Hosted by human rights lawyer, Jen Ang, the Lawmanity podcast asks big questions like: How does human rights law really work in practice? And how have activists used the law to create real social change?
Every episode we will bring you legal summaries of interesting cases and one-to-one interviews with activists and lawyers across the UK who are using the law in creative ways to challenge unfairness and secure justice for people and communities who are excluded, discriminated against and overlooked.
We will also bring you insights about the people behind the legends, with inspiration and advice on how to build a successful career in activism and law – and what it takes to stay focused, be resilient and have fun along the way!
“We Can Design Different”: Law, Exclusion, and Racial Justice, with Pheona Matovu
Episode Notes
In this week’s episode, we speak with Pheona Matovu – activist, researcher, and co-founder of award-winning social enterprise Radiant and Brighter – about law, racial justice, migration, and the challenges of building systems that work for those most affected by exclusion and inequality.
Drawing on her work with people seeking asylum, refugees, and racially marginalised communities, as well as her ongoing PhD research into anti-racism practice, Pheona reflects on the ways law can reinforce exclusion and inequality, and what it would mean to design systems that work for those most affected by them.
Pheona shares her insights on:
• How law often operates as a barrier rather than a route to equality, and how legal systems can reproduce exclusion even while claiming to protect rights
• The challenges faced by people seeking asylum, and the tensions between legal processes and human dignity
• Why those most affected by laws and policies must be involved in the design of laws, and the role of integrity, humanity, and meaningful engagement in creating change
Additional resources for this episode are linked below:
• Radiant and Brighter: https://radiantandbrighter.com (https://radiantandbrighter.com/)
• Radiant and Brighter Anti-Racism Journal: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radiant-Brighter-Antiracism-Journal-Reflect/dp/1036954005 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radiant-Brighter-Antiracism-Journal-Reflect/dp/1036954005)
Find out more at https://lawmanity.pinecast.co (https://lawmanity.pinecast.co)
Read transcript (https://pnc.st/s/lawmanity/fbc0623a/we-can-design-different-law-exclusion-and-racial-justice-with-pheona-matovu/transcript)
22 Jun 2026
“Justice Means Safety”: Sexual Violence and Law Reform, with Sandy Brindley
Episode Notes
In this week’s episode, we speak with activist and former Rape Crisis Scotland Chief Executive Sandy Brindley about the relationship between law, justice, and social change for survivors of sexual violence.
Having helped shape the work of Rape Crisis Scotland since its inception and supported survivors of sexual violence for more than 30 years, Sandy reflects on the progress made in improving legal responses to rape and sexual assault, the barriers that remain, and the role of law reform in advancing justice for survivors.
Sandy shares her insights on:
• The ways in which the criminal justice system can both fail and protect survivors of sexual violence, and why efforts to improve legal responses remain essential despite the limitations of the system
• How legal reform, public education, and collaboration between campaigners and legal professionals can help challenge harmful attitudes and improve access to justice
• Why survivor voices must be at the centre of law reform, policy development, and efforts to create a more humane and effective justice system
Additional resources for this episode are linked below:
• Rape Crisis Scotland https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/ (https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/)
• History of the Rape Crisis Movement in Scotland: https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/news/blog/the-history-of-the-rape-crisis-movement-in-scotland/ (https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/news/blog/the-history-of-the-rape-crisis-movement-in-scotland/)
Find out more at https://lawmanity.pinecast.co (https://lawmanity.pinecast.co)
Read transcript (https://pnc.st/s/lawmanity/a83db702/justice-means-safety-sexual-violence-and-law-reform-with-sandy-brindley/transcript)
16 Jun 2026
Beyond the Courtroom: The Roof Coalition and Social Justice Lawyering, with Fiona McPhail
Episode Notes
In this week’s episode, we speak with human rights lawyer and lecturer Fiona McPhail about the campaign to challenge lock change evictions of people seeking asylum in Scotland, and what the Stop Lock Change Evictions Campaign – later known as the Roof Coalition – can teach us about social justice lawyering in practice.
As former Principal Solicitor of Shelter Scotland’s Housing Law Service and as a leading member of the legal team that challenged SERCO’s proposed lock change policy, Fiona reflects on the possibilities and limitations of strategic litigation, the importance of coalition-building, and the role of lawyers in wider movements for justice.
Fiona shares her insights on:
• How lawyers, grassroots activists, and third-sector organisations worked together through the Roof Coalition to challenge lock change evictions of people seeking asylum and defend their right to due process before losing their homes
• The possibilities and limitations of strategic litigation, including the impact legal action can have even when court challenges are unsuccessful
• Why collaboration, courage, and sustained investment in social justice lawyering are essential to challenging injustice and supporting communities facing exclusion, destitution, and homelessness
Additional resources for this episode are linked below:
• A Site of Resistance: An Evaluation of the Stop Lock Change Evictions Campaign:https://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Stop-Lock-Changes-FINAL-VERSION.pdf (https://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Stop-Lock-Changes-FINAL-VERSION.pdf)
• Volunteer with Shelter Scotland: https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_involved/volunteer (https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_involved/volunteer)
• Scottish Refugee Council: https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk (https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/)
• JustRight Scotland: https://www.justrightscotland.org.uk (https://www.justrightscotland.org.uk/)
• Living Rent – the Tenant’s Union: https://www.livingrent.org (https://www.livingrent.org/)
Find out more at https://lawmanity.pinecast.co (https://lawmanity.pinecast.co)
Read transcript (https://pnc.st/s/lawmanity/dc954748/beyond-the-courtroom-the-roof-coalition-and-social-justice-lawyering-with-fiona-mcphail/transcript)
Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
77
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Lawmanity
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
