Origin

Research carried out by Deloitte in 2005 found evidence of a need and demand for a dedicated strategic litigation project in Northern Ireland. On the basis of this, the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) submitted a funding proposal to Atlantic Philanthropies, and in 2007 funding was granted for a 5 year pilot project. The PILS Project was established in May 2009 as a result of this process.

Mission Statement

The PILS Project seeks to advance human rights and equality in Northern Ireland through the use of and support for public interest litigation. Public interest litigation is defined as the use of litigation or legal action which seeks to advance the cause of minority or disadvantaged groups or individuals, or which raises issues of broad public concern.

Our Aims

• Provide financial and legal support in taking public interest cases;
• Enhance communication and co-ordination between non governmental organisations (NGOs) on the use of public interest litigation;
• Raise awareness of and tackle barriers to public interest litigation and promote access to justice for those most in need.

Staff

The PILS Project has three staff members:

Project Manager & Solicitor: Melissa Murray
Development Officer: Marieanne McKeown
Finance and Administration Officer: Mickey Ghanni

The Project is under the direction of a Board of Trustees:

Chair of the Board:
Paul Mageean, Director of the Graduate School of Professional Legal Education at the University of Ulster, Solicitor

Board members:
Fiona Doherty, BL
Gerry Hyland, Solicitor
Samuel Pollock O.B.E
Roger Smith O.B.E, Director of Justice

Secretary to the Board: Brian Gormally, Director of the Committe on the Administration of Justice.

L-R: Marieanne McKeown, Paul Mageean, Fiona Doherty, Mike Ritchie (previous Secretary to the Board), Melissa Murray,

Mickey Ghanni, Sam Pollock, Gerry Hyland. (Not pictured are Roger Smith and Brian Gormally (current Secretary to the Board)).