The first of its kind, this cross-border project was also created in collaboration with the Public Interest Litigation Support (PILS) Project. The guides cover the following areas:

• An NGO Guide to being appointed an Amicus in the Irish court system
• An NGO guide to individual non-court complaint mechanisms at the European level
• An NGO guide for engaging with UN Special Procedures mandate holders
• An NGO guide for taking individual complaints to UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies
• An NGO Guide to Judicial Review

Speaking at the launch of the guides, Eilis Barry, Chief Executive, FLAC, said, “I am delighted to see the Guides come to fruition. From the legal services that we provide, FLAC is aware of the need for such a resource to assist NGOs to navigate what can otherwise be a perplexing legal quandary. We are of the opinion that these Guides can be used to advance the public interest and achieve greater equality in the grand scheme.”

The Guides are available online on the PILA and The PILS Project’s websites. NGOs will therefore have easy, convenient access to the Guides, which is also environmentally sustainable.

Shamika Dwarika, PILA’s Pro Bono Development Manager said, “The Guides seek to inform NGOs about the legal recourses available to them. They contain practical examples in the form of case studies which will assist NGOs in understanding and identifying these legal mechanisms. By collaborating with The PILS Project and Arthur Cox, we seek to ensure that these Guides are a comprehensive resource for NGOs seeking to engage with the law.”

Also commenting on the launch of the guides, Geoff Moore, Managing Partner, Arthur Cox, said, “Access to justice is an integral part of our pro bono practice. All our lawyers are encouraged to use their legal skills to tackle the most complex and challenging social issues in our community. The All Ireland Guide engagement series has enabled us to apply our skills and knowledge to support the NGO sector. Through our partnership with the PILS Project and PILA we have developed important resources to help people gain access to justice and we are proud of the difference we can make together.”

It is envisaged that through engagement with the Guides, NGOs will attain a level of confidence in dealing with these legal avenues and potentially identify areas of research needed. Ultimately, the Guides seek to assist NGOs in providing a better delivery of services to those in need.

You can access the guides here.