nusrat Uddin specialises in public law and human rights, with a particular focus on modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking. She brings cases against central and local government bodies for failing their duties, as well as claims against those who have exploited their workers. In 2023 she was awarded Public Law Lawyer of the Year in the Legal Aid Lawyer of the year awards.
Nusrat also specialises in Business and Human Rights work. She has provided evidence for several US investigations into complaints against companies, from the fashion industry through to rubber gloves. US authorities have banned products from entering the US where indicators of forced labour in supply chains have been found. She believes the UK’s approach is far weaker and is critical of the Modern Slavery Act’s approach. Nusrat’s team have pioneered the first case against the UK authorities in relation to forced labour in their own supply chains, which settled with the government conceding and agreeing to improve their due diligence. The case was covered widely in the media and Nusrat was interviewed by Channel 4 News which can be seen here. She is currently building a second case in relation to the government’s due diligence of Uyghur made products in their supply chain.
Nusrat was instructed in the key Supreme Court case of Wong v Basfar 2022 dealing with diplomatic immunity in trafficking civil claims. The Supreme Court established for the first time worldwide, a current diplomat is not protected from claims of human trafficking. The judgment was groundbreaking with global political implications. Nusrat was presented with the 2022 Anti-Slavery Day Award for Outstanding Contribution to Reducing Vulnerabilities, in Parliament, for her work on this case.
Nusrat has a particular focus on improving state support for victims of trafficking and modern slavery. Last year she was instructed in the lead case, K and AM v SSHD [2018] EWHC 2951 (Admin), challenging the cuts by the Home Office to subsistence monies paid to support victims. The High Court found the cuts to be unlawful, resulting in victim support being reinstated to the full amount, and rebates being paid of around £1 million. She often advocates for safeguarding support and accommodation for victims who are facing homelessness and risks of further exploitation. Nusrat was profiled as Lawyer in the News in the Law Society Gazette for the successful case.
Nusrat was also awarded a Research Fellowship by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust to compare the UK’s models of support to those in the US and Europe, for victims of trafficking and modern slavery who are involved with criminal prosecutions against their traffickers. She presented her research findings at the end of last year and made recommendations to improve the UK’s systems. The research has been shared widely, including by Anti-Slavery International and endorsed by Luis deBaca who was the US ambassador for trafficking. She also gave oral evidence in Parliament to the Home Affairs Select Committee for their Inquiry into Modern Slavery in 2019. She outlined key issues for victims in relation to support services, immigration and the criminal justice system; particularly highlighting problems of victims being wrongfully criminalised by the police and immigration systems, instead of being correctly identified and protected. Nusrat is also currently instructed in a significant challenge to police policies in relation to this issue. In recognition of her work in this field, Nusrat was shortlisted in the 2019 Anti-Slavery Day Awards, for Outstanding Contribution to the fight against Slavery, in the Enabling and Supporting Survivor Rights and Entitlements category.
Nusrat was Highly Commended in the 2019 Law Society Excellence Awards for Human Rights Lawyer of the Year. Nusrat was also shortlisted as a finalist for Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2019, in the Children’s Rights category, organised by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group.
Nusrat has gained international experience having worked in the Human Rights and Legal Aid department of BRAC in Bangladesh, (formerly Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee) one of the world’s largest NGOs. She also volunteered at Al-Haq, a Human Rights NGO based in Palestine, building potential cases against corporations operating in the West Bank. Nusrat is currently a Trustee of Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights.

Ep 102: Activist Lawyer Book Club info!

A short reminder of the Activist Lawyer Book Club with registration details are discussed in today’s episode.  The next Book Club Meeting features ‘The Power in the People, Not the People in Power,’ by Michael Mansfield KC! Tune in to find out more.

Ep 101: Taking Global Legal Action – Dr. Gearóid Ó Cuinn on the Pioneering Work of GLAN

In this episode, Sarah interviews Dr. Gearóid Ó Cuinn, Director of the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), to explore the organisation's innovative cross-border legal actions. They discuss key initiatives, including climate justice cases and GLAN’s recent legal challenge against the UK government over its ongoing weapons exports to Israel. Tune in for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation about international law in action and gain valuable insights into how to get involved in global human rights efforts.
Link to GLAN: https://www.glanlaw.org/
 
About Dr Gearóid Ó Cuinn:
 Gearóid is the founding director of the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) where he is responsible for GLAN's legal actions and strategic growth. He is an adjunct lecturer at the Irish Centre for Human Rights and formerly lectured at Lancaster University Law School and was a visiting fellow at the Transnational Law Institute at Kings College London. Gearóid was educated at the National University of Ireland, Galway (LLB), University of Nottingham (LLM) where he also completed his doctorate which was funded by the Wellcome Trust. His academic research focuses on public international law, human rights and public health governance. Gearóid has active links with the legal profession and is interested in new avenues in clinical legal education, especially within public international law and the use of technologies in pro bono legal work.

Ep 100: Celebrating 100 episodes of the Activist Lawyer Podcast!

In this special episode, our host and co-founder, Sarah Henry, takes the hot seat, interviewed by solicitor and fellow co-founder, Jonathan McKeown. We’ll reflect on the podcast’s journey so far, what we've accomplished, and our goals for the future of the Activist Lawyer community. Are there any favourite episodes you’d like to highlight? Let us know!
Thank you to all of our listeners, podcast and blog contributors.  We truly value your time and your energy!

Ep 99: Domestic Violence – a reflection on the justice system in NI, featuring solicitor Anne Marie Featherstone

We kick off the New Year and the new season of the Activist Lawyer podcast with an interview featuring family law expert Anne Marie Featherstone. Anne Marie, a solicitor at Rafferty and Co Solicitors in Newry, shares insights into her legal career and her journey to specialising in all areas of family law. In this important conversation, Anne Marie and Sarah delve into the legal system's response to domestic violence. This discussion is particularly timely, given the alarming number of women who have lost their lives due to violence in the UK, and specifically in Northern Ireland, over the past year and beyond.
Anne Marie Featherstone is an experienced family law practitioner who works in Rafferty and Co Solicitors in Newry, County Down.  Her experience includes working on the law society for Northern Ireland Children Order Panel, working on the Court Children Guardian panel and on The Hague Convention panel for the abduction of children.  Anne Marie has a Masters in Human Rights and Criminal Justice where she focused her dissertation focusing on children’s rights in the youth court.  Anne Marie has great familiarity with the courts in Northern Ireland and the needs and assistance required for those who find themselves seeking support and guidance in the family law arena to include the area of domestic violence.  Anne Marie has been involved in a number of reported cases including McG v McG (2002) NIFam10 and in one of the recent post office Horizon cases in the Court of Appeal (2023). 
Trigger Warning: This podcast episode discusses sensitive topics, including domestic violence. Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know needs help and support in relation to domestic violence, please see the following links:
24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline (NI) https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/24-hour-domestic-and-sexual-abuse-helpline
Safe Ireland (ROI) https://www.safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/
Refuge (UK) https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
Police UK https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/support-organisations/

Ep 98: Michael Madden from Madden Finucane Solicitors in Belfast

In today’s episode, we are joined by renowned solicitor Michael Madden from Madden Finucane Solicitors in Belfast. Michael takes us through his journey into law, beginning as a junior legal assistant on landmark legacy cases such as Bloody Sunday, and evolving the firm into one of the most respected names in human rights and criminal justice.
Sarah and Michael also discuss the recent UK government announcement of a public inquiry into the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane as well as Michael's role in representing NI sub-postmasters wrongfully convicted in the infamous Post Office Scandal, widely regarded as one of the UK’s most significant miscarriages of justice. 
Michael Madden graduated in Law from Queen’s University Belfast in 2002, was admitted as a Solicitor in 2006, and qualified as a Solicitor-Advocate in 2009.
He previously worked for a respected London criminal firm where he completed his training contract.
 
About
Michael Madden is a qualified solicitor-advocate specialising in criminal law. He represents clients throughout each stage of the criminal justice system, from clients under arrest in police stations, through to the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, High Court, and the Court of Appeal. He also regularly represents prisoners before the Parole Commissioners of Northern Ireland.
Michael also acts as a solicitor-advocate for clients detained under the Mental Health Order before the Mental Health Review Tribunal.
He has a special interest in Human Rights Law.
Michael has attended the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in New York as part of a human rights campaign team concerning the independence of lawyers, highlighting the murder of Pat Finucane in particular.
Notable cases:
NI Court of Appeal
• R v Alan McLaughlin
First Post Office / Horizon scandal case in Northern Ireland to have convictions overturned in 2022.
• R v James Alexander Smith
First referral in NI from the CCRC regarding joint enterprise for murder cases in 2022.
• DPP Ref (Number 5 of 2019) Harrington Legen Jack
Guideline sentencing case in NI for fraud and theft where the offender is in a position of trust. It also gave guidelines for the appropriate remedy where a court has found there has been a breach of the right to have a criminal hearing within a reasonable time.
• R v Gerard Connors [2011] NICC 35
Successful application to reduce the tariff length of a life sentence for murder.
• EM
Successful application to overturn an extradition order to Germany in 2015.
Other notable cases
• Inga Maria Hauser murder
Represented man arrested for murder but received a “no prosecution” decision from the PPS in 2020.
• PPS v GK
Represented man in the Magistrates’ Court accused of being a “paedophile hunter” who received a non-custodial sentence in 2019.
• R v BM
Represented man in Belfast Crown Court who received a non-custodial sentence in 2016 for offences concerning bomb hoaxes and threats made to various individuals and airports in the USA and other countries.
• PPS v TH
Represented man accused of possessing a large amount of semtex acquitted in 2014.
• R v FC
Represented man accused of “sex slave ring” at Belfast Crown acquitted in 2012.

Ep 97: Katie de Kauwe - Friends of the Earth

In this episode, Sarah is joined by Katie de Kauwe, a senior lawyer with Friends of the Earth, to discuss the vital role of legal actions in holding the UK government accountable for its climate obligations. They explore significant cases, some of which have disrupted the fossil fuel industry, including the Horse Hill (Finch) case which reached the UK Supreme Court, High Court challenges over the government's inadequate climate plans, and other important litigation.  Katie discusses how lawyers collaborate with grassroots activists to achieve long-term societal change, young climate change activists and the relationship between climate change and gender inequality.
The conversation also touches on the rise of 'persons unknown' injunctions, which pose a serious threat to democracy and the right to protest. Friends of the Earth has taken action on 'anti-protest' injunctions, even bringing cases before the European Court of Human Rights. Finally, Katie provides practical advice for those interested in pursuing a career as a climate justice lawyer. Not to be missed!
 
Katie de Kauwe specialises in environmental judicial review, and also has expertise in cases concerning the right to protest. Katie was listed in the ENDS Power List 2023 and 2024 of the UK’s 100 most influential environmental professionals, and was ranked in the Lawyer Hot 100 for 2023.  Katie led Friends of the Earth’s successful Climate Change Act challenges to the Government’s economy-wide decarbonisation plans, first the Net Zero Strategy, and then the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan which replaced it. She has worked on several critical challenges to fossil fuel projects. These include Friends of the Earth’s intervention in the landmark Finch appeal regarding oil drilling in Surrey, where the Supreme Court ruled in June 2024 that end-use emissions from fossil fuel projects must be included in the environmental impact assessment. Katie also worked on the organisation’s successful challenge to the grant of planning permission for a coal mine in Whitehaven, which was strengthened by Finch and ultimately succeeded on all grounds in September 2024, including those aspects relating to substitution, international impacts and carbon offsetting. Katie leads on Friends of the Earth’s casework on civil liberties, including its live application to the European Court of Human Rights, challenging the use of ‘anti-protest’ persons unknown injunctions.  Katie holds a degree in Biology BSc (1st Class Honours) and converted to law through a Masters in Law. 
[Katie has previously worked in criminal defence. She completed her training contract in private practice, and worked in civil litigation, before joining Friends of the Earth in 2018. She was previously involved in the Colombia Caravana, and has participated in two human rights delegations to Colombia. Katie is half-Sri Lankan, and strongly believes in the importance of addressing the deficit in representation of people of colour in both the legal profession and the environmental movement.
For cases mentioned on today’s episode as well as the legal work undertaken by Friends of the Earth (UK), read more here.

Ep 96: Becoming an Activist Lawyer – Activism and the Law

As part of our mini-series on Becoming an Activist Lawyer, host Sarah Henry discusses highlights from our guest contributors when asked to comment on the relationship between Activism and the Law.   

Ep 95: Monitoring Human Rights in Palestine – Student Megan Sethuraman shares her experience

Megan Sethuraman is currently studying a Master’s in International Peace Studies at Trinity College Dublin. She joins Sarah on the podcast to discuss her recent visit to Palestine as a human rights monitor.  Megan shares her observations and discusses how anyone can get involved in advocacy and support for communities across the region who are suffering because of the escalating conflict. Megan also shares how her experience impacted her decision to pursue a career in human rights.

Ep 94: Immigration: Insights from Dr. Sue Conlan

In Episode 94, host Sarah interviews immigration expert, Dr. Sue Conlan about the state of immigration in Ireland and the UK. The conversation offers an exploration of various pressing issues, including the legal landscape, the impact of political decisions, and the rising tide of xenophobia in both regions.
The conversation touches on pivotal moments such as Brexit, which has reshaped the immigration framework, leading to increased complexities and challenges for migrants.
Dr. Sue Conlan has specialised exclusively in the field of international migration, asylum and human rights since July 1987 in both the voluntary sector and legal aid firms. Her experience includes legal casework, research, training, political advocacy, consultancy, media and public speaking on migration and asylum issues and wider human rights issues. Sue's research includes the link between immigration control and public funds in the UK, people smuggling and migration, and asylum policy and practice in the UK and Ireland. In July 2020, Sue set up has TACTIC Immigration and Asylum CIC to provide training to organisations supporting people seeking asylum or in the UK illegally.