Using the law to transform people’s lives: Law Centre NI’s Annual Impact Report 2020/2021

In 2022, the Law Centre will mark 45 years of delivering justice in communities. We hope that our Annual Impact Report “Using the law to transform people”s lives”  tells the story of why this work matters as much now as it did when the Law Centre was set up all those years ago.

Commenting on the report, Law Centre NI Director, Ursula O’Hare, said:

“This year’s report is a tribute to our clients for their courage in pursuing cases that bring about wider change and for trusting us to tell their personal stories; to our funders for understanding the importance of what we do and for supporting our vital work; to all those we worked alongside this year in advocating for change and to the amazing team of staff and Board at the Law Centre for their contribution. 

We especially pay tribute to our dear friend and colleague, Ronnie Vellem, who made such a difference and who will be deeply missed.”

This report covers the first year of the pandemic and we hope that it shows where ‘right time advice’ can transform people’s lives when they contact the Law Centre.

Our employment law service dealt with unprecedented demand and we are grateful for the additional support this year that enabled our employment team to continue to provide advice for employees and advisers during the uncertainties of the first waves of the pandemic.

As well as our strategic cases which challenged unfairness in the social security system and led to important decisions on social security law, you can read about how early legal assistance from our team resolved people’s legal problems without having to go to tribunal or court.

Our immigration and asylum hub helps people and families secure durable immigration status that means they can get on with building their lives in Northern Ireland. You can read about the work of the Migration Justice Project and the tangible and meaningful difference it is making across Northern Ireland.

Please also take a moment to read about the important work of the Law Centre in training, legal information, quality and how we are working to support the next generation of social justice lawyers.

We hope you enjoying reading about our work.