The World Day of Social Justice is a worldwide observance every year on February 20th to raise awareness about social injustices globally and propose solutions and improvements.
“Achieving Social Justice Through Formal Employment” is the theme this year. The formalisation of employment will be emphasised as a prerequisite for reducing poverty and inequality.
History of World Day of Social Justice
The United Nations (UN) first announced the declaration on June 8, 2008, as a step toward a commitment to ongoing social justice and fair globalisation. The United Nations’ pursuit of social justice is part of its larger mission to promote social development and human dignity worldwide. This adoption is one of many examples the International Labour Organization has taken as a commitment to social justice.
Today’s world is plagued with numerous social justice issues – unemployment, gender inequality, and systemic racism are just a few examples. Through equity and equality for all, the day also pledges to promote equitable income distribution and greater access to resources. The United Nations’ World Day of Social Justice recognises the importance of promoting efforts to address issues such as discrimination, poverty, gender equity, and universal access to justice.
The Five Components of Social Justice
The dignity of the human being, the primacy of the common good, reciprocal rights and responsibilities, the dignity of workers and rights for workers, and last but not least, fundamental options for the poor and vulnerable have all been classified as components of social injustice in recent years. These five concepts are at the heart of the United Nations’ push for universal human dignity and equality.
A Solicitors Role in Upholding Social Justice
Actions govern today’s world, and each action is categorised as right or wrong through the lens of culture and morality. As a result, there is a lot of ambiguity and conflicting scenarios. However, society’s rules are in place to protect citizens and deal with them objectively without allowing culture to influence the outcome. This is where solicitors help play their role in upholding social justice through:
- Security: Solicitors give people a sense of security. They play a critical role in promoting social peace by applying the law in a way that satisfies the fundamental requirements of justice, namely, equal results achieved through fair procedures.
- Society’s Advisor: Prosecutors defend individuals and corporations in civil trials and ensure fairness in criminal trials. Solicitors act as advisors to clients, informing them of their rights and responsibilities while also guiding them through the complicated legal system.
- Confidentiality: Some of the conversations with your lawyer will be private, ensuring that a prosecutor working under the professional legal network cannot discuss your case with anyone without your permission, including the police or the court.
Royce Legal Solicitors, We Specialise In Social Justice
At Royce Legal Solicitors, we strive to use the law to bring social justice to the community that we serve. We work to protect and fight for the rights of individuals.
Our specialist social justice team can handle various cases under Public Law. Royce Legal aims to advise and assist clients on numerous legal issues. We also intend to apply these skills and experience in strategic litigation where appropriate.
The following are areas in which we can pursue legal challenges and litigate against large corporations to bring about justice:
- Making decisions about Universal Credit claims.
The Department of Work and Pensions frequently exhibits an excessive delay in decision making. We’ve also seen numerous cases where people’s Universal Credit claims were illegally terminated by simply closing their online claim without a legal decision or notification of appeal rights. If you have been affected by any of these issues, or if you have questions about Universal Credit, please contact us at 01706 655 592.
- Under the government’s post-Brexit immigration proposals, EU nationals will face difficulties obtaining settled status in the UK (known as the EU Settlement Scheme).
There is currently an internal review process with the Home Office for unsuccessful applications, but there is no formal right of appeal beyond that. Such challenges can only be brought through Judicial Review, which we can assist with.
- Possibility of obtaining housing assistance or welfare benefits
Applications made under the EU Settlement scheme are often refused access to housing assistance or welfare benefits by government bodies and local authorities based on their status (pre-settled or settled). The access is denied if this is their only right to reside in the UK. It is arguable that to treat people with settled status (who have “leave to remain” in the UK with no restriction on recourse to public funds) is contrary to EU law, which provides a right not to be discriminated against on the ground of nationality in comparison with UK nationals.
- Migrants’ ability to recieve assistance.
We frequently encounter refusals by public bodies to assist migrants based on their immigration status. Alternatively, there may be concerns about the level of assistance provided to migrants by the Home Office or local governments, which could be challenged.
- The standard of living provided to asylum seekers.
The Home Office will house the majority of asylum seekers pending a decision on their claim. The standard of such accommodations is frequently deplorable, as evidenced by several newspaper stories about failures in this area. If you or someone you know is having issues with an accommodation provider, please contact us to see if we can help.
- Assistance for Care leavers
We frequently represent young people who have been in care and are owed duties by their local authority upon reaching 18 years of age. We have experience bringing challenges to force Local Authorities to provide young people with care leaver rights, even if they do not meet the criteria of having been accommodated by the Local Authority for 13 weeks between the ages of 14 and 17. Cases may arise in which the child would have been accommodated by Social Services if the Local Authority had followed the law correctly at the time. In certain circumstances, it may be possible to file a Judicial Review claim if the Local Authority refuses to treat the young person in the same way that they would a care leaver.
- Service cuts in the age of abstinence.
With ever-dwindling budgets, local services are often cut by Local Authorities. In some cases, these types of decisions may be challenged through a Judicial Review claim.
For a more intimate and confidential discussion about your situation, contact us at 01706 655 592.
