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Strategic Litigation

It is increasingly necessary to undertake legal action to defend human rights and civil liberties against powerful interests.

Litigation can be the push that transforms community momentum into action. Fitzroy Legal Service has a long history rallying this support and bringing on the cases that support social change. This work strengthens the rights of the whole community. Bringing social causes before the courts builds awareness, social engagement, and can set precedents that benefit the community more broadly. Law reform work driven by affected communities creates opportunities for social engagement, empowerment and change.

Our work in strategic litigation includes:

Mothers and Children Program Application (2019)

We collaborated with K&L Gates on a matter regarding the statutory interpretation of the Corrections Act 1986 (Vic)

Doctors for Refugees

We brought the case of Doctors for Refugees Incorporated v the Commonwealth of Australia (2016) to the High Court of Australia

Children in Barwon Prison

n 2016 we partnered with the Human Rights Law Centre to successfully litigate on behalf of minors held in Barwon maximum security adult prison

East West Link Case

We brought proceedings that called the government to account on the accuracy of representations made about the largest infrastructure project Victoria had ever committed to

Bendigo Street Residents

In 2016, in partnership with the Homeless Persons Union, we advocated on behalf of residents involved in a seven-month occupation of vacant houses in Bendigo Street, Collingwood