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The first UK website to crowdfund public interest cases launched last month and reached its target to fund its first claim – the David and Goliath battle between a Colombian trade unionist and a British oil company.
Set up by former Linklaters solicitor, Julia Salasky, CrowdJustice is an online funding platform that brings people together to share the cost of taking legal action for issues that affect their community.
To submit a case, parties must have legal representation. They set the target they require and the site charges a fee of 5% of the funds raised.
Salasky said the legal aid cuts have made the need for crowdfunding more urgent, but that many vulnerable people have always struggled to access the law.
She said: “The courts shouldn’t just be for those who can afford it. We believe that there is enormous power in the community that can be harnessed to achieve legal change.”
Meanwhile, what is understood to be the largest public access case also used a type of crowdfunding to get off the ground.
Represented by Cotswold Barristers, a group of landlords challenged the legality of West Bromwich Building Society’s decision to hike its buy-to-let tracker rates by 2%. Though Mr Justice Teare found in favour of the building society, the group has been given permission to appeal.
The case was funded by the claimants pooling their resources, which were then paid into the Bar Council’s escrow account.
Paul Mosson, Director of Services at the Bar Council, said: “This case is an example of modern justice in action.”
A group of campaigners has raised through crowdfunding more than £50,000 to launch an advertising campaign highlighting the importance of the Human Rights Act. The move comes against the backdrop of Conservative Government plans to scrap the legislation. #ActfortheAct posters will appear across tube and rail networks.
The first UK website to crowdfund public interest cases launched last month and reached its target to fund its first claim – the David and Goliath battle between a Colombian trade unionist and a British oil company.
Set up by former Linklaters solicitor, Julia Salasky, CrowdJustice is an online funding platform that brings people together to share the cost of taking legal action for issues that affect their community.
To submit a case, parties must have legal representation. They set the target they require and the site charges a fee of 5% of the funds raised.
Salasky said the legal aid cuts have made the need for crowdfunding more urgent, but that many vulnerable people have always struggled to access the law.
She said: “The courts shouldn’t just be for those who can afford it. We believe that there is enormous power in the community that can be harnessed to achieve legal change.”
Meanwhile, what is understood to be the largest public access case also used a type of crowdfunding to get off the ground.
Represented by Cotswold Barristers, a group of landlords challenged the legality of West Bromwich Building Society’s decision to hike its buy-to-let tracker rates by 2%. Though Mr Justice Teare found in favour of the building society, the group has been given permission to appeal.
The case was funded by the claimants pooling their resources, which were then paid into the Bar Council’s escrow account.
Paul Mosson, Director of Services at the Bar Council, said: “This case is an example of modern justice in action.”
A group of campaigners has raised through crowdfunding more than £50,000 to launch an advertising campaign highlighting the importance of the Human Rights Act. The move comes against the backdrop of Conservative Government plans to scrap the legislation. #ActfortheAct posters will appear across tube and rail networks.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
