Grantee Partner
A leading organization in Scotland using the law to defend and extend people’s rights
JustRight Scotland (JRS) was founded by human rights lawyers with the aim of reducing inequality and discrimination. JRS works in partnership with like-minded organizations who share its vision of a fairer, more equal and inclusive Scotland. JRS does this by providing direct legal advice to individuals and organizations; running outreach legal surgeries and helplines; delivering rights information, training, and legal education; and contributing to research, policy, and influencing work.
JRS works across a number of policy areas including women’s legal justice and gender-based violence, trafficking and exploitation, disability and trans justice, and migration and citizenship. JRS operates four national centers of legal excellence, which provide the only specialist legal advice in these areas across Scotland: the Scottish Refugee & Migrant Centre; the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre; the Scottish Anti-Trafficking & Exploitation Centre; and the Scottish Just Law Centre.
Its newly launched social enterprise, JRS Knowhow, aims to increase public understanding of human rights and equalities by creating digital learning experiences that are accessible, inclusive, engaging, and fun.
In 2020 JRS launched JustCitizens: an advisory panel of people with lived experience of migration who are working to build a broad and inclusive vision of citizenship for people who choose to make Scotland their home. The JustCitizens panel has written articles, spoken out in the press, conducted community research, and presented their findings to Scottish politicians and policy makers. They also respond to policy consultations and serve on other advisory boards – all with the aim of raising awareness of how law, policy, and practice impacts the lives of migrants in Scotland and advocating for equal treatment for all people in Scotland, no matter where you came from or how long you have lived here.
JRS also works with migrants to ensure equal access to protection and support, and to counter discrimination and disadvantage, which can lead to destitution and homelessness. It specializes in working with migrant and refugee children, migrant women and girls affected by violence, refugee family reunion, and EEA nationals and family members in Scotland. Unbound began supporting JustRight Scotland in 2017. Its work advances our System strategy area.
We use the law as a tool to create positive change in our communities and to challenge systemic discrimination and inequality. We believe that everyone has the right to live in a more inclusive Scotland where equality and social justice are not just aspirations, but fundamental principles that shape how we treat one another, in our daily lives.
JustRight Scotland